And she sighs. What a beautiful couple, what a beautiful wedding. Right from the beginning, I completely clicked with Denicka and Andrew. I find that sometimes there is this energy between myself and a couple and I just know straight away from when they enquire that it’s going to be a magical fit. Whenever Denicka and Andrew would write to me, their emails would just light up my Inbox.
Denicka and Andrew had met in Vegas 7 years ago and have lived in different places around the world including Australia, California and now London. They may not have had the conventional wedding / marriage journey as they actually got married in 2022, then got engaged afterwards and had the big wedding celebration in July 2023. But they have completely owned their unique process and brought it to a culmination with a celebration of their love with the most important people in their lives, and surrounded themselves with family and friends at the stunning Kew Gardens to celebrate their union. Despite the weather being so variable this Summer in the UK, the sun really shone for Denicka and Andrew and it ended up being the hottest day of July in London this year.
For me, personally, Kew Gardens is a place that’s associated with so many dear memories from over the years all the way from when I was little girl to days with my own children. So yes, I may be biased, but Kew Gardens really is such a unique and memorable place to get married – such an iconic landmark of London with the most breathtaking glasshouse. Every time I go there to deliver a wedding cake, I feel so grateful and appreciative! The experience never gets old!
It was such a joy to make Denicka and Andrew’s cake for them – it doesn’t happen very often where I get to see the couple on the day but their wedding was one where I was lucky enough to see them and chat to them. And get to see their reaction during their first look at the Orangery all set up. They had a sophisticated colour palette, and an overall aesthetic that was simple and clean. Their long tables were laid with grey linen, dressed with smoke blue glasses and apricot tapered candles. The neutral shades allowed the colours of the coral, peach and blush flowers in the table arrangements to pop.
The cake itself was an ombré buttercream design with the colour of the buttercream graduating from ivory at the top and blending through to blush and then deep peach by the bottom tier. I arranged the flowers by colour so that the lightest coloured flowers were placed at the top to match the ombré buttercream. Hidden beneath the exterior was their favourite flavour of red velvet cake filled with luscious cream cheese frosting.
Here are the kind words that Denicka and Andrew shared with me after their wedding:
“Wedding planning is intense, having people like Vaani in your corner makes a world of difference!
Vaani’s warmth can be felt in every email response and bite of her deliciously moist and rich in flavour cakes! The selection of choosing our wedding cake flavor and design made wedding planning FUN and our wildest dreams come true!
Seeing Vaani on our wedding day was such a special moment, it felt beautiful to thank her in person for her craft and company.
Count yourself blessed to have found Vaani in your team! She’s a treasure! Thank you Vaani for all your love, support and commitment!”
Although the wedding cake is a small part of the wedding, it is also a time-honoured tradition that is yet to fade and is still so often at the heart of a couple’s wedding day. It has been 7 years since I made and delivered my first wedding cake and I am still so grateful to be able to do this incredible job. To be gifted with the joy of being a part of day that is so meaningful and full of love.
Thank you to the photographers at Taylor Hughes, Lewis Membery and Kamila Nowak for sharing their beautiful captures with me and thank you again to Denicka and Andrew for having me on their amazing team!
Photographer: Taylor Hughes Photography
Associate Photographers: Lewis Membery Kamila Nowak Photography
Venue: Kew Events
Celebrant: Roxy Celebrates Love
Florist: Blume Studio
Dress: Halfpenny London
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Rings: Rachel Boston Jewellery
Necklace: Vivienne Westwood
HMUA: Carla Francesca
Groom’s Suit: Dege and Skinner Saville Row Cad & The Dandy
Shoes: Crockett & Jones
Cake: Sugar Plum Bakes
Stationery: Liv Laermann
Catering: Create Food
Band: Flood the Floor