Bespoke Wedding Cakes
Serving Hertfordshire & Buckinghamshire
Sustainable Wedding Cakes for Conscious Couples handcrafted in Berkhamsted
Crafted with eco-friendly ingredients and ethical practises.
Turning your wedding dreams into something you can taste, share and remember forever.
Kathie, Berkhamsted
“Stunning wedding cake that was also very delicious..beautiful edible flowers and wonderful lemon flavours. All our guests admired our cake...so pleased I chose Marie-Clare to make our wedding cake”
Deliciously Sustainable Wedding Cakes for
Hertfordshire & Buckinghamshire
Something for Every Couple - with Sustainability in Mind
From organic flavours to beautiful, sustainable design elements like edible flowers, I'll craft a cake that's as unique as your love story! Every detail is thoughtfully designed and made with the highest-quality ingredients, with sustainability at the heart of every choice.
Booking in your bespoke wedding cake
Here is a 4 step breakdown of how the bespoke cake planning journey works.
For more information and concerns please see my FAQs and Concerns section below.
1
Booking you in
Once your venue is sorted, get in touch to check availability -
I only take one wedding per week to give your cake the love and attention it deserves!
Secure your date with a £150 non-refundable booking fee even if you haven't decided on the cake style yet.
We'll plan the design (and eat delicious cake) closer to the big day.
2
Design Consultation
Around 6-9 months before the big day, we'll have a relaxed Zoom chat to talk all things wedding and cake! Before we meet, you'll receive a tasting box by post and a quick questionnaire to help guide our chat. Choose from my classic flavour menu or update to something a little different.
We'll discuss your venue, styling, colours and vibe of your day to make sure the cake fits in beautifully.
3
Design & Quote
After our consultation, I'll sketch your custom cake designs so you can visualise it perfectly.
You'll receive a tailored quote based on your choices, with the final balance due 28 days before your wedding (your booking fee is deducted from this total).
You'll also get the chance to make any little tweaks before everything is confirmed.
4
Sit back and relax!
In the week of your wedding, I'll take care of everything behind the scenes - liaising with your venue and florist to coordinate delivery, setup, and fresh flower placement (if needed).
All you need to do is relax, celebrate, and of course eat the cake!
The Flavour Menu
Crafted with high-quality ingredients, specially sourced for their superior taste, sustainability, and support of local small businesses. My thoughtfully curated selection offers something for every sweet tooth - from timeless classics and to my signature creations and a few irresistible surprises.
Curious about the incredible people behind my ingredients? Learn more about my sustainability and suppliers here.
Be Classic
Timeless flavours that never go out of style
Vanilla & Strawberry
Classic vanilla sponge made with organic Madagascan vanilla beans, filled with fruity strawberry coulis, smooth lemon cream and covered in vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
Zesty Lemon
Organic lemon sponge layered with smooth lemon cream and zesty lemon curd, covered in silky lemon Swiss meringue buttercream.
Indulgent Chocolate
Deep & moist chocolate sponge filled with rich chocolate ganache made with organic Montezuma couverture chocolate and covered in indulgent chocolate Swiss Meringue buttercream.
Carrot & Walnut
Delicately spiced carrot sponge made with cinnamon, ginger and walnuts, with a hint of orange, filled with tangy cream cheese Swiss meringue buttercream.
The Signature Range
A little more punch, a lot delicious
Coconut & Raspberry
Moist coconut sponge layered with tangy raspberry coulis and smooth lemon cream, covered in vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
Pistachio & Raspberry
Organic pistachio sponge layered with creamy raspberry curd and smooth raspberry Swiss meringue buttercream.
Chocolate & Matcha
Rich chocolate sponge layered with matcha Swiss meringue buttercream and velvety chocolate ganache finished with matcha Swiss meringue buttercream
White Chocolate & Blueberry
Classic vanilla sponge dotted with white chocolate pieces and layered with blueberry Swiss meringue buttercream and blueberry coulis.
Lemon & Blackberry
Zesty lemon sponge layered with lemon cream and blackberry coulis, finished with blackberry Swiss meringue buttercream.
Salted Caramel Indulgence
A soft, golden salted caramel sponge, filled with smooth salted caramel buttercream and a decadent centre of my homemade gooey salted caramel, covered in a generous later of salted caramel buttercream
Be Extra
Flavours with bold character, richness, and a little indulgence.
Chocolate & Espresso
Moist chocolate sponge layered with rich espresso buttercream and smooth chocolate ganache covered with espresso Swiss meringue buttercream.
Coffee & Hazelnut
Light brown sugar sponge made with freshly brewed espresso coffee and organic hazelnuts, filled with smooth mascarpone cream and covered in mocha Swiss meringue buttercream.
Cherry Bakewell
Moist almond sponge layered with Madagascan vanilla buttercream and sweet cherry coulis finished with an almond Swiss meringue buttercream.
Mocha Caramel Dream
A rich chocolate sponge layered with a smooth coffee-infused dark chocolate ganache and indulgent salted caramel, finished with a silky mocha Swiss meringue buttercream.
Forest Gateau
Rich chocolate sponge layered with alternate layers of smooth mascarpone cream and chocolate ganache with cherry coulis finished with a chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream.
Banana & Pecan
Layers of banana and pecan cake, layered with smooth caramel and chocolate ganache, finished with chocolate and cinnamon Swiss meringue buttercream.
Wedding Cake Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book my wedding cake?
To ensure availability and give me time to perfect every detail, I recommend booking at least 6 months in advance, especially during peak wedding season. Last-minute availability may be possible depending on my diary.
What is your minimum spend for wedding cakes?
For 2025 I have a £300 minimum order for semi naked cakes and a £350 minimum order for iced cakes for wedding bookings (not including delivery or cake stand hire). These are my minimum order prices for 2025, however, this is not my average wedding cake price. Usually, couples have a budget of £500+ for one of my cakes.
How do I know what size cake I need?
It depends on your guest count and whether the cake is being served as dessert, finger or bite size portions. I'll help you choose a size based on the number of guests and your design preference. Most of my cakes have 4 layers per tier, which gives you more slices per tier than a standard cake. Check out my blog 'What size cake do I need? for further information on portion sizes.
Can I have different flavours in each tier?
Absolutely! Each tier can be a different flavour. I’ll guide you through combinations that not only taste great but also stack well structurally.
Can I have a fondant wedding cake?
Yes, I do offer fondant-covered cakes, but I use it sparingly and ethically. My fondant is palm oil-free.
Are the flowers on your cakes edible?
Yes, I use edible-food-safe flowers. You can read more in my blog: What is an edible flower cake.
Consultations & Tastings
How do wedding consultations work?
Consultations are by appointment only and can be booked via email, phone, or through the contact form on my website. These one-hour sessions are perfect for talking through your ideas, looking at inspiration, and planning something completely unique to your day.
After our consultation, I'll sketch your custom cake designs so you can visualise it perfectly. Once your booking is paid, I'll send you a copy of the sketch to keep. Please note that photos of the design can only be taken after the booking fee has been received.
Do you offer cake tastings?
Yes! All bespoke wedding cake consultations include a postal tasting box with 4 of my 'classic' flavour combinations, including Swiss meringue buttercream, coulis and ganache fillings. Once you have paid your deposit this will be sent to you. If you want to order a postal tasting box before booking, the cost is £45 (not including P&P).
Want to choose your own flavours? You can update to a 'pick your own' box for £15, which includes four flavours from my menu. This fee is payable when you book your box and is not deductible from the final cake cost.
Can I book without a consultation?
Yes, if you already know what you want, you're very welcome to book by email without a consultation.
Booking, Payment & Cancellations
Do you require a deposit?
All wedding cake orders require a non-refundable booking fee of £150. This secures the booking and allows me to start planning your cake. The final balance is due 28 days before your wedding date.
For cake orders with less than 4 weeks notice the full cost of the cake must be paid at time of booking.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations from the date of booking until 28 days before the wedding will forfeit the booking fee.
Cancellations with less than 28 days notice are subject to full payment.
Delivery & Setup
Do you deliver wedding cakes?
Yes, I prefer to personally deliver and set up all wedding cakes to ensure everything arrives safely and is styled to match the agreed design. Delivery will be arranged during your consultation, and I'll also agree the arrival time with the venue in advance.
What if the delivery time needs to change?
Please let me know at least 14 days in advance if there is a change to your delivery time. I'll do my best to accommodate, but depending on other bookings that day, I can't guarantee I'll be able to change the schedule.
How much do you charge for delivery?
Delivery is calculated as follows:
-
£15 base fee + 75p per mile (return journey, calculated using Google Maps)
-
A minimum £15 setup fee for time spent arranging your cake at the venue
-
Sunday deliveries incur a £25 surcharge
-
Bank holiday deliveries incur a £50 surcharge
Cake Stand Hire
Do you hire out cake stands?
Yes, I have a small selection of stands available to hire. I can either help you choose one or select the most suitable option for your cake design.
The cost of hire is £20, plus a £50 returnable deposit to cover breakage or loss. It is your responsibility to return the cake stand within one week of your event, unless we've agreed otherwise.
Wedding Cake Concerns
What happens if the weather is really hot?
I'll advise you on the best finish (e.g buttercream, ganache or fondant) depending on your venue and season. I'll also liaise with your wedding planner or venue to ensure the cake is stored safely until it's time to cut it.
I don't like the taste of fondant - do I need it for my design?
No! Most of my cakes are finished in buttercream or ganache, with fondant only used for small decorative elements (if at all). We'll design something beautiful and delicious.
Do you offer vegan or dietary variations?
Yes. I can offer vegan, gluten free, dairy free or egg free versions of the majority of my cakes. Please note that as my cakes are made in a home environment that there may be traces of allergens present.
How long will my cake stay fresh?
My cakes are made with high-quality fresh ingredients and no preservatives, so they are best enjoyed within a few days of the event. If your cake will be displayed for a long time, I recommend that the venue doesn't cut the entire cake at once. This helps preserve its freshness throughout the rest of the day. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, and I suggest consuming the cake within 3 days for the best taste and texture.
Can I have cupcakes alongside my cake?
Absolutely! Many couples love to have a wedding cake alongside a selection of cupcakes. This is a great way to offer a variety of flavours to suit all guests, including options for different dietary requirements*. Whether it's vegan, gluten-free, or other special preferences, I can help you to plan the perfect mix of cake and cupcakes to ensure every guest has something delicious to enjoy.
Please note that all my cakes are made in a home environment and therefore there may be traces of allergens present.
About Me
Hi, I am Marie-Clare, founder of Cakes by Marie-Clare. I am passionate about baking and designing cakes in a sustainable ethical manner. I LOVE growing edible flowers & creating stunning floral decorations that are as delicious as they are beautiful! Find out more about my story....
