You’ve gotten through most of the wedding plans, including the wedding favors; except for the wedding cake. So, what’s the big deal? It’s just a cake! Or is it?
Choosing a wedding cake usually is fun, unless you and your budget are on opposite ends of the earth. So, first and foremost, you have to decide what you’re looking for in a cake. Is it going to be the only desert that you are offering? Then you want it to taste good, not just be a gorgeous topper for a table.
It’s easiest to begin just like you did when searching for your wedding gown; look through bridal magazines and start compiling pictures that you can bring to a bakery that specializes in wedding cakes. As the date gets closer, begin calling some wedding cake vendors in your area. Ask if they have a website. If not, make a date to go in and look at the photos of their work. Remember, the best way to find a good vendor, is through word of mouth.
If you’ve found cakes that you love, bring those photos with you. A baker worth their salt will be able to duplicate what you’ve found. At the very least, do not walk out of their place of business without prices and colors that you want the cake to be.
The wedding cake vendor will ask you a few important questions which you should be thinking about:
- How many tiers of cake do you want? Usually, this will depend on the amount of guests you are inviting. But, today, many couples choose to have a “mock” cake (as many layers as they wish) just to look at, and another sheet cake for eating. A recent wedding I consulted on did this and you would never have known that it wasn’t a real cake. And it saved them hundreds of dollars.
- Are you going to buy your own wedding cake toppers? If you are having a theme wedding, many times you’ll want to buy one that ties in with that. Also, remember that the top tier of the cake, traditionally are frozen and eaten on the couple’s one year anniversary. The cake topper is one that you can cherish forever.
- Do you want colors that match your bridal party, or all white with gold and/or silver?
- Do you want frosting flowers or real flowers to adorn the top of the cake layers?
If you’re trying to save money, many wedding venues will include the wedding cake with the price. But beware. They will offer you a plain cake, but show you a book of upgrades. These usually are much higher than at your neighborhood bakery. So compare prices before you agree. If they are giving you the wedding cake, but not decorated, one option is that you can decorate it yourself with fresh flowers. I did that for my daughter’s wedding, and it was gorgeous!
Just remember when choosing a cake; not many people remember it like they do the edible wedding favors. So, if you have a limited budget, get the ‘mock’ cake only a couple of tiers high and have them cut the sheet cake in the kitchen. No one will be the wiser. And you’ll smile knowing how much money you saved!