Stranger Saves Couple’s Wedding Cake

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. tiered / tɪərd / (adj) – consisting of several layers
    Example:

    Sarah had a four-tiered cake for her 18th birthday.


  2. happen to (do something) / ˈhæp ən tə / (idiom) – to be doing something by chance
    Example:

    I happened to be sitting by the window when he passed by.


  3. garner / ˈgɑr nər / (v) – to earn or collect
    Example:

    Paul garnered medals in the triathlon.


  4. sustain / səˈsteɪn / (v) – to suffer something negative
    Example:

    She sustained an injury from her fall.


  5. insist / ɪnˈsɪst / (v) – to demand an action and not allow anyone to disagree
    Example:

    The librarian insisted on giving free books to children.


Article

Read the text below.

A bakeshop owner in the United Kingdom has successfully repaired a couple’s ruined wedding cake.


The day before their wedding, Millie and Matt drove to the hotel with their cake, which Millie baked herself. When they arrived, the couple discovered that the wedding cake had melted during the ride. Matt felt bad for his fiancée who worked hard to make the three-tiered cake.


Luckily, Clare Vaz, a baker, happened to be in the venue to deliver cupcakes. The hotel staff asked for her help and she rushed home to save the cake.


Clare reshaped and redecorated the top and bottom layers of the cake to make them look new. The middle tier cannot be repaired, but Clare did not have enough time to bake a new one. Instead, she used a dummy cake to replace it.


Millie thanked Clare for her kindness through a Facebook post. Clare also shared her experience on Facebook and garnered numerous praises for it.


Meanwhile, another bride’s wedding was saved by people she did not know. Owners of a wedding dress shop in Australia gave Aniwa Graham / græm /, a woman scarred by some burns she sustained as a child, her dream wedding dress for free.


The store Bridal by Aubrey Rose announced that it would give away 35 gowns to those who cannot afford one. Aniwa went to the event and found a perfect long-sleeved dress that can hide her scars. Unfortunately, the dress was not being offered for free. However, the owners knew she loved the dress and insisted to give it to her for free.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• If you were the one who received help from a stranger, how would you thank that person?
• Would you also help a stranger prepare for his or her special day? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Why do you think some people like DIY (e.g. baking their own cake, making their own clothes, etc.)?
• Would you do DIY or just order/buy something that is needed for your special day? Explain.