Tips for ordering a wedding cake

We understand that the process of ordering a wedding cake is new territory for most brides and grooms. Just keep in mind a few tips and you will find sweet success. 

1. Be specific when asking for a price quote.  Showing a picture of a cake you like to a professional baker and asking "how much would this be?" is too nebulous. Most wedding cakes are priced "per slice", or per person served. A cake artist always needs to know how many guests you will need the cake to feed.  This determines the size of the cake you will need. 
   
2. Don't dismiss the bakery over a high initial quote. Many times, there is a way to achieve a look using different techniques and materials. Be specific when describing what you like about a particular design (i.e. “I like the look of the ruffles” or “I like the way the color fades here”, etc.)  Or you may be able to make a smaller version of your dream cake and supplement it with non-decorated sheet cake.  The sheet cake is cut and served from the kitchen along side the decorated cake and most guests will not recognize that there is a difference.  
3. Replacing part of the cake with styrofoam dummies does not usually save any money.  The expense of a wedding cake is in the time, skill and materials involved in decorating a cake. Not the flour, eggs and sugar that go into the cake itself. A better option is to have fewer decorated tiers and more sheet cake. 
4. It is important for the cake to look good, but even more important for it to taste good!  The cake is often the last event that your guests will experience at your wedding.  A delicious dessert is a great way to give your guests sweet dreams of your special day.  
5. Mini dessert buffets are becoming very popular to serve either in lieu of or along side the wedding cake.  Just remember that mini dessert doesn’t mean mini price.  These items are more labor intensive to make.  When serving only mini desserts, I recommend ordering 3 to 4 pieces per guest.  If they accompany a slice of cake, 1 or 2 mini desserts per guest is appropriate.  
   
6. Yes, you should order enough cake (or cupcakes or mini desserts) to serve all of your guests.  We’ve all seen the many plates of cake left at the table when we leave a wedding.  But imagine being the guest that doesn’t get a slice because you ran out.  When a cake is really delicious, word gets out!  People will come back to their table and eat  their piece.  
7. Can’t decide on a cake flavor?  Have different flavors for different tiers.  It is nice to offer choices to your guests.  Just remember that whenever you offer multiple flavors, you may have guests take multiple pieces.  
   
8. Consider renting a cake stand from the cake maker.  It is an easy way to create height and make the presentation more polished.  And when the cake maker brings the stand, you will get the correct size and shape stand for your specific cake.  
9. No, you don’t have to have a cake topper!  Modern wedding cakes are rarely designed with a cake topper in mind.  If you find something special that speaks to you and your fiancé, then by all means, add it to your cake.  But make sure you tell your designer about the topper.  A topper should be incorporated into the design and not look like an afterthought. 
   
   Photo: Wheeland Photography