Choosing & Ordering Your Wedding Cake

You've been looking over pictures of cakes in books, magazines, and on the internet and you may be having thoughts about your own wedding cake. The Cake is the one element no wedding reception, no matter how small, can do without. Start meeting with bakers about six months before the big day. Order your wedding cake as soon as possible or at least two to four months before your wedding. It’s always better to book your vendor as soon as possible and then finalize the details closer to your wedding date. Here are some things to think about when choosing your wedding cake. Look at some of our local Cake Bakers.

Style:
When you think "wedding cake," what comes to mind? Which words best describe the vision you'd like to create?

Contemporary
Dramatic
Ornate
Simple
Traditional
Unique

Shape:
Given your cake's style, which shape will represent it best? Think about having your layers made in different shapes.

Cupcakes
Bible
Heart
Rectangular
Square
Double Rings
Round
Sheet cake
Castle
Tiered, separated with columns
Tiered, stacked

Decorations:
Details! Details! Talk to your baker about using some of the detail on your wedding dress to make decorations for your cake. They should be able to copy some of the lace, beading or other decorations from your dress onto your wedding cake. Or personalize your cake by having your, and the groom’s, initials intertwined in icing on your cake as decoration. Get sentimental! Copy the cake top your grandparents or parents used at their wedding. Here are some other ideas:

Chocolate shavings
Fresh flowers
Cherubs
Gold or silver leaf
Pearls
Birds
Wedding Bells
Sugar flowers
Toppers (choose one that matches your personality)

Flowers:
Real or sugar? Simple or Fancy? Be creative! Just remember the fancier the flower the more expensive.

Roses
Lilies
Orchids
Violets
Poppies

Flavors & Fillings:
Now is not the time to hold back. Have a multi-flavored cake! This is a great option if you can’t decide between one flavor or another, or if you want to give your guests a selection of cakes to choose from. For some extra flavor, have a wedding cake with filling. Talk to your baker about having a filling made of white or dark chocolate, strawberry, mocha or preserves.

Carrot
Vanilla
Chocolate
White chocolate
Lemon
Angel food
Marble
Banana
Liqueurs
Coconut
Mocha
Cheesecake
Mousse
Blueberry
Spice
Orange
Strawberry
Raspberry
Truffle
Praline

Colors:
Stick with tradition or select shades that complement your wedding colors. If your wedding will be having a color scheme, decorate your cake to match. If your color scheme will be rose pink, you could cover your cake with small, romantic, pink rosebuds! If you're inspired by your favorite sports team, nature, or the reception interior or just a favorite color of all time. White, Yellow, Baby Blue, Ivory, Peach, Pink, or Lavender!

Themes:
Write down a list of themes and ideas you like. Maybe the cakes designer could somehow incorporate this into the cake! Fruits, Pets, Favorite activities, Favorite places, Wildlife, or anything else you can dream up. Is your reception going to have a theme? Make your cake to match.

Groom's cake:
Having one? Why not let your groom pick the groom's cake and make it a theme such as a hobby or sport he likes. Also you may use the Groom's Cake at the rehearsal dinner for dessert for at the reception as a second dessert. You may let the guests take a piece home for favors!

Cake Budget:
Estimate the cost before and talk to your baker about your budget, they may have ideas on how to save. Will your wedding cake be mainly for show? or will it be the primary dessert? Or Both? Your decision here will help the cake designer put your money to good use.

Number of Slices:
How many guests are you having? Your cake designer should be able to help you decide on how many slices you will need. You may have your heart set on a huge cake but you may have cake coming out your ears if you are only expecting 50 guests. Talk to your baker, they may be able you scale down your dream cake.

After you have chose your wedding cake and chose your baker make sure you request a written copy of your order or contract. The order should include:

Cake Type and Style
General Description of the Decorations
Number of Layers
Fillings for Each Layer
Size, Shape, Flavor
Type of Frosting
Cake Top
Your Wedding Date
Time and Location of Delivery
Total price, including delivery and set up charges, if they apply.

Happy Eating!