When it comes to wedding receptions, one of the most unforgettable traditions is undoubtedly the wedding cake. It’s not just a dessert – it’s a work of art that symbolises the couple’s journey, unique love story and beginning their next chapter together.
Madie, the founder and head cake maker at Mad About Cakes, a bespoke custom cakes and desserts store, has made it her mission to create the most stunning, personalised, and of course delicious wedding and events cakes for couples and clients all over Melbourne. With a passion for baking that began long before she ever thought of starting a business, Madie has built a reputation for creating both beautiful and delicious cakes that become the highlight of any celebration and even caters for all dietary requirements including gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free cakes and desserts.
From intricate buttercream florals to modern fondant designs, Mad About Cakes specialises in creating wedding cakes that cater to every couple’s unique style. As a proud supplier to many prestigious Melbourne wedding venues, including for our couples here at San Remo Ballroom, Madie and her team take great pride in their work, ensuring that each cake they create is as memorable as the wedding day itself. They have proudly been awarded ABIA Victorian Wedding Cake Designer of the Year’ for four years in a row, as voted by happy brides and grooms.
With 2025 wedding trends on the horizon, we sat down with Madie to learn more about her journey, her approach to cake artistry, her advice for engaged couples and what they can expect when they choose Mad About Cakes for their big day.
SRB: Beginnings in Baking: Could you share with us how your passion for baking began, a bit about your business journey, and what led you to start Mad About Cakes?
M: I always loved baking but never intended to work professionally as a baker or study it. I actually have a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, but during my entire degree, I started baking for friends and family, which then turned into being paid for cake orders. That eventually grew into a small home business—and the rest is history! The first cake I ever made was for my husband’s (at the time, boyfriend’s) birthday. He encouraged me to continue baking and decorating from there!
SRB: Signature Style: Every cake artist has a unique, signature style. How would you describe yours?
M: This is one of the unique things about Mad About Cakes—we do everything! From rustic naked cakes to buttercream flowers, modern fondant, and everything in between. So, I wouldn’t say we have a single signature style per se. However, we do a lot of cute drip cakes for birthdays and many textured, modern buttercream designs and flowers for wedding cakes.
SRB: The Ever-Evolving Industry: Looking back to when you first began baking and decorating, what were cake designs like back then? Fast-forwarding to what they’ve become now, can you share some insight into how the world of cakes has changed over the years? What have you enjoyed most?
M: When I first began baking and decorating, it was all about fondant cakes! Buttercream was rarely used, and the semi-naked cake trend was just emerging. Drip cakes didn’t exist at all! The world of cakes has absolutely exploded in the last 5–10 years, and we’ve been really lucky to evolve with it and join in on all the fun and exciting trends.
SRB: Advice for Couples: A wedding cake is a big decision for couples to make for their big day. What advice would you give to couples looking to choose the perfect cake for their wedding day? Are there popular styles, colours, or trends you would recommend avoiding?
M: I always give couples the same advice: it’s your wedding cake, so have what you want! Often, couples try to cater to the masses or a traditional family member, but I keep reminding them to stay true to their own wants and wishes. There’s nothing you can’t have—nothing is off-limits. If your dream wedding cake is an upside-down rainbow glitter explosion, then we’ll make it happen for you!
SRB: Inspirational Sources: If a bride comes to you with no specific design in mind and gives you the freedom to incorporate your artistic creativity, where do you draw your inspiration from when designing a new wedding cake?
M: Following other cake artists on social media is a huge source of inspiration. There are so many talented artists out there pushing the boundaries of what can be made from cake and how to create it. Social media is the best place to go for fresh ideas and creativity!
SRB: Favourite Creations: Out of all the wedding cakes you’ve created, do you have a personal favourite? Could you tell us the story behind it?
M: One of my favourite creations was for a lovely couple who loved online gaming—specifically a zombie-themed game. They wanted this reflected in their wedding cake but also wanted to keep it pretty and traditional. So, the front of the cake featured beautiful stencils, ribbons, and sugar flowers. But when you turned it around, there was a giant 3D zombie jumping out of the cake! It was incredibly fun to make and really pushed my creative and cake engineering skills to the limit
SRB: Challenges and Rewards: What has been the most challenging cake design you’ve tackled, and what made it rewarding? Any stressful moments or traumatic experiences where you’ve had to start again?
M: I once made a 3D standing SpongeBob cake. I had to build an internal structure using screws and plastic tubing, which I had never done before. Successfully building it and seeing it hold the cake was incredibly rewarding—especially as it won 2nd place in the novelty cake category at the Royal Melbourne Show that year! We’ve had plenty of stressful moments and traumatic delivery experiences in the kitchen—every cake artist has! Ask any decorator about their first wedding cake, and they’ll likely have a horror story to share!
SRB: Collaboration with San Remo Ballroom: You’ve created many cakes for couples having their wedding reception at San Remo Ballroom on several occasions. How do our venue’s elegant art deco features complement and inspire your luxurious cake designs?
M: I find that a lot of couples lean toward modern yet elegant fondant wedding cakes for SRB. Draping, gold leaf, and pearls are incredibly popular and align perfectly with the venue’s aesthetic.
SRB: Future Aspirations: What future goals or exciting projects do you have planned for Mad About Cakes?
M: We recently launched an online store, which has been really successful, and we’re looking to expand the designs and options available. Additionally, as we’re getting busier, we’re slowly expanding our team by bringing on some really talented bakers and decorators. We might even explore wholesale one day!
SRB: Beyond the Bakery: When you’re not baking, decorating, and creating masterpieces, what other interests or hobbies do you enjoy? What does an ideal day off look like for you?
M: I love my family! My husband, baby boy, and little Staffy dog mean everything to me. Spending time with them is priceless and makes for the most ideal day—especially if it ends with some relaxing TV time.
SRB: Alternate Universe: If you weren’t a cake maker, what alternative career path do you think you might have pursued? Is there anything else you’d like to include about your work, experiences, or stories?
M: I love kids, so I think I might have ended up working with children in some way! Or maybe I could have been designing gardens somewhere—it’s hard to say.
I am truly lucky to have had the support of my family to dive into this bakery business. Running it from my parents’ home for so many years before taking the leap to open my own studio was a journey. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Madie’s journey to becoming one of Melbourne’s leading cake artists is a heartwarming story of passion, creativity, and dedication. At Mad About Cakes, every cake is a personalised masterpiece designed to reflect each couple’s unique love story. With exciting trends on the horizon for 2025 weddings, Mad About Cakes is ready to take your wedding cake dreams to the next level! When planning your big day at San Remo Ballroom, Melbourne’s iconic wedding venue, Madie and her team, along with our expert wedding coordinators are here to make your celebration unforgettable, one slice at a time.
You can learn more or get in touch with Mad About Cakes here:
https://madaboutcakes.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/madaboutcakesaustralia/