Sponsor Spotlight: Dreamy Wedding Cakes from Signature Cakes by Vicki
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Ever so often we like to check in with our ABG vendors to see what's new and what's been going on in their world. As we've grown, so have they and it's always fun to see what they're doing now that will benefit you and your wedding planning. We recently featured her son's wedding and talked about some of her new cake designs but haven't properly introduced Vicki Nelson of Signature Cakes by Vicki to you so without further ado, here is today's Sponsor Spotlight.
Contact Information:
Name: Signature Cakes By Vicki
Main Contact: Vicki Nelson
Phone Number: 615-513-2266
Email Address: signaturecakesbyvicki {at} comcast {dot} net
Website: SignatureCakesByVicki.com
How did you get started in weddings and how long have you been decorating cakes?
My grandparents were Italian immigrants and settled 90 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts. There are wonderful pastry bakeries and amazing family-owned restaurants in the area and so I developed a passion for delectable food and delicious sweets. Before heading off to college, I owned a small Italian restaurant, catered weddings and made wedding cakes. During my college years I continued making wedding cakes and coordinating weddings for extra money.
After my husband and I graduated from college in 1981, we moved to Nashville. I attempted to start a wedding cake business, but Nashville just wasn’t quite ready for me yet. Those were the days that most brides got their wedding cakes at Krogers for $50. So, I went into the corporate world during the onset of the telecommunications software revolution. The corporate world just wasn’t for me. Also, I really wanted to run my own business so I began catering corporate lunches. I would often do event cakes and wedding cakes for particular clients. But, in 2007 I decided to change direction, stop catering and pursue my love of wedding cakes. That’s how Signature Cakes by Vicki was born.
Images by Ashlea Terhune Photography
What do you like most about weddings?
I love the ceremony – the moment when the couple proclaims before God and all those present that they will keep their word, their vows. It gives me chills and makes me cry. Weddings are about marriage, which is the greatest commitment two people can make. Most people think about being in love when they think about a wedding, but I think that falling in love is the easy part. Making a lifetime commitment and keeping it, now that takes work and that’s what marriage is really about. Next, I love the reception. I think it should be a wonderful party with great food, drink, dancing and music. It should be the celebration of a lifetime.
What’s your favorite wedding photo/video and why?
Pictures of cake are wonderful and of course it’s important that the brides can see my work on my website. But, my favorite pictures are ones of the brides and groom’s cutting their cakes. When I see their faces, I see the joy of the moment and I get to be there, even though I wasn’t actually there.
Image by Gray Photography
Images by Chris Weaver
What is your service philosophy?
SERVICE IS EVERYTHING! I don’t care how good a product is, if it isn’t backed up with great customer service – it’s nothing. Once a bride has chosen me to do her wedding cake, I take it from there. I work with her wedding planner and her reception venue from that point on, all the way through wedding day. I communicate with her by way of emails and phone calls. She never has to concern herself again with her wedding cakes. I promise to make sure that her cake(s) are delivered on time, safe, delicious and beautiful, just as it appeared in the full scale drawing that I did on consultation day. But wedding day is not the end. I always follow up after the wedding, because I want to know that she and her guests were pleased on wedding day. I treat every bride like family. Isn’t that how we all want to be treated?
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you?
First, we have a three-fold commitment to our customers.
1. The most beautiful cake that YOU, the customer, can imagine. We make beautiful edible embellishments such as sugar flowers, fruits, fondant ribbons, fabric, bows, birds, shoes and lace. We replicate elements from your dress in hand done piping and molds. We put all those elements together to make a one-of-a-kind, original work of edible art. No one else will ever have your wedding cake.
2. We use the freshest, highest quality ingredients including fresh eggs, butter, cream, raspberries, strawberries, juices, spices, herbs, nuts and various gourmet candies such as Ghriradelli White Chocolate, Lindor Truffles, and Godiva Chocolate, just too mention a few. We combine flavors to make gourmet, original recipes for our cakes and our icings.
3. We provide unparalleled customer service from the initial consultation to our final follow-up after wedding day.
We also have a 5-star 5.0 rating on marthastewartweddings.com with 115 reviews. We have the most reviews in not only Nashville, but Tennessee and all the surrounding states.
Images courtesy of Signature Cakes by Vicki
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors – helpfulness, professionalism, style?
We have many wonderful wedding vendors in Nashville. We have some who have been around a long time and have the reputation that they deserve. We also have some newcomers, who have great potential. My favorite wedding vendors are the ones that brides tell me did a wonderful job on their wedding. Professionalism and quality of service is everything. Instead of giving my personal opinion about who I prefer, I suggest vendors who are members of TWESA (Tennessee Wedding and Events Specialists Association). In order to be a member of TWESA, you must fulfill professional requirements and be of a good reputation in the industry. Furthermore, I suggest brides and grooms choose vendors who have impeccable reviews by independent sources. Remember, anyone can put "accolades" on their own website.
What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?
Very few couples today have an unlimited budget for their wedding. Most couples are trying to make their dollars stretch and still have the wedding of their dreams. The first thing you must do is research! I find that many couples make up an arbitrary budget based on what they "think" they should spend on each category such as reception venue, caterer, flowers, cakes, music, invitations, favors, and photography without actually knowing what the average prices are in their area. Going online to do research is great, but honestly, very few websites actually give the exact prices. And remember, it’s imperative that you compare apples to apples.
The best way to get the most amount of information in the shortest time is to go to a bridal show. At the shows, you can ask specific questions of many different vendors in the same category. You can taste their cakes, food and drinks. You can see the work of the photographers and florists. And you can touch their samples of paper, fabric and finery. Bridal Shows narrow down your choices without spending all your time, which can actually be just as valuable to you as your money.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
THE biggest misconception in the wedding industry is that all vendors are "created equal." If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind, original, couture wedding cake in gourmet flavors, choose well. Check reviews, reviews, reviews!!! Read independent reviews written by brides, grooms and mothers. I suggest marthastewartweddings.com and weddingwire.com. Someone claiming to be a baker may be someone who took a few cake classes or has only done a few wedding cakes and may not have the expertise to design and bring to life a cake in art. Cake design involves, baking, art, math and engineering. Cakes aren’t magical, they have to be constructed properly in order to transport well and present well. So, make sure you get the best "value" for the price.
The cheapest price is usually not the best choice. Everyone has heard the old adage, "You get what you pay for." Well that saying is still around because it is usually still true. For example, if you hire "Uncle Fred" to do your videography, it will not be a professional, edited, work of art when you get it back from him. Well, unless of course, Uncle Fred is in the videography business. Another example would be if you hired someone who calls themself a "wedding planner" because she just got married last Spring and "knows everything" about planning a wedding. Again, a certified event planner, with years of experience has the expertise and business relationships to help you have the best possible results on wedding day. Remember, there are no "do-overs" on your wedding day.
Image by Meishach Moore Photographers
We are excited to see what else Vicki and her team have in store for us at the upcoming bridal shows. Rumor has it, she'll be launching a few new flavors and some new designs for her cakes! If Signature Cakes by Vicki was your baker for your wedding, we'd love to see the pictures so please do send them to us along with the photographer's name to add to our gallery! For more Signature Cakes by Vicki, visit their website.
About the Author:
Tabitha
Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.
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Posted on September 28, 2011 |
Filed under: Our Featured Advertisers!, Cakes & Catering, Luxury Nashville Wedding Finds
