From the shoes, to the dress, to the personal touches throughout the reception; one of my favorite things to shoot on the wedding day are the details. But the one thing I REALLY look forward to on the day of the wedding, is the CAKE. I don’t really consider myself a cake person – in fact, if you ask me what kind of cake I want on my birthday, I’ll respectfully decline, and ask you get me donuts instead. However, there is something about wedding cakes that I absolutely love. Being photographers, we have seen the creme’ de le creme of wedding cakes; and today I am so very excited to share with you our first ever vendor spotlight, with Sherri Meyers, of The Pastry Studio.
Now, before I begin, I have to love on Sherri for a minute! We have been very blessed to know many amazing vendors in our industry, most of which are nothing short of remarkable. I think Sherri is one of the most well known in her field, and what I love about her most is her heart. When Sherri shows up on the wedding day, the first thing she will do, is greet you with arms wide open! Sherri is so very passionate about what she does and makes the whole experience with each of her brides and grooms a real pleasure. From start to finish she hashes out the details and works alongside her brides to ensure her cakes are unique, elegant, and oh-so-delicious!
I recently had the pleasure of going to her studio in Daytona Beach to sit down and talk with her. Sherri’s work has been featured in numerous well known publications, and her work takes her to the most pristine of places. She’s been a guest Pastry Chef on HGTV, and her edible artistry has been featured on The Food Network, and MTV. Oh, and did I mention she’s married to her high school sweet heart, and has two wonderful girls?! Even still, when I walked in, it was like meeting an old friend. We chatted for a few hours, and when I left — I left feeling inspired.
I’m excited to share with you all today a little more about Sherri and her business, The Pastry Studio!
SP: What made you want to pursue becoming a cake artist?
SM: When I met the cake artist who created my wedding cake, I thought to myself- “I could do that.”
It was a seed that was planted. After graduating from Louisiana State University with my Bachelors degree, getting married and moving to Florida. I wanted to continue my education. It was a time I could choose anything I wanted to study. I am an artist and love the purity of baking so I starting looking for Culinary Schools. I found a 2-year program in my area and trained and grew in the sugar-art field.
SP: What are your prediction on styles and flavors for 2016?
SM: FLAVORS: Oh there are so many great flavors that we make. My favorite is our Roasted Almond Cake brushed with Frangelico and filled with Hazelnut infused Buttercream and a thin layer of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Ganache. It is called our Southern Hazelnut-Praline Cake. (You can see her menu here: http://thepastrystudio.com/menu/ )
We have a Florida Orange Citrus cake filled with Orange Marmalade and Buttercream. It is so fresh and light. It is perfect for our Florida Weddings.
STYLES: The sky is the limit. I love using edible metallics, they make such a statement. Adding a touch of gold will change any design. Watercolor is another popular trend, which is so beautiful.
I love tone-on-tones that can be monochromatic or shades of color. Creating wedding cakes with color is always refreshing.
It is so important for me to create a cake in the style and theme of the wedding and my client’s taste.
TRENDS: Tall Glamour Showpiece Wedding Cakes- we are creating more and more grand wedding cake displays. The use of embellishments, such as edible metallics and beading, add another layer of interest at the request of our brides-, which we love. Often, we will add a fake tier to give the cake more height, creating a focal point in the décor. Backdrops are another factor that makes the cake stand out and gives it a spotlight. One way to add flair to your wedding cake is by adding custom linen, something a little different than the ones of your guest’s tables. A few things to include on the cake table that makes an impact is toasting flutes, candles, cake servers and a flower bouquet. This gives a rich finished look that will leave a lasting impression.
SP: What’s your advice for brides for choosing their flavors, and designing their cake?
SM: Use a professional cake artist so that you get a great quality cake. Usually it is the dessert for your quests, and people truly look forward to trying the cake at weddings. It is a treat for everyone and you want it to taste good. I recommend going for a tasting and design consultation if you can. Looking at the bakers’ reviews will help you find the right baker/cake artist for you.
SP: If it was anyone in the world – who would you have loved to style a cake for their wedding day?
SM: I cannot pick one person; I like creating for clients that have a vision or a defined look. It is important for me to have my cake be cohesive with the decor.
SP: What do you love most about your profession?
SM: I love my clients the most, and then creating for them is my second favorite thing about my job.
When I hear back, see a review or photos from my clients, that makes my day.
SP: Most favorite cake you’ve ever done? (You can only pick one! 😉 )
SM: My favorite cake is the cake I have not made yet. I am constantly looking forward to what I get to create.
Each client inspires me so every cake is different. I love making one-of -a kind designs.
If you would like to see even MORE of Sherri’s phenomenal cakes – you can visit her website here: www.thepastrystudio.com
Or become a fan on Facebook!: The Pastry Studio
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