After the previous experiences of good baker, not so good cake… and good cake, not so good baker… we ended up find a good baker and a good cake. We were so relieved to find SOMEONE who was neither mean nor dry (hoho!) that we were almost not going to go to the next interview. Almost.
Thank god we did! The cake was amazing, and we haven’t figured out exactly the deal, but it seems that she makes the cake in her own home and that she just likes to make wedding cakes. That’s it. She enjoys making wedding cakes - and so they are not only AMAZING but there is that kind of homemade love in it. No bakery, no staff, just someone happy to make cakes for couples. 
We love her, and her home, and had our last meeting with her last week. The best part… she’s $700 LESS than the lowest quote we received. So I’m getting two flavors of the best wedding cake we tried for 1/3 the price anyone else offered us!!! I’m tempted to get a whole lot more cake to gorge myself on after the wedding.. not that I haven’t been eating ice cream cake every day for the past week. My arteries are crying right now. And possibly my thighs.
We decided to go a very casual route, as the entire wedding is pretty much laid back and relaxed, and not get a tiered cake. Instead, we’re taking 6 cake stands, all different, and putting a single tier cake on each. All slightly different in design, all buttercream, and hopefully very natural looking. I love looking at those gorgeous awe inspiring cakes with skill and artistry and fondant madness, but honestly, I want my own wedding cake to make people DROOL.
The only last issue is that we wanted to get an Ann Wood Cake Topper - but she’s stopped making them. 
I’ll just look at this image and cry for a while, as I’d happily give a toe (probably the morton’s toe) to have this cake topper.
Anyone have any recommendations for something similar?
oh i love the idea of the different cakes in different cake stands! for some reason, i love cake stands and all the different styles and heights… yours will look like a candy buffet, except it’s a cake buffet! how fabulous is that!
Oh how I do love buttercream… I am drooling already….
her name is Nora del Chamberlin: (510) 526-8732
She works out of her home, so you have to call her, she’ll send you a brochure in the mail and then go from there. no website, but totally worth it!
does anyone have any pics of multiple cakes?? I’ve been wanting to do this too! 
There’s a how-to video on marthastewart.com, for felted birds (as spring/Easter decorations). Totally DIY. The link is posted on a prior WB post’s comments.
You can buy very similar birds on Etsy, and she’ll customize them for you: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6651779
I have a pattern that makes birds like these. They won’t be the same as Ann Woods, but they would be a cute alternative.
The pattern itself is from a zakka, and you’re the one bee who is likely to have access to the book in question. I’ll look it up and post the title if you are interested.
i’m so happy for you. we opted against the fondant as well as much as i love the way it looks — ick just ick. we’ll dress up our cake with our marzipan pears from http://www.marzipanworld.com and call it a day. i love our baker (who also made mrs. bluebell’s cake), but what a cool “home made” feeling.
Miss Gummi Bear, not to be nosey and off topic but…
Where did you get that cream and green rug… I love it!!
With you being a talented illustrator and your friends being good with sewing, why don’t you design a similar bird character, and ask your friend’s help to create it? Seeing you creating that 60 boxes of invitations I can’t imagine it being difficult to create only one cake topper, and you get to keep it and show it to your grand kids…!
On the other hand, I am sure you must have way too much on your plate already…
thanks for all the suggestions on finding other birds, we’re looking into them - and of course you’ll be the first to know what we end up doing.
Lollipop: that would be nice! I only worry that I’m not so.. uh.. skilled with sewing. Maybe I can bribe a friend!
CJ: anthropologie! 
I’m waiting until Mr. GB lets me buy a new sofa to match..
Irene: As Mr. GB and I just cut 600 pieces of 6″ ribbon, if I suggested one more DIY project he may make a noose out of it and strangle me… then again, he doesn’t say no when it’s too late to back out…
Hey GB, guess you’re a celebrity now: I just saw your invitation on an inspiration board! (It’s the 9th one down).
oooo! thanks cc, that’s awesome! I love style me pretty. I’m going to have to tell Lisa, she says people have already started contacting her because of weddingbee! I’m sure she’ll be totally excited!
That is the exact same thing I’ve been planning to do with the cakes - several “normal” ones on stands. Can’t wait to see pictures of your wedding after it’s over.
This is the book right here. All of the patterns are included in the back.
Miss GB–
The book is titled “内藤乃武子のちりめん手芸”. I think the amazon link is too long to post, but it should work if you search for the title on amazon.co.jp.
Can’t you contact Ann Wood, and see if she can custom-made one for you? They accept custom orders as listed on the website.
Or (this sounds crazy but hear me out :P) - can you buy the topper that wasn’t sold out, and transform it into the one you like? For example, if you purchase the bride-bride (Honey and Joy) topper, you only need to transform one bride into a groom by making a small hat, and take out the white lace. I know it sounds horrible because the topper itself is such an artwork (!) but that’s also one of the closest things you can do to get the bird toppers you want…
I would, but she isn’t accepting custom orders right now. sigh.
I would be tempted if it weren’t so expensive, and yes, I’d have to mangle one of her birds! Maybe if another bride wanted to go in on it, we could get the two girls and the two boys….
Hi Miss Gummi Bear
I am a very crafty person… I made my own Patch NYC type cake topper. I would be willing to try whipping up a Bird topper for you. I was able to buy an Ann Wood bird earlier in the year and can examine it for some clues. I have an etsy shop under the seller name oilpainta Send me a message!
Miss Gummi Bear -
please contact me about possibly making your cake toppers - I live in Oakland and your entire wedding aesthetic is pretty much exactly mine - except I learned to sew at age 6 - I think I might be able to help you with your cake toppers.
I just found these birds on etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6750838
These Lovebirds in a cage are pretty cute
http://www.candylandcrafts.com/images/120-492songoflovetopper.jpg
Where did you find those cake stands?
Ah, I, too, have a deep and undying love for Ann Wood birds…. Sigh. Nothing comes close. But tonight I came across these birds, which are oddly lovely considering their $3.99 price tag: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/weddingdoves1.html. The plastic top hat on the groom would have to go, but adding some high-fashion clothing from vintage scraps of fabric would be much easier than building the actual birds from scratch!
Those cake stands are all gorgeous! I also am curious where did you acquire them all?? PS you have such great taste!
Emily/Suz: a combination of ebay and anthropologie. I pretty much live in a cupboard in anthropologie…
[...] my depression in not being able to get the birds for my cake topper, I hadn’t expected a single bird to come to my door. Now I have 3 special secret [...]
Mrs. Gummi Bear, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 25, Japanese Importer/Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Game Developer/Programmer
Engagement Date: April 15, 2006
Wedding Date: October 13, 2007
Blogging Since: June 19, 2007
Venue: Organic farm an hour from San Francisco
About Me: I live for anthropologie, design blogs, sweets, japanese zakka, and vintage goods. We just bought our first home together and live with our two puppies and cat - it's a strange mixture of vintage, high-tech (we have 7 computers and 21 video game systems in all), and a whole lot of fur. Our wedding tries to embody the Japanese idea of "slow life", which is truly taking the time to enjoy food, company, and your environment!
So who is this fabulous baker?