Wedding Mechanic

Tips on Ordering Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is one of the most important parts of the reception. It will occupy a place of prominence, and you want your cake to be fabulous. These are some tips on how to work with a baker and order a fantastic cake for your wedding.

The typical time frame for ordering a wedding cake is three to six months before the wedding. If you are considering hiring a celebrity baker in a big city, plan on extending that lead time to a year or more. To book the baker, you will be required to give them a deposit ranging from 25% to 50% of the total estimated price of the cake. Of course, first you have to figure out which baker to use and what type you would like to have!

The best possible way to find a baker is through references. If you know any newlyweds, ask them who they used, and if they were pleased. You can also seek references from the other wedding vendors that you have already chosen. Venues that do not have an in-house baker will be happy to give you a referral, as will your florist, your bridal shop, and even the photographer. These people will know who is considered to be the best in the area, as well as who may have left a bride feeling disappointed.

Once you have narrowed it down to a few bakers, it is time to take a look at their portfolio of work, either online or in their shop. This will give you a good idea if their talents match up well with your vision of the perfect cake. For example, if you want a stacked rectangular fondant cake with a modern edge to it, you would probably be wise to eliminate the baker who specializes in traditional buttercream cakes with pillars.

At this point, you will be ready to meet with one or two bakers to discuss style, price, flavors, and of course, whether they are available on your wedding date. The price of your wedding cake will be based on the flavor, how elaborate it is, and how many people it needs to serve. The cost of a cake is presented as a price per person, often ranging from around $3 per person and up (sometimes way up!). A good way to lower your cake cost is to have a smaller decorative cake to display at the reception, and a sheet cake in the same flavor that can be sliced up in the kitchen and brought out on plates.

As for the design itself, there are many great places from which you can take your inspiration. Some brides like to replicate the cake that their mother or grandmother had for their wedding. Others may love the look of a cake bedecked with fresh or sugar flowers. You can also have a cake created based on one of your hobbies or shared passions.

One of the most popular ideas in wedding cake design is to have a cake made based on your wedding gown or bridal jewelry. The idea is to pull a favorite detail from the bridal gown or the wedding jewelry and replicate on the cake. For instance, if your gown is accented by a beautiful lace, your baker could reproduce the pattern in frosting on the cake. Brides who are wearing crystal bridal jewelry often like to bring that same sparkle to the cake in the form of a crystal monogram cake topper.

After you have nailed down the taste, design, and price of your wedding cake, all that is left is to wait for its unveiling on the big day. A great looking cake will be a wonderful focal point at your reception. And don’t forget about the old custom of saving the top tier of your wedding cake for your first anniversary.