It begins with a Bang!!!

 

For the First few weeks of 2010 I was still officially on Holidays...but... my Gorgeous Sister in Law, Alison, and her fabulous fiancée, Joel,  got engaged just before Xmas and held their Engagement Party in early January!

I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Excited to hear when Alison and Joel got engaged! My sister Kate was with me when I took the call to announce their engagement- and she can testify my squeals of joy from hearing of the news :))  

I was literally bursting at the seams to make Ali and Joel's cake! It isn't everyday that a family member gets engaged, let alone the opportunity to make them a Kick Ass cake- just because you can! 

I am sure that it every cake makers dream to be able to create cakes that have no "boundaries", no budgets to adhere to, just free and artistic license to create a cake that really fits the occasion using the skills, passion and enthusiasm you have for the job.

Alison and Joel are some the loveliest and most genuine people you could met. They never expect anything, and are honestly grateful for everything they receive. Just because I make cakes didn't mean that they expected one, in fact I felt like I almost had to convince them to have a cake, and that it definitely wasn't a chore but rather an absolute pleasure to create.

So after I drew up a few design ideas, I spoke with Ali and Joel to firstly (without any pressure at all) see if they did want a cake- and secondly- what style of design would they like????

Keeping in mind that I have some grand and classical ideas swimming around in my head for the actual wedding cake-( I have even made mention to my Father in Law that we may need a ladder LOL!!!) - I thought keeping the Engagement cake a bit more whimsical would possibly suit best. Joel and Alison agreed. So I created a Funky Chocolate Tower cake for the engagement party.

Three extended height tiers- the base tier being a Toblerone Mud, with smooth honey, almond and nougat through a dark chocolate cake- the Middle level was a sticky caramel mud- super sweet and chewy- and the top tier was an Egg Free vanilla cake layered with vanilla butter cream. The egg free tier was included as Alison and Joel's next door neighbour cannot eat eggs, and seeing as she was going to be at the party she may as well enjoy a piece of cake too!

 

The cake was lathered in dark chocolate ganache before long chocolate chards butted together around the sides, and then a trail of white chocolate hearts (in varying sizes from tiny through to palm sized) winded up and around the cake before an explosion of chocolate lollipops came out the top. An "A&J" Chocolate heart plaque  in the middle of the trail on the centre tier personalised the end design.

The heart idea came from the engagement invitations- where a spray of mixed sized wired hearts came across from one corner on the design.. and from there the rest just flowed.

The party was held at Iceworks at Paddington- it was a HOT afternoon, but cool breezes kept everyone comfortable. It was great to meet more of Alison and Joel's friends too, many of whom traveled especially to be there.

Alison with her Bridesmaids Cheremie, Caroline and Elene

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of Alison and Joel together facing the camera, but here they are cutting into the cake :)  

I am very rarely a guest at the events I deliver cakes to these days,so it is really special to me when I get to see the cake cut up and enjoyed by the couple and their guests.

It won't be long now before Alison and Joel's wedding comes around in August. They have chosen a beautiful venue and the plans are well and truly in motion for a stunning wedding day.

Congratulations Ali and Joel! I hope you both had a brilliant engagement party- we enjoyed ourselves immensly and look forward to celebrating Your Wedding Day soon.

Lots of Love and Hugs

SJ & Stevie ;)