We’re honored to share that we’ve won Best of State 2026!!!!

That makes 13 years in a row… something I don’t take lightly for a single second.

To every client who has trusted us with their most meaningful celebrations, thank you for being part of this journey

And congratulations to this year’s winners!! It’s an honor to be among you.

This season is already shaping up to be something special… we can’t wait to show you what’s coming.

If you still need a cake, for any type of celebration reach out. E-mail is the fastest and easiest way to start your process. Click here

Thank you so much for everyone! Extremely grateful - Ale

Flowers That Should Never Be Used on Wedding Cakes (and What to Use Instead)

In luxury wedding design, every detail is considered.

From the way a table is set to how a ceremony is framed, nothing is placed without intention. The same should be true for the wedding cake,especially when florals are involved.

Because while flowers bring softness and beauty to a cake, not all flowers are safe to use in direct contact with food.

And it’s a distinction that matters more than most realize.

Not All Beautiful Flowers Are Food-Safe

It’s easy to assume that if a flower is commonly used in weddings, it must be safe to place on a cake.

But many of the most beloved blooms are, in fact, toxic—or at the very least, not suitable for direct contact with food.

Flowers like foxglove, lily of the valley, oleander, and daffodils are highly toxic and should never be used on a cake in any capacity that risks contact with edible surfaces.

Others—such as ranunculus, anemone, sweet pea, eucalyptus, and hellebore—may not be deadly, but can still cause irritation or introduce unwanted compounds when placed directly onto a cake.

Even flowers that are generally considered “non-toxic,” like roses and peonies, present a different issue. In most cases, they have been treated with pesticides and are not food-grade. Without proper handling, they should not come into contact with anything being served.

The Difference Between Decorative and Designed

At a glance, placing flowers onto a cake may seem simple.

In reality, it requires the same level of thought as any other design element within a wedding.

There is a difference between decorating a cake with flowers and designing a cake moment.

The latter considers not only how the flowers look, but how they are placed, how they interact with the cake, and how they are experienced by guests.

In well-designed weddings, florals are never inserted casually. They are positioned with intention, often using barriers, wraps, or picks to ensure that no stem or treated surface touches the cake itself.

How to Incorporate Florals Safely

There are refined ways to include florals in cake design without compromising safety.

Flowers can be placed adjacent to the cake, cascading from the base or surrounding the display. When blooms are incorporated onto the cake itself, they should always be separated from the surface using food-safe materials.

This is where collaboration becomes essential.

A thoughtful partnership between florist and cake designer ensures that both the visual and practical elements are considered—resulting in something that feels seamless, elevated, and well-executed.

When Edible Flowers Are the Right Choice

For those who want florals to be fully integrated into the cake itself, edible flowers offer a beautiful alternative.

Varieties such as pansies, violas, calendula, chamomile, and nasturtium can be used safely—provided they are grown and sourced specifically for culinary use.

These blooms bring a softer, more organic feel, and can be especially compelling when the overall design leans garden-inspired or textural.

A Higher Standard of Design

At the highest level, wedding design is not just about what is seen—it’s about what is considered.

Every element, no matter how small, is approached with care.

Florals on a cake should feel intentional, refined, and seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic. But they should also be handled with the same level of responsibility as any other detail that comes into contact with guests.

Because true luxury is not just about how something looks.

It’s about how thoughtfully it is done.

-by Lilly & Iris Floral Artistry

www.lillyandiris.co 

The Best of State Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence in business across the state. Each year, businesses from all industries compete for this honor, and it’s not just about the products or services—they evaluate everything from customer service and sustainability to community involvement. To be named the best of the best, year after year, is truly a testament to our unwavering commitment to our craft.

Twelve years ago, we started with a simple goal: to provide exceptional products/services to our community. What we didn’t know at the time was how much that commitment would shape our business, our relationships, and our success. From the very first Best of State win to today, we’ve grown in ways we never imagined. Along the way, we’ve faced challenges that tested our resolve, but with every obstacle, we’ve only become stronger.

This win is a powerful reminder that excellence is never accidental. It’s the result of passion, perseverance, and a shared vision. Our team has always gone above and beyond to create something special, and being recognized for that effort is incredibly rewarding. But this recognition isn’t just for us—it’s for every person who has supported us along the way. From our loyal customers to the families who make up our incredible team, this award belongs to all of us. We’re committed to continuing our journey of growth and innovation, always striving to provide even better experiences for our customers. If you haven’t already, come try our cakes and experience what makes us unique, or stay tuned for exciting new updates.

This 12th consecutive win isn’t just a number—it’s a symbol of everything we’ve achieved together. We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. Thank you for being part of this journey, for believing in us, and for making this incredible achievement possible. Here’s to many more years of excellence!

The Best of State Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. By recognizing excellence in our community and sharing examples of success and triumph in so many worthy endeavors, we hope all will be inspired to reach a little higher, to try a little harder, and to work a little smarter for our dreams and goals.

Hello cake friends,
I wanted to let you know that I have decided to rebrand this year. Carrie's Cakes is such a dear and special name to me. Working with Carrie for so many years and then taking ownership these past 2.5 years has been a dream come true. However, the time has come to personalize my business to better fit my long term goals.

The new name of the business will be cake by Alessandra.

It has always been very important to me to learn and master many different cake styles and techniques. This came to play when choosing a new name. I wanted to incorporate what I am all about (cake) while keeping it simple and sophisticated.

I am super excited for this transition and I am also working on a fun signature cake flavor that showcases the state of Utah. It is going to be so great!

Follow us on IG for our latest projects and behind the scene stories @cake.ut

I appreciate all your love and support!!! Thanks you so much, Ale

We will also be at the Bridal showcase at the Mountain America Expo Center on January 4th and 5th. We hope you will stop by our booth to say hello.

Carrie and Ale
www.carriescakes.com
(801) 901-6485

I LOVE when I get amazing photos of my couples enjoying their cake, so without further ado enjoy some of my favorite photos of this exact moment, and tell me you love it too! 

Photos by: Madison Elle Photo, Hickenlooper Photo, Kenzie D Photography, Kate Osborne Photography, Lindsey Orton Photography, Jessica Janae Photography, Claire Marika Photography

We came across this great company that creates custom flash drives! Flash drives come in handy for us all the time, from sharing and storing our portfolios, to sending information on cake classes or instructional videos-we actually use flash drives quite a bit. 

I definitely recommend these to my wedding vendor friends as well as my brides! There's so much that can be done with them-even in a wireless age, I still love these flash drives and use them all the time, so I know others will too!

Plus, these are quite affordable, so I know you won't be afraid to use them and give them out! 

Get them here: USB Memory Direct 

Check out some of my most recent faves below! 

We are truly so thankful to each and every bride, client, friend, friendor, and beyond who trust us to create their dream cake for their event. We couldn't do what we do without your constant support, inspiration, and ideas. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! 

To get you in the mood I thought I would share some of my old faves:

Click here to RSVP!

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to Rocky Mountain Bride for loving this shoot as much as we all did and featuring it in the pages of your magazine!!! 

You can all pick up your very own copy at the end of the month, but for now I'll share the digital copy with you!

Vendors: 

Planner: Fuse Weddings & Events

Florist: Artisan Bloom

Photographer: Heather Nan

Makeup: Lesley Lind

Paper: Ann Elizabeth

With Christmas being RIGHT around the corner we wanted to share some of our favorite cakes from years past:

I just love the combination of both fresh blooms + glam as well as sugar flowers + glitter! 

Happy Holidays!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to each and every Bride and client and individual who voted for me! 

Get inspired by a few of my favorite designs:

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Watch Carrie on KUTV Fresh Living as she recreates the phenomenon, on a cake! Thank you, Kari & Dave, for having us! 

Check out the video below for all of the fun!