Sweet Elevations Cakes and More

There’s a story behind every design—and this one is mine. If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Alicia, the owner and lead cake artist behind Sweet Elevations. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for continuing to trust me with your most meaningful moments. I was recently featured in Voyage Baltimore, and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the journey behind this business—the growth, the intention, and the standard I hold for every client experience. Sweet Elevations was built with purpose. Each design is created to feel personal, refined, and aligned with the vision you’ve spent time dreaming through. If you’ve ever wondered who is behind the designs—it’s me. I lead the creative direction for every Sweet Elevations order, and when needed, I’m supported by a team to ensure each detail is executed with the level of care your celebration deserves. From the initial conversation to the final presentation, every detail is approached with intention so your experience feels seamless, elevated, and worthy of the moment you’re celebrating. If you’d like to learn more about the story behind Sweet Elevations, I invite you to read the full feature: /interview/rising-stars-meet-alicia-permenter-of-oxon-hill If you’re planning a wedding or special celebration, I would be honored to create something designed just for you. -Alicia

I’ve been searching for the Washington Weddings issue all month……only to find out it was hiding inside the January edition of Washingtonian Magazine the entire time. [insert sloooow eye roll lol] So today’s wins include: ✨ Finally finding the magazine (shoutout to Whole Foods Market in Virginia for having it!) ✨ Celebrating my Mom’s birthday over breakfast, but also ✨ Choosing peace by ordering donuts, eggs, and bacon instead of cooking after days of baking Because after all that oven time… who is turning on the stove? Not I! Some days are about big milestones. Other days are about small victories, food, and laughing at yourself along the way. Today was all of that!!!! __________ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭. Being featured on Fox 5 is a moment we’ll carry with us for a long time—not because of the spotlight, but because of the journey and the community that led us there. To our clients, supporters, collaborators, and extended Sweet Elevations family: thank you for showing up in ways both seen and unseen. We were deeply moved by those who took time out of their morning to tune in, send messages, capture photos, and even record the segment to share with us. That kind of thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed, and it means more than we can fully express. We are incredibly thankful to Mikea @mikeaontv and Brian, and @fox5dc for allowing us to be part of such an intimate and joyful moment in their story. Being trusted with something so meaningful is truly an honor. A special note of gratitude to Joy, who stepped back in without hesitation to support us behind the scenes. Her presence, care, and willingness to show up with intention speaks volumes, and we are so thankful for her. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do— to create with heart, to honor stories, and to grow with purpose. Always with gratitude. __________ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥.

Planning your cake often begins with the overall design— the shape, the color palette, the inspiration. What’s often not seen are the smaller decisions that bring it all together. In designs where florals are a focal point, each petal is carefully shaped to create movement and softness. It allows the design to feel natural— and fully intentional. These are the details that give a cake its presence. The difference between something that is simply decorated… and something that feels intentionally designed. If you’re drawn to refined, detail-driven design, this is the level of care behind it. It’s often these smaller details that allow a design to feel complete

Planning your wedding cake often starts with inspiration… but there are a few details most couples don’t discover until much later. The size of each slice. What actually goes into achieving a certain design. How the cake is displayed, served, and experienced by your guests. These are the details that shape more than just how your cake looks. They shape how it feels on your wedding day. The goal is not simply to have a beautiful cake. The goal is to have a cake that fits seamlessly into your celebration— visually, logistically, and experientially. If you’re early in the planning process, save this as a reference. And if you’re ready to begin designing your wedding cake, I’d love to guide you through what that can look like for your day. -Alicia Planning @eventdesigngroup | Photographer @jao__photography | Venue @fleetwoodfarmwinery

Some of the most meaningful moments you celebrate aren’t always the biggest ones. They’re the birthdays. The milestones. The quiet, intentional gatherings with the people who matter most. These are the moments that deserve just as much care. Many of you first discover us during your wedding season— and then continue to trust us with your celebrations year after year. That is something we never take lightly. Sweet Elevations has always been about more than a single moment. It’s about being part of your story—through every season worth celebrating.

This design came together the way it did for one reason-we started the conversation early. Before a single detail was finalized, we walked through the full vision with our client. Not just flavors. Not just size. But how this cake would live within the celebration. We thoughtfully considered: • the proportion and scale of each tier to create a clean, architectural presence • the smooth, uninterrupted finish for a refined and modern aesthetic • the placement and balance of the monogram as a focal design element • how the height and structure would stand within the space and photograph with intention • and how the overall design would align seamlessly with a sophisticated, editorial setting By the time the design was complete, it didn’t feel like a separate element. It felt integrated. Considered. 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍. This is what happens when design decisions are made early—with guidance, clarity, and a full understanding of the event as a whole. For our clients and the planners we collaborate with, this level of detail is not an afterthought—it’s expected. And it’s what allows everything in the room to feel cohesive from the very beginning. —— Planning+Design @howertonwooten | Photographer @terribaskin | Videographer @drip_shotzz | Floral Design @assemblybyk | Production+Lighting @djmaxpowers | Table Top Rentals & Chairs @posh_eventrentals | Dinner Napkins & Chairs @smthingvintage | Table Linen @bbjlatavola @selecteventgroup | Wedding Cake @sweet_elevations | Officiant @ceremonies_by_shelby | DJ & Up-Lights @djcurley_sue | Content Creator @payecreations | Bridal Suite and Groom’s Suite Decor @splevents | Bride’s Attire @elegancebyroyaoldtown @lapremierebridalofficial | Tuxedos @stanlion_clothing | Bride’s Beauty @jwiafe_ @makeupby_pnang | Groom’s Barber @channingfadeum

There’s a moment at every wedding that isn’t always planned for - but it’s always felt. The room is set with intention. Florals are in place. Textures, tones, and details have been thoughtfully layered throughout the space. Guests begin to arrive—and then, their attention shifts. Not just to the cake… but to how seamlessly it belongs. It complements the florals without competing. It reflects the tone of the celebration without overwhelming it. It feels as though it was always meant to be there. This is not something that happens by chance. It’s the result of thoughtful planning, guided design, and a clear understanding of how each element will live within the space. When the cake is considered early, it becomes more than a visual detail. It becomes part of the overall experience your guests will remember—and what event planners trust to complete the room. This is the level of care and intention we bring into every design at Sweet Elevations. Every detail considered. Every element in harmony. —— Planning and Design @modeeventsbrandoncasey | Venue @theperrybelmonthouse Photographer @inijephotography | Officiant @emilwilbekin | Suit Designs @brandonmurphyco | Performers @deontjones @yannicklebrun | Music @mrtryfe @jonateleak @mastrothecellist | Wedding Cake @sweet_elevations

One of the biggest things we see with wedding cakes… 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔. By the time many couples reach out to us, their florals are already selected, linens are confirmed, and the overall design of the room is coming together beautifully. And then comes the cake. It becomes something to "𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏"… instead of something that was thoughtfully considered from the beginning. We always pause here with our clients. Not to overwhelm—but to guide. Your cake is not just dessert. It’s one of the few elements your guests will both see and experience. When the design conversation begins earlier, everything shifts. We’re able to align: • your color palette • the movement of your florals • the textures already present in your design • and how your cake will live within the space It no longer feels separate. 𝑰𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍. This is the difference we thoughtfully guide our clients toward— so when your guests walk into the room, nothing feels added at the last minute. Everything feels like it belongs. That’s where a beautiful cake becomes part of a beautifully designed experience.

There’s something about stepping away—even briefly—that creates space. Space to think. To reset. To notice the details that often become inspiration later. Some of the textures, color palettes, and design ideas that find their way into our work don’t begin in the kitchen… they begin in moments like these. Creating something meaningful for you requires more than skill— it requires presence, intention, and the ability to see beyond what’s expected requires more than skill. It requires inspiration.

If you’re seeing this… you might be stepping into a new season. A season of planning. Of celebrating. Of bringing something meaningful to life. And we want you to know… you don’t have to navigate it alone. One of the things we love most about what we do is helping our clients take an idea—sometimes just a feeling—and turn it into something tangible, beautiful, and worth remembering. This is the season to: • Start saving inspiration that reflects your style • Think about the feeling you want your celebration to have • Begin exploring designs that go beyond “pretty” and feel designs that are intentional So as everything begins to bloom around you, this is your gentle nudge to start. Start gathering ideas. Start asking questions. Start envisioning what you truly want. We'll be here when you're ready.

Designing your cake doesn’t begin with flavors or colors… it begins with decisions like these. The textures. The patterns. The level of detail your design calls for. As we move through each stencil and mold, we’re not just choosing what looks beautiful— We’re selecting the elements that will best reflect your overall celebration design. For some clients, that means a clean, refined finish. For others, it means layered detail and statement textures that complement the florals, linens, and tablescape. This is where your cake starts to take shape— not just as dessert, but as part of the full design experience. Every detail is considered in the context of your event, so that when your cake is revealed, it feels seamlessly connected to everything around it.