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A while back, I mentioned my grand plans to make my own wedding cake. Well, ladies and gents (light on the gents), I present to you my wedding cake:
Now, before you make fun, I know that this cake is far from perfect. In fact, when I arrived to set it up, I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed about it – what kind of bride makes her own cake? And if it weren’t for my overwhelming stubbornness, I most certainly would not do it again. But now that it’s in the past, I can’t help but feel a wee bit happy with the results. Despite its imperfections – nay, GLARING issues – I think our guests really appreciated the personal touch, and it gave them something to talk about (mainly along the lines of – isn’t Mrs. BG a nutcase?!).
I think I had promised a long series of flavor taste tests – and although I conducted three in total, I only got my lazy bum around to blogging about the first. So let me skip to the winners:
This was the flavor I ended up using for the base layer of the cake – pound cake with strawberry pie filling and white chocolate ganache (my fave). Actually, that was the plan. But after going to a second supermarket the Wednesday before the wedding (because the first didn’t have pound cake mix) and finding that this one did not carry strawberry pie filling, I ended up making it raspberry. I think it turned out for the better.
This was Mr. BG’s favorite – strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. Originally, this was just going to be the smallest layer, and I was going to make the middle an apple cider spice cake (winner of the first flavor test), but Mr. BG didn’t like the idea of getting the smallest layer – and when I got lazy, I just decided to make both the middle and top layers the same flavor.
I will blog at some point soon about the cost and logistics (I need to do some calculating), but let me just summarize by saying – do not attempt unless you already have experience and/or supplies.
With that, here are some more pictures of my baby…
The top – let’s call these “interpretations” of calla lilies, made out of gum paste:
In a different light you can REEEALLY see all the bumps:
And from this angle, you can see the slant J:
But here she is again:
And here she is in action:
Has anyone else attempted their own cake?
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Don’t be so self-critical! It’s a beautiful cake, and I can’t believe you made it yourself!
I think it’s really cute! If this is your first time making such a cake, I wouldn’t be too harsh on yourself. I am really impressed with the red cut outs (no idea of what their “formal” name is)! As long as it was tasty, I’m sure that no one minded! 
Your cake is absolutely gorgeous! You did a fantastic job. I am so impressed with your work — and that you made it all yourself! I’m sure you’ll look back on it and be so pleased that you did. I also think it’s a good to embrace the imperfections in things (wabi sabi) that’s what makes them handmade and unique!
i think it’s amazing. i saw the picture, said “oh, wow!” and then read “now, before you make fun…” i certainly did not make fun.
i think it is very impressive that you made your own cake, and i’m sure guests talked about how impressed they were instead of about you being crazy or not. 
I am TOTALLY awed by your cake making/decorating skills. Great job!
How did you learn to make the flowers and the middle layer decorations??
Again, I am MAD impressed!
wow, that is AWESOME! you are like the definition of a superbride…how did you find the time to do this?! that is super amazing/impressive!!
GOOD JOB!
I’m not making my own, only because my best friend called me nutty when I suggested it BUT… she is going to make it! Yay! We are both quite the bakers and have all the requisite cookbooks and supplies (or know where to find them in NYC) so it should be a fun task: Me taster, she: baker!
I like it A LOT!!!
The flaws must have been more noticeable in person than they are in pictures (though I doubt it!) for you to write about it as you did. I think it’s awesome and didn’t even think to make fun of it!!! In fact, I didn’t even notice the bumps or slant until you showed the close-up shots AND commented on it. Great Job Mrs. BG!!
Mrs. BG, I think your cake is awesome! You really did a great job!
great job! I’m not making the cake but I’m making my dress, bridesmaid’s/flower girl dresses, the invites… I know how you feel! It looks amazing and you’ll have such fun memories to look back on.
I think your cake looks beautiful! (And seriously, because it isn’t perfectly smooth, it looks a little more delicious. There’s something about picture perfect cakes that remind me a little too much of styrofoam.)
Whoa. I can’t believe you made that cake! It looks seriously awesome. When I saw your pictures I thought ‘oh, I guess she gave up on the plan to make it herself’. You should pat yourself on the back for that one bubblegum!
that is incredibly ambitious and what an accomplishment! very impressive!!!
I am so incredibly impressed. The cake is beautiful and you should be so proud. Congrats
Don’t be silly that cake is all sorts of awesome!!! I think it’s better than my one and I paid over $330 for a small 2 layer cake.
I now feel inspired to give wedding cake baking a go. It’s too late for myself but if I could make one that even came close to looking like yours I know my friends would be like wow!
You know what? It’s not perfect, but it’s lovely, and I bet it tasted delicious. And the fact that you cared enough to give so much time and effort of yourself to make your own wedding cake is awesome. I’m making my wedding cupcakes!
Aw, that is so cute. You can tell the bumps but it just made me smile. Great cake!
I agree with the comment that too-perfect cakes look like styrofoam. Plus, I’ve had wedding cakes that tasted like styrofoam. YUCK! But your cake looked yummmmmy!
I think I’m going to try making my own cake. Some people to whom I’ve suggested this idea tell me that I’m nuts. But … I don’t really care for the embellishments, fondant flowers, etc, personally. And the cost of even very simple cakes is quite high. I just want a tall, simple cake. I’m going to make it with fake tiers, so that only the base is real cake, the rest is just iced-styrofoam. I just hope no one eats the styrofoam layers!
Don’t be embarrassed, be proud! I think your cake is beautiful.
Your cake looks amazing and delicious! At first glance, when I saw your post I thought the same thing as Miss Tiramisu. So be proud of yourself because not many people could do what you did. I’m still awed how were able to do all that baking and decorating and still look absolutely gorgeous on your big day
OMG your cake is so cute! I love the red designs and I did not see any problems with it at all. If there were bumps, it only made it cooler because YOU DID THAT YOURSELF!! You go girl!
Having stayed up for hours the night before the wedding making the cake topper — I can only blink in astonishment that you made your own cake! Good job.
I’m with everyone else! Don’t be nearly so hard on yourself. It looks great, your love went into it, and I bet it cost 1/100th of the regular price! If you’re upset about it being “imperfect”, remember that most people don’t even look (closely) at the cake. It’s just a detail! Revel in your creativity and ambition. You’re awesome!
Awww, you guys are all so sweet!! More to come on logistics!!
I think this cake is fabulous. Don’t even begin to worry about what you see as imperfections- I have seen a few professional cakes with actual flaws. And many pro cakes that tilt a bit. You did a GREAT job with yours. And I am sure your guests really appreciated this personal touch.
The cake looks great! I love the colors and the pattern on the middle tier! Wonderful work!
i think it’s perfect. this is your first time? i have to say.. you are so goal oriented. i would never attempt to do my own. i messed up boiled eggs before. kudos!
wow…great wedding cake. I dont think you’re crazy to attemp to bake the wedding cake. Just your personalized touch..and it looks perfect…how about passing on the ingredients and all whole nine yards about baking the cake…how did you make the flowers like that!? Wow takes lots of talent, time and patience to bake the cake ..
WOW, I am really, really, really impressed! It looks so yummy and I love the personal touch! I love that it is gorgeous but still has a touch of the homemade look. It actually looks edible, while most wedding cakes look fake to me, like the plastic sushi in the windows of some sushi joints, lol!
I think your cake looks great!
I also did my own cake based upon stubbornness as well… My aunt offered to buy me one like the week prior to the wedding and well. I just kept saying NOOOO…
I did buy the chocolate shells on the cake b/c I burn chocolate every time I try to melt it. LOL
oops here’s pics
http://bp1.blogger.com/_xTLZc6RqPhg/SAxrMyUs14I/AAAAAAAAAK8/aKLnC40e0yw/s320/4.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v232/17/118/626350297/n626350297_2941098_3517.jpg
Kudos to you! I am so impressed. I’m still trying to master the birthday cake, let alone my own wedding cake. How fabulous…
i can’t believe you made that yourself! it looked fantastic! great job!
I think your cake looks GORGEOUS. Homemade always tastes better anyhow and when you’ve got baking skills, why spend good $$ on a cake when you’d always have a voice in the back of your mind telling you thatyou could have done it all along? ; )
Can you tell I’m an insane bride who is making my wedding cupcakes at my destination wedding fiji? Eeeck. Ok, yes I’m insane, but I’m not so insane as to attempt a full 3 tiered wedding cake in an unknown oven. Well, I’ve done that twice before for my friends’ weddings, but for my own day- I know my limits. LOVE the middle layer decorations- feels very Tjord Boontje…well done!
[...] Part 1: To Bake a Cake [...]
The cake looks soooo yummy. I would have my name on the strawberry and creamcheese icing layer. Wow. I need cake now. Honestly, I like the look of your homemade “imperfect” cake over the look of professional cakes. They always look fake, and usually taste yucky too.
High five to your cake baking prowess!
I was thinking of attempting a small 2 layer cake for my wedding for people who want an option besides ice cream sundaes.
What were the dimensions of the cake pans you used?
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Mrs. Bubblegum, Exeter, NH
Age and Occupation: 24, Actuarial Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Ressearch & Development
Engagement Date: February 9, 2007
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: November 2, 2007
Venue: Dunegrass Golf Club
About Me: I can be summed up by the four things I love most: kitties, cheese, math, and Mr. Bubblegum. I am knee-deep in DIY projects to keep wedding costs low but quality high for the special day when I get to marry my bestest friend.
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