Wedding Guide Asia

My sweet tooth’s telling me it’s been a while since we had something on dessert. Meet Darna Aminuddin, the gorgeous producer-turned-founder of Pinkies Cupcakes…

Pictures courtesy of Pinkies Cupcakes.

From film to fondant – I’m guessing there’s a very interesting story here. How did you start out?

I was in the Television Commercial industry for 8 years, but I’ve always loved cupcakes – eating them and baking them! In the beginning it was always a way to de-stress but I started to think that if I ever retired from the Commercial industry this would be something I’d definitely want to do. And so it got to a point where the industry was really tiring me out and I decided to leave. and I guess I left my first love – film – to pursue my second love – food!

Tell us more about your products and services. Do you specialize in smaller events or would you also work on a larger scale?

We make cupcakes for any occasion from personal consumption to baby showers, parties and specialty themes like Halloween and Christmas. At the moment we’re concentrating on smaller events, though I do have my sister Nada on board as a creative consultant and taste tester. I would love to work on big events such as weddings but I’m going to take it one step at a time and hopefully, I will get round to that. Engagements and hen nights are a sure thing, though.

Pinkies Cupcakes has earned a lot of good reviews – and having personally tasted them myself, I say you deserve them. What are you doing different?

I guess you might say for me, taste is more important than anything. I’d rather have a delicious-tasting cupcake than one that’s so lavishly decorated. I’m much more a substance over style kind of person, which is why my decor is a little more simplified compared to some of the cupcakes out there. I always worry that too much decorating will take attention away from the taste. Also, we only use fresh, top-quality ingredients and most of them are imported as well. I don’t use any preservatives and my fondant decor is painstakingly, but lovingly handmade.

What’s the best part of your job?

Working from home! My previous job had a lot of late nights and it’s no different with baking when you have a tonne of orders, but at least I don’t have to worry about coming home late at night, driving by myself, worrying that some nut job is going to tail my car. Also, I work on my own schedule, which leaves me more time to do my personal things (I haven’t been able to do that in 8 years so it’s good to catch up!). But the best part for me is that if I get too tired and need a bit of a rest – I actually can get it.

Words from the wise for our brides-to-be?

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important” – Aibileen Clark, The Help. I guess that’s the best advice that comes to mind from someone who has yet to unleash her inner Bride-zilla! :) (more…)

Say hello to Debbra Lee, owner of Bisou

When it comes to celebrating, it seems that history would dictate that a cake should always be in the midst. And although modern weddings may have evolved to become destination do’s or garden soirées, one thing’s for sure – we still love to cut our cake (it’s your first task together as man & wife!). While there might be many wedding cake vendors around, Bisou Bake shop founder Debbra Lee decided to make life a little easier for the bride by offering a fab collection of ‘ready to wear’ wedding cakes that are easily customised to suit a wedding theme, and most importantly tastes good.

Today, we speak to her on wedding cakes and how she makes life as a mum, wife & entrepreneur -
a piece of cake *wink*.

You’re an overall supermum. The million dollar question would be… how do you do it?

Organisation! I have a diary and am very strict with myself.  I only work when my daughter Jordan is at school or in bed.  Otherwise my job is “mum”.

Having graduated with a degree in statistics – did you ever foresee that your love for cooking would become a career?

Nope, I never ever dreamed I would be doing what I am doing now!  But I’m glad that I am, as my first proper job was in stockbroking.  Imagine, if I had not lost my job due to the 1997 Financial Crisis… I would be a corporate. I’m very happy doing what I do as I have the best of both worlds, I get to be a mum and stay healthy while designing and coming up with recipes for new cakes! Such fun!

Tell us about your “ready to wear” cakes.

We started the wedding line as we were getting requests from our customers for their favourite Bisou cake to be made into a wedding cake for them.   So it really has been a customer-led addition to our usual line of cakes.

Our wedding cakes are very affordable, and we are able to do this through a sort of “ready to wear” line of cakes that can be customised to match the colour theme.  There are 5 designs, which we feel offers something to suit everyone, from pretty daisies to the tiniest forget-me-not.

Starting at RM900 for a 6kg 3-tier cake, the ordering process is so… simple!  Choose your cake design, then the colour and finally the cake flavour.  We also do pretty iced cookies, cupcakes and mini-cupcakes that match the cake and are perfect as favours.

Did you have a nice wedding cake when you married?

We had a very pretty wedding cake (it was an extremely simple 2-tier cake with a pink hibiscus on the top).  Unfortunately, the hotel lost it after we cut it… so I never got to eat it! So perhaps not such a good story to tell, haha.

What kind of trends are you seeing in wedding cakes nowadays? (more…)

The traditional candle may have found a new enemy with the discovery of electricity and the invention of the light bulb (Thanks a lot, Edison). And yet many remain loyal because – let’s face it – there are some things you just can’t beat ;-) Candles have a special romance that’s all their own and we know you’re going to want some of that for your big day…

Decorative Light

Oh my, where do I begin? The possibilities are endless! You could have candles along the aisle all the way to the altar. Use them as centerpieces, with or without accompanying flowers. Dress up your guestbook table. Light up the garden without flipping a switch. Put them in candelabras, float them in bowls of water, cover them with hurricane glasses, stick them in sandbags, jam jars, your wedding cake – anything, really. Especially if you’re planning on an evening, outdoor ceremony, trust us – the candles are a must.

A colourful idea from More Than Light

Originality

Want something unique? Check out these rainbow flames from More Than Light. They use coloured oils in glass jars, and you can even opt for similar lamp versions instead. Jazz up your reception and choose the colours that go with your wedding theme. Cute – we loike :)

Scented Candle Tins by Lily Flame

Scent-sational

My first scented candle was a gift from my sister-in-law. One whiff and I was hooked. I can’t imagine the sensual and romantic impact of an entire hall filled with scented candles. You could even consult an aromatherapist on the best fragrances to perfume your reception with, as we know different scents have varying effects on people. Of course, there are no-brainer options – such as the sweet-smelling creations from Lily Flame. (more…)

Too good to resist!

Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of favours in the form of cupcakes, stationery, bunga telur even. Craving for something out of the norm? WGA suggests: personalised chocolates and candy!

Roc Candy, Australia

All Roc Candy is made by hand in their stores.

Design your own candy and order it through their online store. They can deliver straight to your door just about anywhere in the world. My friend gave them as favours on her big day and I have to say, these sweet delights are absolutely divine! Roc Candy sources only the finest ingredients, using essential oils for many of their flavours. What’s great is how all of their candy is vegetarian-friendly, nut-free & Halal-certified. And if you’re not big on sugar, they’ve developed a sugar-free range using the most up-to-date, gold standard, aspartame-free recipes. Pretty sweet, if I may say so.

Get your creative juices flowing and Design Your Own wedding candy. Select colours, names & flavours to suit your wedding’s unique theme. Click on their Pricing page to have a look at the many jars and bag styles available.

Delvaux, United Kingdom

Top: Petit Chocolat, Bottom: Neapolitan

I love how their website is so chic and sophisticated; you can never go wrong with a black background. Their Petit Chocolat chocolates are basically mouth-watering slices of heavenly Belgian chocolate, sealed in a wrapper of your choice. And guess what? They cost as little as 5p each! Their selection of flavours includes milk, milk mint and milk orange. All of Delvaux’s chocolates are gluten-free and are suitable for vegetarians.Your artwork can be sent to them either by e-mail or by post.

All orders with a value over £100.00 (exc.vat) are delivered FREE. Orders with a value of less than £100.00 (exc.vat) will incur a delivery charge of £5.95 (+vat). Please call them at 0800 371 428 for delivery charges for outside of the UK mainland.

Thorntons, United Kingdom

A Thortons shop in Banbury

Sigh, if only there were more chocolate stores back home in Malaysia. Since the takeover of Cadbury by US company Kraft, Thorntons is now the largest, independent chocolate and confectionery company in the United Kingdom. On 3 April 2007, Thorntons set up what is thought to be the world’s first edible billboard, yummy! (more…)

Christmas may be near but this does not mean that wedding planning should grind to a halt. If you are busy filling up those Christmas stockings, then take advantage of this festive season to prepare gifts for your bridal party too.

Here at WGA, we’ve not stopped doing the two things we love best; weddings and shopping. Whilst salivating over Anya Hindmarch’s recent collection (especially since our interview with Anya Hindmarch, Malaysia), we’ve come up with our very own ‘Bridal Party‘ gift list. Scroll down and find out! We’ve got gift ideas for everyone; from simple gestures to thank your bridesmaids to gifts for both your mothers, or even if you just want to treat the most important person of all – you, the bride, of course!

1. To thank your ‘very patient’ bridesmaids, ’Especially when you were bride-zilla!’

A little something for being the bestest friends in the world!

2. To the best man and the groomsmen, ‘For behaving at the wedding!’

Laptop bag, glasses case and even a bag for their cables and chargers!

3. To thank your maid of honour, ‘For always being prepared!’

For those 'I can count on you' moments

4. To both your sisters, ’For all their hard work behind the scenes!’

Sisters are like your best friends and your best family rolled into one!

(more…)