VENDOR SPOTLIGHT // SWEET CELEBRATIONS
Today we are spending some time getting to know our dear friend and long time Swish List member, Sharleen, of Sweet Celebrations!
A short description of what you do: We feed people; food is important to us, we celebrate with it. This is one of the most important days of your life, and food is a huge part of it.
How long have you been working in the wedding industry? We have been in the industry for 20 years! Sharleen began her career at Queens Landing in the pastry department and took advantage of opportunities to work in France (that is why our macaron are the best around) and in Germany. Shannon had a background in hospitality and always an interest in pastry arts.
What makes your business unique? We really care, a lot. We are so inspired by our couple’s love story. We want to celebrate your love with you. We really believe we can help share this though food and design. Come in and visit with us.
Favourite part of your business? Meeting new couples, understanding what is important to them. We try to get to know our couples and include personal details in their wedding cakes and sweet tables. Building relationships that turn into friendships is what is most important to us. We love celebrating all your milestones. When we get to do your gender reveal, your baby shower, your little one’s first birthday, this is when we are most happy.
What inspires you? We find inspiration everywhere, literally everywhere. Flavour - we are constantly trying new foods and recipes, reading food blogs and articles. Combining savoury items in desserts is so interesting. Our Country apple cake with whipped sweetened goat cheese is a must-try. Our Olive oil macaron with basil and lemon is pretty special. Design - we find inspiration in nature, in fashion, with our vendor friends. If Amanda Cowley Events has an inspiration board, we are eager to compliment it. If Ooh La La or Lush has a crazy flower we have just seen, we will work for hours trying to make this out of sugar. If Simply Beautiful has a new linen, you bet we are going to find a texture and colour that equals beauty. Your venue is a huge inspiration for us, this can determine whether we will create something classic and refined, or something organic, less structured.
Who is your mentor/hero in the industry? Julia Child, the woman was an icon. She broke through a male-dominated industry (don't get us wrong we love to look at Curtis Stone too) and helped women chefs globally. She did all of the hard work, gave us all her knowledge and reminds us cooking and baking is fun.
Martha Stewart - she took wedding cakes to a new level. What can't she do, I mean Snoop loves her Margaret Braun - wedding cake artist Maggie Austin - wedding cake artist Jasmine Rae - wedding cake artist Caroline Khoo- Nectar&Stone - visual storyteller Did we mention Curtis Stone chef, should be model.
On your day off...where would we find you? Sharleen will most likely spend her day in the backyard with a bottle of wine and her dog Mabel (who is the best golden retriever ever). Then spend the night out for dinner with her friends, back to food - see how important food is. If you really need to find her, you can also check the mall - a bit of a shopper Shannon will spend her day with her family, you can probably catch her with her husband and daughter at the zoo in the afternoon. If you need her in the evening, they will be having dinner at her parents. Madden the bulldog will be with them there.
If you weren't a wedding vendor, what would be your dream job? Sharleen would probably be in the South of France, swirling a perfect Sauvignon Blanc while attempting to write her first novel (for the third time). Shannon would be lying on the beach in Cabo with her family. This is also our retirement plan. And yes, before you have to ask, we will Airbnb to you.
What great wedding trends are you seeing this year? TEXTURE: we love seeing texture in wedding cakes. MICRO TIERS: we love the inclusion of a visibly smaller tier, this adds so much interest to a design. MUTED NUDES: we're seeing a step back from naked cakes, but loving seeing the soft nude shades in colour palettes. SWEET TABLES: yes, yes, yes let’s not limit your guests to cake. I mean you absolutely need a cake, but heck lets offer macaron, crème puffs, chocolate cherries, mini tarts, and everyone loves a donut.
Do you have any practical advice for couples planning a wedding? Give yourself the time you need to have the wedding you want. Don't rush. Make sure you work with people you trust and trust those people. We want your day to be just as perfect as you do.
Photography Credits:
Images 1, 7+8: Philosophy Studios | Image 2-4: Nataschia Wielink Photography | Images 5 + 6: Amsis Photography
