2015 Wedding Cake Trends : Organically Styled Florals

It’s day six of our brand new cake series – The 2015 Wedding Cake Preview!  We’re spending two weeks oohing and aahing over marvelous cake designs and getting the scoop on 2015 cake trends from the ladies who know.  Top cake designers were asked to predict which cake trends will be hot in 2015.  Based on their insights, this talented group got busy creating innovative new cakes, exclusively for this cake series and especially for you!  I hope you’ll join us as we debut a new trend-inspired design each day.  At any point, you can catch up with the entire cake series HERE.

Let’s move on to cake number six!  Our sixth design showcases a wedding trend that we see moving into the cake world in 2015 – organically styled florals.  These loose floral arrangements are filled with seasonal blooms, creating a sense of movement and natural beauty.  We love their unique mix of character and moodiness, charm and personality.  Today’s cake recreates this gorgeous look out of chocolate!

The sixth cake in our series comes to us from Erin Gardner of Erin Bakes (formerly known as Wild Orchid Baking Co).  Erin has been one of our go-to sources for design inspiration since 2012 with stunning and on-trend creations like her pretty black cake and her rainbow heart cake, which became an instant classic.  Since joining us as a contributor, Erin has taught us so many of her clever techniques as well.  We loved learning how to build a cake like a pro and what to do with those extra cake scraps.  Erin has taught us how to stamp a rose cake with celery and how to make chocolate poinsettias using a knife!  She is always bringing us something insanely creative, all of which you can catch right HERE.

Today Erin is amazing us with lush flowers that are as delicious as they are gorgeous.  Made from chocolate and colored cocoa butters, these blooms and berries look as though they were found on a local hillside and selectively gathered into a modern bouquet.  Filled with texture and rich hues, they are an edible version of the organically styled forals that 2015 brides crave.

Erin Gardner of Erin Bakes shares the inspiration for her design:

“When I meet with couples to design their wedding cake I always try to get an idea of what the overall feeling for the day will be.  I’ll ask about what they’re wearing, the colors, textures, linens, and most importantly (to me) – the florals.  Over the past few years wedding florals have begun to change shape.  Structured, overly symmetrical arrangements are making way for loose, asymmetrical arrangements composed of interesting flower combinations and lots of greenery.  Floral designers like Saipua and Amy Merrick are at the forefront of this trend, with arrangements and bouquets appearing in all of the major bridal publications and blogs.  The look is eclectic, a touch bohemian, but still composed and refined – even a bit regal.

This floral trend also goes hand-in-hand with the broader trend of couples being concerned with where their food comes from and the quality of every detail.  Presenting an exciting challenge to decorators to find new ways to create designs that reflect a refined aesthetic while being composed of entirely edible and delicious materials.”

Erin Gardner of Erin Bakes tells us about her technique:

“For my design, I finished the cake with ganache and applied a purposefully rough layer of edible silver leaf to mimic the rusted finish of a antique urn.  The floral arrangement is created entirely from sculpted solid chocolate, white chocolate, and colored cocoa butters.  The florals chosen reflect the inspiration picture, but also what might be available in my local area in the summer months.  The completed design is fresh, modern, and completely edible (and delicious) while still being elegant and a touch glam.”

VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake : Erin Bakes
Inspiration Florals : Amy Merrick
Cake Stand : Sarah’s Stands
Learn From This Baker : Erin Gardner’s Chocolate Flowers Class online at Craftsy