You just got engaged and can’t wait to get started planning your wedding. One of the tastiest tasks is to select your wedding cake and the bakery who’ll turn your dream cake into sweet reality!
The first and most important task in planning your wedding cake is to decide on the budget. If your ideal wedding cake is a must-have, then your budget is easy. However, if your wedding cake budget is on the low end, then determine what you can spend and choose your bakery accordingly.
For your wedding cakes, research, research, research and make the internet your best friend. This will help you learn the things that you need to know about one of the most important aspects of your cake…style and design. Talk to your friends who have recently married and ask them for tips on what they would do again and, of course, what they would change. They will be an invaluable resource of information, too.
Once you have your budget or budget range set, along with ideas with likes and dislikes, call the various bakers in your area to ask questions before you make a tasting appointment to see them and try out their cakes. There isn’t any point in making an appointment with someone if they are out of your price range or don’t have the skill set to make the cakes you want.
Knowing what to ask will help you find the bakery that meets your needs. Here are a few important questions that you will need to ask.
Will you be available on my wedding date?
This is the first question that you ask of every vendor so that you don’t waste your time with vendors who aren’t available on your chosen wedding date.
If you haven’t selected your date yet, but have a general idea of when, ask what dates they do have open in that time period, and see if they will “pencil” you in for the dates you’re looking at until it’s set.
How much do you charge for wedding cake(s)? Is it per serving or by design?
All bakeries are different. Make sure that you understand how much you will pay for your cake if the bakery charges by the serving. Some bakeries will charge for extra servings if the amount of cake doesn’t fit exactly into the exact size of their cake pans. There are standard allocations that bakeries go by to determine the size of your cake. For example, if the amount of cake that you need is 125 servings, some bakeries will charge you for 150 servings because the 125 servings that you need does not fit into the allocated pan size.
Boutique bakeries sometimes charge by the design of the cake and many times the cost is higher.
Who will make my cake(s) and do you have more than one designer?
Some high-volume bakeries have more than one person who works on wedding cakes. If this is the case, you should ask who will make your cakes and whether you may have your consultation with that person or persons. If you are not able to speak to the person who will be designing and making your cake, consider it a red flag! Wedding cakes are an art form these days and its important that the artist understand your unique vision. They may be able to offer suggestions or alternatives to items on your wish list or have ideas that may work better than ones you came in with. Let your bakery collaborate with you for the best outcome.
Can I see pictures of cakes that my designer has done before?
Once you determine who will be designing your cake, request pictures of cakes that he or she has done before. It doesn’t make any sense to see pictures of cakes that someone else in the bakery has done!
Are there any hidden or extra charges that are not included in the price quoted? If so, what are they?
Some bakeries charge a minimum price per serving and you will think that you are really getting a price that will fit into your budget. That is, until you go in for your consultation and find that they charge for any customization that you ask for. For example, designing (is there a design fee?), special flavors (do you want something other than their standard flavors?), multiple flavors (do you want more than one flavor?), fillings (how about fillings?) flower placement (who will put the flowers on my cake?). Extra charges can add up to a big number you weren’t expecting or planning for. Be aware of these potential charges, for they can push your dream cake out of your budget without you realizing it!
Does the bakery charge for delivery of their cakes? Do they deliver on Sundays?
If you know the date of your wedding, and it’s on a Sunday, make sure to ask if the bakery delivers on Sundays. Also be sure to ask if there is an additional delivery fee (and how they calculate the fee), or a Sunday delivery fee, after hours fees, etc.
Do you offer cake tastings? Do you charge for them?
Cake tastings are an important part of the process and are always the most fun part! This is the time that your family can participate if you want them to. Check with your bakery to see if they charge for tastings and if there is a limit to the number of people that you can bring along. Are the tastings only for you and your fiancé or can you bring your parents too? Moms and dads have a lot of insight and are able to ask some important questions that brides may not think of. Make sure that you taste lots of flavors. You want to make sure that the bakery is able to bake all varieties of cake. The last thing that you want is a cake that looks fabulous but tastes like sawdust!
Who will set up my cakes at the reception?
When your cakes are delivered, who will be setting up the table that your cake will be placed upon? You may wish to have pictures, a serving set or votives that you want placed around your cakes. If you don’t have a wedding coordinator that will be doing it, it is important to know who will do this, and share this information with your bakery.
Do you provide a box for my 1st anniversary tier?
This also is important because at the end of the evening, your caterer is going to box up your 1st anniversary tier for you to take home. Caterers typically do not provide the box for it. Make sure that you have thought of it so that your cake will be protected for the ride home to your freezer!
Does your bakery provide take out containers for any extra cake that is left over for you and your guests to take home?
When all is said and done and the reception is over, what will you do with the left over cake? Ask your bakery if they will take-out containers for your caterer to box up your leftovers for you and your guests to take home. It’s a nice touch for your guests!
Does your bakery have cake plateaus and do they charge for them?
If you are planning on having a cake plateau to place your cake upon, find out if your bakery provides them and whether there is a rental fee. It is also important to ask who will pick up the plateau after the reception, and whether there is a charge for that. If you have a cake stand that you’ve purchased, make sure to bring it to show your baker, to make sure it’s usable for the type of cake you want. If you want a custom cake stand or plateau, ask your bakery to see if they can recommend a store or website — sometimes you can purchase them and have a special memento of your wedding day!
These are the basics of finding the perfect bakery for your wedding cakes. I hope that you have found this useful! Happy Tasting!
Sandee Moss is the owner of Cinderella’s Cakes and Sandee’s Sweets. For more information about her or her bakeries, visit www.cinderellascakes.com.