Mrs. Flamingo, Montreal, Canada
Age and Occupation: 25, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Nursing Student
Engagement Date: December 2004
Wedding Date: June 21, 2008
Venue: Imperia Hotel (modern chic hotel)
About Me: I am a passionate designer who loves anything pretty. I heart all paper products (eco-friendly of course). My passion revolves around anything considered glamour; vintage and modern. In my free time, I love reading Martha mags, designing jewelry and making a pit-stop at Starbucks for a chai latte. I'm also a chocoholic at heart and my family drools over my homemade truffles.
Cake Beauty… Help Needed
May 14th, 2008 @ 2:00 pm by Mrs. Flamingo
Because I want our cake to match our whole themed wedding, I thought it would be easier if I designed it rather than try explaining everything to our baker over email or phone. Depending on how many slices we will get, it might be a 3 tier or 4 tier cake.After looking at all the designs I liked, this is what I came up with: (for a 3 tier cake)
At first I wanted our invitation pattern on 2 layers of the cake and then a quilted design on the third layer (option 2). Very simple yet elegant. But then a weddingbee reader sent me a link for a chandelier inspired cake and I truly fell in love.
This is the cake… isn’t it stunning? I think there are too many chandeliers for my liking, so I modified it a bit. Obviously this cake is the inspiration for Option 1.
Cake designed by: I Dream of Cake
Image source: Zenadia Design blog
Which one would you go with? Would you make any modifications?
52 Responses to “Cake Beauty… Help Needed”
Oh my goodness, the chandelier cake is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I think it will get many more compliments because it’s so original.
Both of your designs look amazing. I really prefer the brown over the inspiration cake’s black, because the black chandeliers make me think of spiders.
I really like the quilted look in addition to the chandelier — is it just too much to do a layer of each? Like, Option 1 with the quilted on top? They’re both sooooo pretty!
I think I might like Option 2 with the chandelier layer in the centre. It might just be me, but I like the dark layers on the top and bottom framing the white layer.
I think the addition of the chandeliers definitely makes it more unique! Plus, it just follows your theme so wonderfully! The 2nd one is beautiful but more traditional.
@Miss Gingerbread: The chandeliers would be the same design in the brown like on my invites. Cuz I agree now that you say it, they can look spidery.
@SKM: Ya I was thinking about that. Maybe I should replace the pattern with quilted. I guess Im gonna have a part 2 
I’m all for option 1. It is totally unique and since it fits your theme, it’s just perfect. (and SO cool)
I love option 1–I also dislike having to ask silly questions, but how does the baker go about putting that design on your cake? Is it airbrushed with a stencil?
Where did you come up with the pattern for the cakes? Did you design it??
As much as I looooove chandelier motifs, I actually prefer the second cake. I think with the chandelier being so fine-detailed, the designs might not end up looking so “chandelier”-y from across the room. But then again, it would probably look SUPER COOL up close…
I think I’d go option 2 with the chandelier in the middle layer like pp said.
ONE ONE ONE!
@mrsbic: Yes, stencil and airbrush.
@snappal: Patterns are my own designs - which I used in my invites
i like opt 2
i’m not sure about the color but I definitely love the chanelier design.
hmm… i didn’t like the chandelier cake at all especially the one in the picture - the black and white is a bit haunted house like. I like chandeliers, but it is one thing to like it, another thing to put it everywhere….
I would definitely go with option 2 with your pattern designs on it - so much nicer.
LOVE the chandelier one. It’s very unique and would be a total showstopper.
I think the chandelier design would be better if you decide to have a buttercream cake. Option 2 would be awesome for a fondant design. You could do some really pretty textures with those diamonds too.
i’m not a huge fan of option one. i think it’s partly because of the lighter layers framing the darker layer (looks a little unbalanced). i really like option two but if you want to incorporate the chandeliers you might want to consider option two with the middle quilting changed to the chandelier.
I like the one you did, Option 1. The last one reminded me of spiderwebs at first glance. Despite that though, I love using the chandelier on the cake! I think the last one just might have too many on there (as you had said).
#2 is so pretty… but I LOVE the uniqueness of #1. And it looks so perfect with the invites.
I love Option 1. Having the chandelier pattern and 2 white layers lights up the whole cake and makes it stand out more.
Option 2 looks more heavy because of the 2 dark layers.
I’m glad you liked the cake, I thought it was a good inspiration piece. I like what you did with the design of it and I think I’m liking option 2 but with the chandelier thrown in, maybe on the second tier.
@Lillindy: Thanks so much for the inspiration Lillindy. I will most def try what you are all suggesting. 2 dark layers and 1 light layer.
I had to remind myself that you’re a graphic designer by trade - your designs are awesome!! Good job. #1 is my fave
I love #1 and I want it!
Tough decision, they’re both beautiful…I think I like #2 slightly better. Love the Feel script
Are you also set on the cake being round? Maybe something can be done with a shape more like this: http://abbyjean.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/03/18/tradition_with_a_twist_cakes.jpg
it’s the middle one on the bottom. There is also a Martha Stewart cake that I can’t find right now that is kind of that shape, but more rectangular.
I’d go with option 2
First off, excellent work! These are going to be helpful for your baker.
Personally, I like Option 2. But for your wedding, I like the chandelier idea. But I would have one chandelier (such as the top tier). I think it would feel more like a focal point. So my vote is for Option 1 with the bottom layer like the middle layer in Option 2.
i like the quilted layer as well. Could you do the chandelier at the top (after all they hang from the ceiling. The quilted in the middle and the damask at the bottom to anchor the cake. I loved the scrollwork and little plates that you wrote “RSVP” & “Accomodations” on on your invites. Perhaps you could dot he same but use your initals and place that on the quilted layer.
option two!! very elegant!
The comments remind me of when I asked which wedding dress to wear … so many strongly held opinions, but on BOTH sides! So ultimately, it comes down to choosing whichever option makes YOU happiest.
But personally, I prefer Option 1. But I’d suggest maybe using a slightly lighter color for the middle tier, to cut down the slightly jarring contrast of light and dark. Alternatively, maybe more of the dark accent (a ribbon?) around the white layers?
Overall, as always, your designs are STUNNING!
i like option #1. however, the modification i would make is replacing the top layer (mini chandelier motif) with the diamond motif in the second layer of option #2?
i like the chandelier, but it seems a bit much… I like nt’s idea… that way you get the best of both worlds.
what about option 2, but with chandeliers instead of the quilted look in the middle?
they’re both amazing options, though.
I realize that most fine detailing done on cakes is painted, but I don’t think you want it to look that way. I’d ask the baker. I think option #2 (sans chandelier) will probably end up being much more beautiful as a cake, and it still carries the theme.
I like Option 2. It’s BEAUTIFUL!
I agree that the chandeliers may be difficult to reproduce with frosting.
I am SO impressed with your designs!
Either way you go, it’s going to be an awesome cake, but if I have to choose, I say Option 1!
They’re both great & your inspiration is gorgeous!
Another idea: You could use option 1, but with the white middle layer of Option 2. That would give a more similar overall effect as the inspiration, but with a little break from the actual chandeliers… just an idea
option 1 is super gorgeous! i haven’t seen many of that design around. option 2 is more “predictable” and has been done a lot.
i like option 2 the best. the inspiration pic for option 1 is a little creepy to me…totally made me think of spiders and cobwebs. yipes!
Another vote for Option #2!
I don’t think the chandeliers will be done with frosting…or fondant…they would have to be airbrushed or painted…to get a neat clean look.
I like Option 1… is different but I can see how it could look like spiders and webs.
The chandelier design is way cool! It would be really neat if you are able to incorporate a chandelier as the cake topper.. You can design the cake around the topper…KLG
Maybe if not the chandeliers on the cake, them maybe as a topper…something small like this: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74951&PRODID=10020959
Option 2! I know this was already said but your inspiration cake made me INSTANTLY think of spider webs!
I like Option 2! Maybe you could still carry the chandelier theme by hanging a chandelier above the cake table? Just a thought… 
I love the chandelier one. The other one is very classic, but the chandelier one will really be special and memorable.
I love option 1. I agree that the third one is a bit too heavy on the chandeliers, and option 2 is a little dark in color for my taste. The first one is stunning.
I think Option 1 is fantastic. It has just enough of your theme for the WOW factor but is not overkill. Option 2 is nice but I don’t get the wow.
[…] couple of weeks ago, I asked your help in choosing my cake design. The response was really great, but the votes were split and now I’m torn between the two models. […]
