the wedding cake

The cake tasting appointment is laughingly referred to as the highlight of the wedding planning process – the time when people jump out of the woodwork to “help” you plan your wedding. Undoubtedly, bakers want to make cake shopping as pleasurable as possible, but there are a few things you can do as well. First, start your search early. One baker recommends six months, at the very least, to a year in advance. Next, figure out other essentials. What style wedding do you want: casual, formal, themed? How many people are you inviting? A baker can guide you through the process, but it helps to  start thinking about what you want.

flavors

There are hundreds of different flavor choices. Brides today often request more than one flavor in their wedding cake. “They’re interested in letting their guests have a choice,” explains one area baker.

She explains that her customers want sophisticated flavors for their cakes. Liqueur-based cakes and fruit flavors are extremely popular. There is such a wide variety of flavors now that the daring bride can even choose flavors such as mochachino or champagne. But traditional white and yellow flavors are still popular. They help to accent distinctive cake fillings such as fruit, chocolate, cream cheese, curd, and mousse. For an entirely different take, some brides even choose cheesecake as part of their dessert offering.

size & cost

Knowing how much cake to order can be a lot of guesswork. Consider several factors when consulting your baker:

How many guests will attend? How large will each serving be? Is leftover cake desired, and if so, how much? Will you retain a portion of the cake to freeze for your first anniversary?

The number of servings it yields determines the price of a wedding cake. Serving sizes differ widely from bakery to bakery, so find out what the serving size is and communicate that to whoever cuts the cake at your reception.

delivery

Wedding cakes are complex, delicate constructions that require professional handling. Most bakers include the cost of delivery and set-up in the price of the cake. If a particular baker charges extra, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and a flawless cake.

Bakeries have the correct vehicle to transport wedding cakes and bakers know how to assemble one on site. Bakers who deliver also bring along equipment to repair any minor dings a cake might acquire along the way. Many supply decorative cake knives, but some do not. Make sure you know who is responsible for what. Will the cake deliverer put the floral decorations on or will the florist? If you choose a tiered cake, you may be responsible for returning columns and other items to the baker after the wedding. You may want to ask a trusted friend to return them for you.