Storeybook Cakes | Vendor Love
Last January, I photographed a winter wedding editorial at Haley Mansion in Mystic, Connecticut with a wildly talented group of vendors. Some were people I’d worked with before, and others I had just met that day. One of the new vendors I was working with was Lynn Storey of Storeybook Cakes, based out of Southbury, Connecticut. Her wedding cake design was unlike any other confectionary masterpiece I’d ever seen! Her unique mix of different shapes, textures, and patterns on the cake had me ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the amazing details!
I’m so excited to have Lynn share more about her expertise as a custom cake designer in this Vendor Love interview. I loved learning more about her, and I know you will too!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
"I never imagined I’d be switching careers almost 15 years into my TV production gig, but due to a cake decorating class I took for fun back in 2005, I discovered an unexpected love for cake design, and the rest is history! I began making birthday and shower cakes for friends and family, honing my baking skills over the next few years, trying out recipes and techniques, absorbing all I could about cake baking, decorating and design. For years I was creating fun and unique cakes and cupcakes for special occasions, but deep down I always had the big dream of being a wedding cake designer. I never imagined I’d have the guts to enter into this industry, and it took years for me to gain the knowledge and confidence to even consider it. Words can’t express how happy I am that I eventually took the leap and ventured into this amazing world!”
What do you love most about cake design?
"While I enjoy the entire process - starting with my first interaction with a client, discussing their vision, putting together the perfect design, to my time in the kitchen - baking, filling, and frosting the cake, my very favorite part of the process is the final stage of design. At this point, after so many preparatory hours of work have gone into creating this blank canvas, it is now finally ready for what I consider to be the most fun part - the decor! It is so satisfying to look at a perfectly frosted cake, just waiting for me to add the beautiful final touches that will make it a unique and elegant piece of edible art!”
What should couples know about your process and about working with you?
"Once we have discussed details and are ready to move forward, we will schedule a time to meet for a cake tasting/consultation where I am able to get to know the couple a bit, learn about their vision and wedding style, and they will have the opportunity to taste a variety of flavors and ask me any questions they might have. I am totally open to creating all cake styles from classic simplicity to rustic, textured designs to totally non-traditional, out-of-the-box flavors and styles! I encourage couples to view their wedding cake as more than flour, sugar, and eggs, but as a symbol of their relationship and love, and to use it as a way to express who they are as a couple to their family and friends on their special day. I also understand that not everyone has the same crazy love affair that I do with cake, and some simply look at a wedding cake as nothing more than a sweet ending to a meal on a special day, and that is fine, too!”
What is your favorite part about working with couples who are planning their wedding day?
"The excitement of everything having to do with planning a wedding is so contagious! I love sitting down with the couple and discussing the details that will make their special day even more amazing! It is an honor to be chosen to create this memorable centerpiece, having the opportunity to help contribute to the joy of this special moment in their lives - every bit of this process has brought me such happiness! I can’t imagine doing anything else!”
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"We are so fortunate to live in a time where, due to technology, we have the ability to experience so many creative artists’ work from all over the world. Through Instagram, YouTube tutorials, various “caker” websites and Facebook groups that I am a part of, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from an endless number of talented bakers and cake artists. Even just scrolling through Pinterest can be super inspiring! While I will never directly copy another artist’s design, I’ll happily take inspiration from a beautiful cake photo, or incorporate design aspects from various cakes and add my own spin, in order to create something totally unique! I’ve also taken part in many styled shoots, and draw inspiration from the amazing wedding planners and vendors I have worked with - from the venue to the accent pieces (tables, linens, candles, and other decor), to the wedding/bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, invitations, and of course florals - all can play a huge part in the final cake design.”
How early should couples book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"I am a one-woman business, therefore I’m limited to a certain number of orders at any given time. The earlier you contact me, the more likely I will be able to accommodate your date. Wedding orders should be booked as early as possible (preferably 6-12 months in advance) to assure my availability and allow time for consultations, cake tastings, etc. June through October are VERY busy wedding months and some dates get booked well over a year in advance. I, of course, will accept last-minute orders if I have availability!”
What is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a couple for their wedding day?
"My husband and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in a couple of months, and I can tell you that not only does the wedding day fly by, so do the years! My advice, which I’m sure you’ve heard before (but it really is important!), is to take it all in. Every moment of your day. Enjoy it, remember the feelings, the excitement, the joy, the friends and family who have come together to celebrate your love, and HAVE FUN! Try your very best not to stress. Maybe not every single thing will go perfectly or exactly how you envisioned it, but try to go with the flow and remember what this day is about. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everyone you love is with you at this very moment - appreciate that fact. Your only job is to enjoy yourself! Take moments with your brand new spouse, just the two of you, to cherish this amazing milestone in your lives together. That was much more than just one piece of advice, but it is what I believe will make for an awesome experience for you and your partner on your wedding day. Congratulations!!!”
If you don't already, be sure to follow Lynn to stay up to date with her latest projects!
Facebook: Storeybook Cakes, LLC (@storeybookcakes)
Instagram: @storeybookcakes
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Lynn of Storeybook Cakes! Comment below and tell us about your dream wedding cake!
CREATIVE TEAM
Venue: Haley Mansion at Inn at Mystic | Photography: Shaina Lee Photography | Wedding Planning & Design: Pearl Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Floral Designs by Justine | Cake: Storeybook Cakes | Linens: BBJ Linen
You can check out the full wedding editorial & vendor team here.
