| One of the major highlights of your wedding reception will be your wedding cake! Depending on your own personal style, your wedding cake can be simple and pretty or dramatic and grandiose. But whatever you decide to go with, there are some things you should think about before signing a binding contract with your baker.
First off, figure out your style based on your wedding. It would be good to have a rough estimate of how many guests are attending before going into a baker. Determine what decor the hall will have, what your budget is, your color scheme and of course, your wedding date. A cake for a 30 person beach gathering will be much different than a winter wedding for 300 people. |
And be realistic about your budget. The more labor intensive your cake will be, the higher the cost of the cake. If you are on a budget, go for a cake with quality ingredients and a wonderful taste rather than a grandly decorated masterpiece. It doesn't matter how pretty the cake is if it doesn't taste good. And make sure to do a taste test of the baker's work.
Don't put yourself into debt over the cake; spend only what you can afford. Ask your baker to show you examples of what can be done within your budget. Make compromises on design if that enables you to stay within your price range. Choose a unique cake topper to crown your cake and add a special touch.
Ask the baker for a sketch of the whole thing so you have a good mental image. It should be a collaboration between the couple and the baker. Photographs of previously designed cakes are a good starting point to show you what can be done, but get a sketch of your design. If you want more color – ask for it! If you want the design changed - now is the time to say it.
Choose faux flowers but not necessarily fake flowers. Anything and everything on your cake should be edible. Real flowers run the risk of having insecticides on them - not something you want on your cake. Organic flowers are pricey and besides, real flowers have a tendency to droop and wilt. A quality baker can hand make sugar flowers so well that your guests won't be able to distinguish them from the real thing. Use these tips wisely and get out there and start sampling!