Meet Rachel Hanna from Marie Antoinette Cake Design

Credit: www.artandstorystudio.com

Meet Rachel Hanna from Marie Antoinette Cake Design
07789 887 177 | www.macakecompany.co.uk

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker?
I have an academic background with a degree in Business Studies and a Graduate Management Training Programme, which was actually within the food industry. Eventually, I realised it wasn’t for me, and I needed to find something that provided me with a much-needed creative outlet. That was back in 2011, and shortly after, I launched Marie Antoinette Cake Design, and in the last couple of years, The Sugarcraft School so I can help other people in the industry to learn and grow.

I’ve always baked and constantly look for creative outlets, whether that’s cake-related or something like interior design. I love trying out new things and giving things a go! I also have a huge passion for flowers and was able to bring this into my business by specialising in incredible sugar flowers, which you can see all over my website and Instagram feed. People are always stunned that they’re handmade from sugar and are blown away by how realistic and beautiful they look.

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services?
I offer a professional and creative service, which means I like to take care of everything! Once couples choose to work with me, it’s a collaborative process with me leading the way and guiding them through the whole thing. Before booking, couples get the opportunity to have a consultation and tasting, which is where we really start our journey together. I love meeting a new couple, getting to know them, finding out about their plans and working out how I can help them. My aim at this stage is for couples to leave the consultation feeling excited about their bake, confident about me as a designer and fully educated about how they can get the most out of their money, their experience and their cake on the actual wedding day.

Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why?
My favourite is always changing, but it’s usually the most recent one I’ve made! I’m always looking to push the boundaries and try new things, develop techniques and experiment with different materials, shapes, and textures. Every single bake I create is a bespoke design and I love giving the cake my focus and attention, it’s an absolute privilege and something I’ll never tire of or take for granted.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book?
From 2022 onwards, I’m only working with a limited number of couples as I also run The Sugarcraft School. My availability is intentionally limited to allow me to fully focus on each cake, so it’s never too early to reach out, I work with most couples for at least 18 months, but some couples do book earlier as well as later than that.

Credit: www.emmaryanphotography.co.uk

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of the job is exceeding my client’s expectations! It can often be difficult for couples to convey what they want, so it’s an absolute pleasure when people get in touch after seeing my work somewhere and tell me it’s exactly what they’ve been searching for. Guiding them through the process, and seeing how excited they get about the cake is so, so lovely. As all of my designs are unique, couples don’t get to know what it will look like until the actual wedding day, it’s the trust they place in me which I value hugely and work extra hard to make sure that I exceed their expectations and create the perfect bake for them, even if they didn’t quite know what that was to begin with!

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker?
There are so many different options out there, and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for narrowing down a company who can really manifest the look and feel that you want on your day. I have quite a defined contemporary, fine art style, so won’t take on orders that are a completely different look and feel to this. I’m just not the right person for the job but will always recommend someone else who I think would suit perfectly! This means I can do the best possible job for couples who do connect with my aesthetic.

I’d also suggest being open about your ideal budget. There are endless possibilities with cake design and as a result, prices can vary significantly from one bake to the next, so by providing a guide of your preferred budget, a supplier can advise you on the options available to you and not get you falling in love with products that are way out of your budget.

Finally, always make sure you get to taste some of their creations. As much as I love the design element of my job, first and foremost, it has to taste great. A lot of my clients are foodies and cake obsessed just like me, which I absolutely love, so it’s essential I make the perfect tasting product for them and their guests too! I have a free guide on how to find the perfect designer for you available to download on my website, so that’s definitely worth a read.