Meet Hannah – A Somerset Wedding Cake Designer Creating Beautiful, Personal Cakes
One of my favourite parts of working in the wedding industry is getting to collaborate with genuinely lovely, talented people who care deeply about what they do.
Hannah, the cake designer behind The Gorge Bakehouse, is one of those people.
Her work is thoughtful, creative, and beautifully considered, but more than that, she brings such warmth and energy to every couple she works with. From our conversations, it’s clear that for Hannah, it’s never just about the cake. It’s about the people, the story behind the day, and creating something that feels completely personal.
I recently sat down with Hannah to chat about her journey into wedding cakes, what inspires her designs, and the advice she shares with couples planning their wedding.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first found your way into the world of wedding cakes?
Hello, I’m Hannah, the cake designer behind The Gorge Bakehouse. Baking has been part of my life for as long as I can remember really and I think I was only about five years old when I was reciting cupcake recipes and measurements off by heart.
So, I started The Gorge Bakehouse during Covid, with the aim of bringing a little bit of joy during a really strange time. Things like decorating kits and brownie boxes to doorstep deliveries of celebration cakes, it was all about helping people celebrate in some way, even when they couldn’t be together. Bringing a bit of happiness in sweet form was always the goal, I guess.
Then, as time went on, enquiries for wedding cakes started to come in. I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure if I was quite ready for the scale and the intricacy of wedding cakes, but I’ve loved every minute since. Being part of a couple’s wedding planning journey and a day they will remember forever… how lush is that?
I didn’t plan on being part of the wedding industry when I started TGB five years ago, but I guess weddings found me. And I’m so glad they did, it’s such a beautiful industry to be part of, a real community of lovely people all pouring their hearts into making wedding days amazing.
What was it about wedding cakes that made you realise this was the path you wanted to follow?
Honestly, and this really is the easiest answer, it’s all about the people. I absolutely love jumping on consultation calls, getting to know couples and hearing all about their exciting plans (my face does often ache afterwards from smiling the whole way through, just saying). Designing together, bouncing ideas around and then creating the sweet centrepiece for their day!
And then come the photos…seeing couples cutting my cake on their wedding day? That part never gets old. Ever. It’s such a pinch-me moment and genuinely the best feeling, a reminder that what I do becomes part of a memory they’ll keep forever. And honestly, that’s amazing.
How would you describe your cake style to couples who are just starting their wedding planning journey?
Funnily enough, and many of my friends will be nodding along to this, I am not, and never have been, a very flowery / pink / pastel kind of girl. I mean, I don’t think I ever wore a dress or skirt willingly as a child, I’m fairly sure I was always bribed…probably with chocolate or something sweet.
And yet, when I first started designing wedding cakes, my style was very much that, flowery, pastel and pretty. I wouldn’t have told my younger self this, but I fully embraced it and actually absolutely loved it. It was very much a “I shouldn’t love this… but I really, really do” kind of feeling. And clearly I wasn’t alone, because the requests for florals and pretty piping kept coming.
That said, the style I personally love and the one I’ll always lean towards when designing, especially when I’m given creative reign, is much more modern and minimalist. I love sculptural cakes where there’s room for interpretation, where the beauty feels effortless and no two designs are ever the same because as an artist you are just completely lost in the creation.
Where do you draw inspiration from when designing a wedding cake — and how do you bring a couple’s vision to life?
Inspiration can honestly come from anywhere and everywhere. It does make it slightly hard to switch off (when you start spotting cake designs in the ridges of sand while sitting on a beach on holiday… you know it’s gone too far), but would I change it? Absolutely not.
That said, most of the real creativity happens after our consultation calls. A wedding is such a personal thing, and quite rightly, it should be all about you. I’m very much in the camp of “your wedding, your way” and that means creating a cake that truly feels like you as a couple.
Some couples come to our first call with a few loose ideas, others arrive armed with sketches and a full Pinterest board of their dream cake or dessert table and honestly, both are the perfect place to start. From there, we chat everything through, I get a lovely insight into their personalities and the overall wedding vibe and then I get designing! Cake might just be my favourite subject, so I genuinely love talking through ideas and I’m totally here for all the questions too. Honestly, I love questions!
What does the experience of working with you typically look like from first enquiry to the wedding day?
I’m not going to lie, I’ve never had a couple book with me that I wouldn’t happily grab a coffee or have a cocktail with – during the planning process or after the wedding too. I am very lucky to have such lush couples.
So from the very first enquiry, I like to make it clear that I’m here for you. Think of me as your support, your cheerleader, and yes I’m going to say it, your new best mate. One of my lovely photographer friends always says “comfort is key” and I genuinely believe that’s true for every part of your wedding planning, especially when it comes to your suppliers. You need a dream team and I am all in.
Throughout the planning process, I’m always just a message or call away if you want to bounce ideas around. I’ve even had one bride completely change her design halfway through and I was like, “Yes! Let’s do it!” Because at the end of the day, I just want your cake to be perfectly you.
As the wedding day gets closer, my goal is simply to take any cake-related pressure off your shoulders. I vividly remember my own pre-wedding lead-up being a bit… stressy. (Note to self: maybe don’t fly your entire family out to Italy, that probably didn’t help the logistics!) So I work quietly behind the scenes, sorting timings, arranging flowers if needed, prepping cake stands, and then I usually set up in the morning while everyone’s enjoying hair and make-up. Like a ninja. In and out. (Although, if I spot a supplier friend, I can’t be held accountable for how long I stop and chat afterwards) And then, when it’s all done, all you see is your beautiful cake or dessert display exactly as we planned it.
In your experience, what’s one thing couples often overlook when choosing or designing their wedding cake?
I’ve noticed that on calls with couples, a few things always seem to come up… servings, styling and sunshine, all the S’s!
So, servings. This is all about how many cake slices or desserts you’ll need. And let’s be real, you can’t actually predict whether guests will dive straight in or politely decline and then come back for seconds (or thirds… we’ve all been there). The good news is there are a few things to consider that make it easier to figure out/guess. For example, when are you serving the cake? Are you having dessert as part of your wedding breakfast? Will more guests join you later on? We talk through all of this during our calls, I’ve got your back.
Then there’s styling. I absolutely love styling and I have a few stylist friends who I watch in awe as they work their magic, it really does make all the difference. Years ago, it used to feel like the cake was a bit of an afterthought in terms of how it tied into the overall wedding styling, colour scheme and decor. But now? We’re in the room, people. Cake trends are all about the cake being the centrepiece again and I am so here for it.
And finally… sunshine. Hear me out, I love sunshine. When it finally shows up in the UK, it’s like we’ve won the lottery. But for cake designers, warmer weather is not our friend. Not one bit. Fondant, royal icing and chocolate ganache are our saviours in the heat. But if your heart is set on buttercream, don’t worry, us cake designers have a few tricks up our sleeves and can absolutely make it work.
Do you have any tips for couples who feel overwhelmed by options and aren’t quite sure where to start with their cake design?
Honestly, just start with what you love. Think about flavours you genuinely enjoy, colours that make you smile, your personal style and the overall feel of your wedding, rather than endlessly scrolling for that “perfect” idea that somehow never appears. What feels right to you?
You really don’t need a fully formed vision. A few thoughts or images are more than enough to get started, because that’s where I come in. I’ve got plenty of ideas to bounce around and I can chat for hours if you let me, so my only advice is bring a cuppa to our calls!
What trends are you currently loving — and which timeless elements do you think always work beautifully?
This year, the cake trends are genuinely incredible. I honestly love them all, don’t make me pick a favourite.
What I’m really loving are designs with texture and pops of colour. This year’s trends are full of just that, wafer paper textures, fondant ruffles, different shaped cakes and those vibrant red berries on top… they’re all just amazing. And like I mentioned before, the cake is totally back as a centrepiece. Those long tabletop cakes, the candle-blowing / kiss moment, oh my gosh, I absolutely live for that.
That said, I totally get that it might not be for everyone. Maybe you prefer something more traditional and none of the trends really float your boat. And honestly, I mean the candle-blowing / kiss moment is amazing, but I would personally die under that level of attention. I don’t think I could confidently pull it off. I’d probably end up setting my hair on fire or creating some kind of hilariously embarrassing moment which then becomes a running family joke.
Trends definitely aren’t for everyone, but I do think it’s always worth having a little gander. It opens your eyes to possibilities and then you can choose if you love them or hate them.
And you know what? I genuinely think the all-white cakes will always be timeless. We can add elements like flowers or ruffles, but a classic white base, I don’t think that will ever be out of style.
What’s been one of your favourite or most meaningful wedding cakes to create, and why did it stand out to you?
I guess my favourites are the ones where couples really trust the process and put their faith in my creativity as a designer. When that happens, the cake often ends up feeling incredibly personal and the design becomes naturally beautiful, which is exactly what we want!
One cake that will always have a special place in my heart (and honestly, the couple themselves were just the loveliest) was a two-tier Lambeth cake at the iconic Tunnels Beach. O.M.G. if you haven’t seen this place, go and look it up immediately. It’s absolutely stunning. Their colour scheme was turquoise and coral, which was perfect for a coastal setting. Lambeth cakes were only just having their moment back then and most designs were very classic and all-white, so we decided to do something a little different… a little bolder… maybe slightly out-there. And fully embraced the colour scheme in the design, which turned out pretty perfect.
The pro photos from their wedding are still some of my favourites to this day. I’m about to sound very cheesy (but I’m leaning into it), because you can genuinely feel the love and happiness in those images, you really can.
Finally, what advice would you give couples who want their wedding cake to feel personal and truly ‘them’?
Don’t feel any pressure to follow trends. Embrace them if you want or go completely rogue instead. Just do you, unapologetically, in every aspect of your wedding. And don’t be afraid to change your mind on the details, either. Wedding planning usually unfolds over quite a bit of time, so if you come across ideas along the way and think, actually that feels very us, then just go for it.
I always say to my couples, once we have a design, it’s never set in stone. Your design proposal is a working document, so let’s tweak, adjust and change it as many times as needed until it feels totally, unmistakably you.
If you’re planning your wedding and looking for a cake designer who will not only create something beautiful but also support you throughout the process, Hannah is a wonderful choice.
Her approach is relaxed, collaborative, and completely centred around creating something that feels like you as a couple.
And if nothing else, you’ll come away from your calls with a smile on your face and probably a few new ideas you hadn’t even considered.
To connect with Hannah you can visit her website https://thegorgebakehouse.com/ or visit her on social media www.instagram.com/thegorgebakehouse
Wherever you are in your wedding planning journey, you’ll find more inspiration and guidance across the blog, along with details about my wedding photography if you’re looking for someone to capture your day in a natural, relaxed way.
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