We are so excited to be bringing you this months vendor of the month Becky with Sweet Art Cakes... We had been checking out loads of bakeries trying to decide which one we wanted to feature. Well I (Bridget) stumbled across Becky on Facebook and fell in love with her cakes. I mean if you just take a look you will see what I mean.
Just look at the cake she created for the Big Hearts Bash back in February for the Extreme Home Makeover here in Rossville. The work that goes into her cakes are evident and I must say I am very excited to share with you her work. Take a few minutes to check out her interview. She answers some very important questions you as a bride or just someone looking for a cake should know. Make sure you check out her Website, Awesome Wedding Blog and Like her on Facebook! Make sure you tell her that we sent you!
1. Name/Company Name: Becky White/Sweet Art Cakes
2. How did you get started in your industry? Why? Inspiration. I started making birthday cakes about 10 years ago for my children. I could never seem to find the right cake for their party; I usually wanted something more unique than the bakeries had to offer. I just jumped right in and starting learning to make these unique cakes, and I’m proud to be completely self taught. It grew from there into more celebration cakes and soon decided this was something I wanted to pursue as a business. I have always loved weddings and wanted to be a part of the wedding industry, having studied floral design and even considered being an event coordinator at one time. But being artistic and really loving to bake, I found my niche in decorating and it was a natural progression from birthday cakes to weddings. I think it was always meant to be.
3. What do you feel sets you apart from the competition? I really focus on two things: first is providing a great tasting cake! It is truly important to me that it tastes as great as it looks and I’ve really perfected my recipes into cakes I am proud to offer. The second is personal service. When you book a cake with Sweet Art Cakes, it will be me who guides you and your ideas into creating the design, bakes the cake, decorates it and then delivers it. You will know exactly who is creating the perfect cake for you, start to finish, and that nothing can get lost in translation from one person to another. The cake is a big part of your wedding and you should know the person you are putting your trust in.
4. What is your most requested item or design? I occasionally get the request for a non-traditional design, but most modern brides are going for an elegant and sleek look. They tend to add fun colors with ribbon and flowers, and square tiers are very popular, but keep classic elements such as scrolls and dots. The brides’ cakes are stylish and modern just like they are themselves. We can always add in the fun and outrageous groom’s cake! Brides love to suprise the Groom with a fantastic cake, so I tend to do 3D or theme cakes for the groom that really show their interests and hobbies.
5. How much time in advanced does a client need to contact you for your
services? I recommend 6-8 weeks at least for a wedding, although I have been known to book wedding with 2 weeks or less if I’m not already booked.. Spring and Summer Saturdays book quickly and sometimes 6 months to 1 year in advance. In order to devote my attention to your cakes, I won’t book several weddings for the same day. I really suggest that as soon as you have certain details such as the date and the venue planned out, start inquiring about the cake so that you are guaranteed a spot on the calendar.
6. What is your average price for a simple wedding or event cake? I really try to be accessible to everyone; those on a tight budget and those who are really going all out with planning the “platinum wedding”. Most of the cakes I provide are within $2.50-$3.50 per serving, and I don’t nickel and dime the brides by charging extra for each element. A typical 3 tier cake for 100 people is probably going to be under $350, including delivery.
7. What do you look for in clients? I think most of them really know what their style is, so I look for those who will tell me what they are looking for and really give some input as to what the cake should look like. I love designing the cakes based on what they want, I never want to push my designs onto them because the wedding is really about the bride and groom and their personalities. A little creative freedom is nice, but the cake should be about them, not me.
8. What do you need to know from your clients to help you make the
experience the best for them? I usually start with basics such as the type of event, theme, colors and guest count. Then move on to their ideas and expectations for the cake. If they want simple and pretty, they get it. If they want to really “wow” everyone, I can help them do that, too.
9. How long have you been in business? I started Sweet Art Cakes in 2008, so I’ve been in business for 3 years now.
10. What is one cake that you have created that sticks out in your mind the
most? I was invited to donate a showpiece cake for the Big Hearts Bash in February. This was a fundraiser event for the Sharrock family; the deserving recipients of the new home via the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The event was held at The Car Barn in Chattanooga, and I was truly honored to make the cake, attend the event and witness a great outpouring of generosity from the community.
10 1/2. Please tell us anything else you would like for everyone to know.
(i.e. tips, location, websites, facebooks, any press, twitter, blogs, etc.)
Although located in Dayton, my studio is convenient to Chattanooga, Cleveland, and the surrounding areas so I cover a wide range in which I am able to deliver to. Also, it is a short drive for clients to come in person for a consult.
I’ve also recently started a blog which will focus on weddings and hopefully pass some ideas and money saving tips on to Chattanooga area brides. www.SavetheDateGuide.Blogspot.com
