Tori and Jonathan’s wedding day at the Popponesset Inn on Cape Cod was the perfect blend of classic coastal elegance and thoughtful, intentional design. From their on-the-beach ceremony to cocktail hour at the bar overlooking the water, and finally into the indoor, tented, climate-controlled reception, every detail was planned with both beauty and guest experience in mind.

Here are a few of their original inspiration images that they sent to us:

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From the very first email, Tori and Jonathan were refreshingly clear about what they were looking for—and why. With 180 guests in attendance and a dessert table planned alongside the cake, they didn’t want or need a cake that served everyone. Instead, they were focused on a smaller, beautifully designed wedding cake that fit their budget, complemented the overall design, and still felt special for the ceremonial cutting.

They asked all the right questions:

Could we create a cake that didn’t need to serve the full guest count?
Were there options for ceremonial cutting cakes under 80 servings?
Could the design feel romantic and elevated without being overdone?

The answer was a confident yes.

Designing a Cake That Fit the Day (and the Budget)

Tori shared inspiration images and described a blue-and-white floral color palette, leaning into romantic details like pearl-textured frosting, a soft baby blue fabric bow, and subtle decorative elements rather than fresh florals. She loved the idea of frosting details—pearls, swirls, and texture—that would photograph beautifully and feel timeless.

The final design was a three-tier white buttercream wedding cake with clean, crisp, modern edges and a delicate Swiss dot (hobnail) pearl pattern wrapping each tier. The dotted texture added softness and dimension while keeping the overall look classic and refined.

A dusty slate–blue hydrangea bow was added as a focal point, tying seamlessly into the couple’s blue-and-white palette. One of the things we love most about this design is its versatility—it looks just as stunning with or without the bow, and could easily be adapted with fresh flowers or left clean and simple, just as Tori envisioned.

Why the Swiss Dot Detail Was the Perfect Choice

The pearl Swiss dot (hobnail) pattern is one of our favorite details for Cape Cod weddings. It subtly echoes:

Hobnail or patterned goblets often used in coastal table settings
Fabric-covered buttons on a wedding dress
Milk glass and compote-style centerpieces

It’s a quiet design choice that pulls the entire aesthetic together without stealing the spotlight.

Cake Size, Structure, and Flavors

To align with their dessert table plan, this cake was intentionally sized:

Top tier: 5” wide
Middle tier: 8” wide
Bottom tier: 11” wide
Each tier: 6” tall
Total height: 18”

Tori and Jonathan also chose to feature two cake flavors, giving guests variety while keeping the design cohesive:

50% Chocolate cake with strawberry preserves filling
50% Red velvet cake with chocolate ganache buttercream

It’s a perfect example of how couples can have multiple flavors without increasing the size—or cost—of their cake.

The Cake Stand: A Detail with Purpose

The cake was displayed on a 16” white Sarah’s cake stand from our collection. Its timeless silhouette nods to milk glass hobnail design, and the shape of the foot was intentionally chosen to mirror the compote vases used for the centerpieces—a subtle but meaningful way to create visual continuity across the reception space.

A Cake That Felt Like Them

Tori and Jonathan’s wedding cake wasn’t about excess—it was about intention. By pairing a smaller ceremonial cake with a dessert table, they were able to save on budget while still having a cake that felt personal, elegant, and completely aligned with their vision for a romantic summer wedding on Cape Cod.