Valley Wed Vendor Spotlight: Cakes by Amanda

Meet our vendors and find out why we're not your average wedding expo.

Valley Wed is a unique wedding show offering couples a handpicked selection of exceptional wedding pros in Western Mass.  It's designed especially for couples that want to go their own way, but they don’t want to go it alone.

Meet Amanda McHugh, owner of Cakes by Amanda,
a small custom cake and bakery shop in Barre, MA.

When did you start your business and why do you do what you do?

I officially opened Cakes by Amanda's brick and mortar location on June 7th, 2014. Before then I had been working out of my home for almost a year.  I was gaining customers every weekend and decided (well, my husband decided) I should probably have my own spot.  I made the decision on April 7th and made it happen 2 months later. 

Tiny Toes and little Bows Photography

I love what I do so it never feels like work. I could never picture myself working for someone else and I always knew I'd do something creative as I am an art major...so this just fit.

What is your very favorite part of your job?

My absolute favorite is getting thank you notes or great reviews after a wedding. It really means a lot when a couple takes the time to thank me, or write a review. I love hearing how they enjoyed the cake (or in some cases, didn't get to because their guests devoured it all before them).

What do you want couples to know about your business?

After I meet with clients I always like them to know that they are one of only a few people getting a wedding cake from me that weekend.  I limit how many wedding cake orders I take so that each cake gets the attention to detail it deserves.  I also like to personally deliver every cake myself.

I really enjoy when a couple tells me, "You made this process so easy."  Wedding planning is hard and stressful.  I like to make the process as easy as I can for every couple I meet with.

What's the best compliment you could hear about your work?

"It tasted as good as it looked!"  A lot of people feel like you have to sacrifice flavor and taste for a work of art.  I like to prove that you can have both!

Do you have any advice for couples about planning a wedding or the big day itself?

My one piece of advice for the wedding day would be, "Don't sweat the small stuff." I kept having to remind myself of this during my big day!  Remember that you are the only person who knows what the wedding of your dreams looks like.  If there are a few things out of place or minor mishaps, ignore them and continue with the day.  Chances are all of your guests will have no idea anything is even wrong and everyone will have a blast.

And try to take in everything because it goes by so fast!

Amanda on her wedding day by Gumula Photography

Share something you are really proud of…professionally and personally.

One of the things I am most proud of is my wedding cake! I still can't believe I managed to make my own cake the week of my wedding with everything else going on. It came out exactly as I envisioned and matched our style and personality perfectly. This year I also won a Wedding Wire award, running such a small operation I just always assumed I'd never get one!

Amanda's wedding cake by Gumula Photography

When I am not slaving away making cakes I really enjoy spending time with my husband :) sappy I know. My schedule is so hectic that we really enjoy the little time we have together.  We enjoyed going out to eat, driving around finding things to do, fixing up our old house, traveling when we can, and spoiling our princess cat Cashew.