Fun in the Sun at The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
A wedding reception at the exclusive Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh is an experience of the wonders of nature. A relaxing ambience ith the sound of flowing water greets you upon entrance, transporting you to a natural environment of multiple natural hotspings and caves.
Nick and Eileen’s Morning Reception
The outdoor reception takes place on a deck facing a pool of water and mountain. Everything is scheduled to end at 10am because the sun rises above the mountain by then, making it too hot. Banjaran has a rule of no entry for children under 12 years , except weddings.
The cake is a 2-tier chocolate cake with chocolate ganache covered with fondant. Fresh flower were preferred by clients to complement the natural surroundings. Flowers are King Proteas with fillers of Brunia Silver (both are of African origin), Eucalyptus and Baby’s Breath. King Protea on a cake is extreamly huge. As much as I favour gumpaste or wafer paper flowers, I like the challenge of using fresh flower when it suits the wedding theme. Especially when using uncommon flowers. It does make the cake unique.
Refreshments in a Cave
The cave is more like a cavity with two openings. One opening from The Deck leading to the another opening infront of the Crystal Cave (a meditation cave full or crystals on the rockwalls).
Canapes by Banjaran Chefs looking pretty on the buffet line and full range of beverages are available. Proceeded with portioning of cake for the buffet line.
Dinner at Pusing Public Restaurant
The second cake for dinner reception (held at Pusing Public Restaurant) was a red and gold Chinese Oriental design. The design is a compromise of a mixture of fresh and handmade flowers. Handmade refering to gumpaste or/and wafer paper.
The fresh flowers are at the second bottom tier featuring red rose petals of the Ecuadorian Roses. I stick them using piping gel. Royal icing or white chocolate would be a better choice. Some kept sliding down at venue. The flowers at the top tier are fully wafer paper. Fresh peonies would be much larger. With handmade wafer paper flowers, we can control the size, colour, texture, curve of individual petals so that they won’t clump together, and give shadow when light hits which is better for photography.
When I propose a new design, there will be a sketch given to clients. I’m happy the actual cake it turns out close to the sketch.
Conclusion
Clients who wants something unique, try asking for unconventional or exotic fresh flowers. Meaning not the normal roses and baby’s breath. You wouldn’t know the outcome, but on actual day it will be a pleasant surprise. Here are some previous works with fresh flowers for wedding cakes.
