tolly wedding cake trials

i was a little surprised when my good friend asked me to make her wedding cake. immediately the image of the leaning tower of wedding cakes came to mind but of course wouldn't turn down a bride's request and at least I had over a year to figure out how to tier. luckily, I have friends who are happy to go untraditional and more fun to play with different ideas and rather wanted more of a dessert table. Ace. still nerve racking but something I could do. a year later and this wedding is only months away so it was time to get cracking. half term was the perfect solution with a week of down time to bake and trial the recipes I had been gathering..with as little tears and panic as possible. much to my surprise the Italian merengue buttercream came out fab (beginners luck?) and there weren't too many disasters so feeling confident about the real thing in May! 

what to do with three cakes and dessert samplers? invite everyone over for an evening of cake and bubbles of course! and what a relief to have a happy couple who were satisfied with the outcomes of the trial.