Aside from a bride in her dress, nothing says wedding like the cake!

 Like many wedding traditions, the wedding cake is evolving to meet the needs of today’s couples.  All but gone is your grandmother’s fruit cake and today we see cupcake trees shaped to look like a wedding cake.  In either case, the wedding cake tradition continues to symbolize the sweetness of life and live, fertility, prosperity and community as you share your cake with friends and loved one.

 Bakers:  When choosing a baker, remember to use advice from other wedding vendors that you are using as will as friends recommendations.  But don’t stop there.  Ask to see a business license indicating that they may legally prepare and sell food.  This is your assurance that they pass a local health and safety inspections.  As hosts, the welfare of your guests is easy to ensure through the use of reputable businesses.  You may pay a few dollars more, but a good reputation is its own insurance.

 The Shop:  Professional cake decorators will have a showroom with a selection of false cakes on display to help you visualize what your cake will look like.  Generally, the bigger the display, the busier the shop.  This is a good sign that they are well referred and are likely to do a quality job for you.  A prominent display of current and past thank you notes are always a good sign.

 Photos:  Look for photo books containing pictures of their own work, not someone else’s in a magazine.  Anyone can buy a magazine but few people can prepare these works of art.  The simple truth is that no one can duplicate the work of another decorator exactly and they should tell that up front.  Remember to discuss in detail what differences may be expected when re-creating a cake from a magazine photo.

 Sampling:  When the time comes to sample the wares of a potential baker, you should be able to select 2 – 4 complimentary samples for tasting, though additional samples may be available for a fee.  Try it before you buy it.  If you don’t like the samples, discuss this with the baker, perhaps another selection will be more to your liking.

 Decisions:  If you think you’ve found your baker, reserve them with a deposit.  Most bakers are only able to do a limited number of orders due to the high labour requirements and perishable nature of a wedding cake.  First come, first served is normal and a modest deposit will ensure your order and allow you to stroke something off your list.  Once booked, final decisions on size and style may wait until 3 -4 weeks before the wedding.  Final payment is usually due before the wedding.

 Tips: The best bakers are in demand, shop at least 3 months ahead.

            Plan to spend 2% of your budget depending on style and size.

            Bakers don’t make bouquets and florists don’t bake cakes.

 Written by Glenda O’Reilly, A Piece of Cake Inc.

Reproduced with permission 2004

 

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10 Tips for Choosing A Cake Designer

By:  Helen Stubbs, of Marmalade Cake Company in located in Toronto ON

1) Research - Check out wedding websites, chat groups and recent brides.
Word of mouth says a lot about a baker. Each baker has different specialties & styles; classical, whimsical, modern or funky.

2) Referral - Been to a party, shower or wedding and really liked the look and taste of the cake? Ask who made it and book a consultation.

3) Design Ideas - Your baker should have a lot of photos of their work for you to see. By all means, tear out those photos in magazines. A picture is truly worth a thousand words! Each baker has a different style to bring to their work. Let them offer their ideas to reflect your wedding's style.

4) Size - If the cake is your main dessert, aim for a few extra portions just to be sure each guest is served. A good baker will provide you with clear diagrams to show how their cakes are portioned evenly. Make sure your caterer follows these notes, or you may run short of cake...horror! If the cake is part of a dessert buffet, it really isn't necessary to feed a big slice to everyone. Aiming for 2/3 to 3/4 of your guest numbers is a safe range and saves you money.

5) Choice - Is the cake your main dessert? Avoid hassles and serve one or two flavour choices at the most. Alternating flavours at each seat is interesting to the eye...but don't be offended to see guests do the odd trading of plates! If the cake will be part of your buffet, ask for a variety of flavours...traditional chocolate & vanilla, fresh citrus, something mocha/liqueur...possibilities are endless.

6) Seasonal - Celebrate your wedding's season! Flavours are never a rule, but it is a good reflection of your theme. Fresh berries are fantastic in Spring and Summer but expensive and poorer quality later in the year. Autumn is perfect for richer tastes of maple, toasted nuts, liqueurs & dried fruits. Winter brings memories of peppermint, cinnamon & mocha. Gorgeous!

7) Quality Ingredients - This is the most important dessert you'll probably ever eat, so only the best will do. Ask your baker what ingredients they use. You should expect nothing less than fresh unsalted butter, pure chocolate, real fruits & fresh cream.

8) Price - Bakers often quote cake prices based on the number of portions you'll need. Expect to pay between $3- $7 for a quality slice of cake.
Prices vary greatly depending on whether you go to a grocery store, a bakery or a private cake designer. Flavours, ingredients and the cake's decoration can be simple or complex, also affecting the final cost.

9) Booking - Bakers are often first-come, first-served. Some take only one booking per week, others are able to bake many cakes in one day.
Consultations generally occur 3 to 6 months before your wedding date, though larger bakeries don't require as much advance notice.

10) Cancellations - Ask in advance about cancellations and penalties. You should certainly be able to change details of your cake up to a month before your date. If you don't feel you've chosen the right baker and you've already put down a deposit, speak to them about your concerns. A good consultation can put any unanswered questions and queries to rest. If not, look elsewhere.

Don't forget to enjoy a slice on your wedding day...you've worked hard to find your perfect cake!