Wedding Cakes and Makes by Penny Belle

After having my head turned by some of Penny Belle’s amazing cakes and creations, I caught up with designer Nicola Spencer to learn a little bit more about her business and what she can offer couples who are planning their special day. I love the way Nicola has picked her business name. Wanting a name with personal meaning Penny Belle is a blend of her two daughters names, ‘Penny’ from Penelope and ‘Belle’ from Lolabelle.

Image by Clare Oldham Photography

Nicola was kind enough to give me the story behind Penny Belle and described the passion and excitement that she had as a child for making and baking with her mother. It was this first taste of creativity that led her to study for a degree in fashion design, specialising in womenswear tailoring at London College of Fashion. Upon graduating Nicola went to work for a drinks company and became involved in a career which was very different from her studies. However she continued with her hobbies and true passion for sewing and baking in her spare time.

Some of Nicola’s handy work. Image courtesy of Penny Belle

After having her first daughter Nicola found that it was very hard to find unique items on the high street to theme her little girls birthday parties. This gave her the inspiration to create her own pieces and she set about making themed party accessories and cakes. Family and friends loved her designs and told her that she should try selling her products. In 2011 an opportunity arose for her to do just that and she felt that it was the right time for a career change. She wanted to be able to do something that would enable her to spend more time with her two daughters, and so Penny Belle was launched.

Here is a little quote from Nicola that reflects the motivation behind Penny Belle.

“I love different colours and prints and I get inspiration from all things around me. I love what can be made with fabric and with cake. From the start of cutting the fabric or mixing the ingredients, to seeing the finished product and the reactions I get from my children and my customers of what I have created. I love what I do and I know this is what I was meant to do. It is lovely now to have the creative career I have always dreamt of and time for my family, it’s very important to me to have that balance.”

Stall at Bridal Chic in the City Bridal Fayre. Images by Clare Oldham Photography

If you love Penny Belle’s wedding cakes as much as I do then Nicola can sketch and design the perfect cake with you so that the theme and colour scheme is just right for your big day. Cakes are available in all varieties including tiered cakes, character cakes, mini cakes, cookiepops, cupcakes, cakepops and cakepop towers. They can be made in a number of different flavours too. Cakepops and cupcakes also work well as delicious wedding favours. Each cake can be wrapped individually with ribbon and personalisation added.

Image courtesy of Penny Belle

Stunning engagement cake. Image courtesy of Penny Belle

Besides her amazing cakes Nicola also makes some fantastic fabric appliqué party bags, fabric appliqué cards, cushions, aprons and bunting which can be made to order and can be personalised too. My favourite item in her online shop is this gorgeous pink mocking bird print cushion. A bargain at just £12.99.