Designing Your Own Wedding Cake: Is It Possible?

Designing your own wedding cake can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to carefully consider the time and effort involved. While it can be a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day, it's not as simple as it seems. Here are some key things to think about when deciding whether to design your own wedding cake:

- Skills and Enjoyment: Ask yourself if you enjoy baking and have the necessary skills. It's essential to be calm and confident in the kitchen, especially when facing the challenge of creating a wedding cake.

- Time Management: Creating a wedding cake takes significant planning and time management. Ensure you have the time and space to bake, decorate, and transport the cake without adding unnecessary stress to your wedding preparations.

- Expectations: Be realistic about your expectations. Unless you're a professional baker, your cake might not look like something out of a magazine. Simple, rustic decorations are often more achievable and can still be beautiful.

- Practice: Consider doing a test run of your cake to familiarise yourself with the recipe and decorations. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure the final product is as close to your vision as possible.

- Equipment: Make sure you have all the necessary equipment, including cake pans, parchment paper, cake boards, dowels, and decorating tools. Some specialty items may need to be purchased in advance.

- Transportation and Storage: Plan how you will transport the cake to the wedding venue and ensure you have a suitable space to store it until the big day.

- Backup Plan: Even the most experienced bakers can have off days. Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, such as knowing where to buy a plain cake at short notice.

- Flavours and Fillings: Get creative with flavours and fillings to make your cake unique. You can experiment with different combinations or stick with classic choices like vanilla, carrot cake, or red velvet.

- Size and Servings: Consider the number of guests you need to serve and choose the appropriate cake size. You may need to adjust recipes or add additional tiers to accommodate a larger guest list.

- Cost: While DIY wedding cakes can save money, don't forget to factor in the cost of ingredients and any special equipment you may need to purchase.

Choosing a flavour

Another thing to consider is the frosting. It doesn't need to match your cake flavour exactly, but you want to make sure that the icing and the cake go well together. There are many options to choose from, such as buttercream, ganache, cream cheese frostings and fondants. You could also skip the frosting altogether and go for a naked cake.

If you're having multiple tiers, you could choose multiple flavours. This gives your guests a variety of options to choose from. Just make sure that the flavours complement each other and don't clash.

• Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate buttercream
• Vanilla sponge cake with raspberry jam filling and marzipan frosting
• Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
• Graham cracker cake with chocolate ganache, marshmallows and vanilla buttercream
• Lemon cake with raspberry mousse and Swiss meringue buttercream filling

Selecting a design

Number of Tiers

The number of tiers you choose for your wedding cake will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. A two-tier cake is a popular choice for smaller weddings, while larger weddings may require a three-tier or even a four-tier cake. If you're unsure about the number of guests, it's always better to estimate more rather than less to ensure everyone gets a slice.

Cake Shape and Style

The shape of your wedding cake can vary from the traditional round tiers to square, rectangular, or even heart-shaped cakes. You can also choose from different edge styles, such as straight edges or scalloped edges. Additionally, consider whether you want the entire cake to have the same design or have different designs for each tier.

Colour Scheme and Decoration

The colour scheme of your wedding cake should complement the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding. Decide whether you want pastel or bold shades and choose decorations that enhance the design. Fresh flowers, berries, and cake toppers are popular choices for wedding cake decorations. You can also add ribbons, fondant details, or edible flowers and sugar flowers for a more personalised touch.

Cake Flavour and Filling

When selecting a cake flavour, consider your preferences and those of your guests. Traditional options include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or carrot cake. However, you can also get creative and experiment with different combinations, such as adding seasonal ingredients or incorporating flavours that hold special meaning for you. Don't forget to choose a delicious filling, such as buttercream, fruit curd, or jam, to make each bite even more indulgent.

Assembly and Transportation

If you plan to assemble the cake tiers on-site, ensure you have the necessary tools and a stable surface to work on. Consider the logistics of transporting your cake to the wedding venue, including the required storage space and any special arrangements needed to ensure the cake arrives safely and intact.

Practice and Timing

Baking and decorating a wedding cake takes time and practice. Allow yourself extra time to perfect your design and manage your expectations. It's a good idea to make a test cake, practice assembling and decorating, and keep careful notes to refine your technique.

How many tiers?

The number of tiers you choose for your wedding cake will depend on several factors, including the number of guests, your budget, and the desired look of your cake.

Number of Guests

The general rule of thumb is that a two-tier cake is sufficient for a small wedding of up to 50 guests. For 100 guests, a three-tier cake is recommended. If you're expecting 150 to 200 guests, you may want to opt for four or five tiers. And for a grand celebration of 200 or more guests, a six-tier cake or a smaller cake with a sheet cake of the same flavor can be a good option.

Budget Constraints

When it comes to budgeting, extra tiers can quickly increase the cost of your cake. Each additional tier requires more time and effort to bake, stack, and decorate, driving up the price. Therefore, it's essential to consider your budget and decide how many tiers you can realistically afford.

Design and Aesthetics

The number of tiers you choose will also depend on the overall design and look you want for your cake. If you're aiming for a tall, elaborate cake as the centerpiece of your reception, consider the number of tiers that will achieve the desired height. On the other hand, if you prefer a broader, more spread-out cake, a two-tier cake with a cascade design might be more suitable. Dummy cake tiers or platform tiers can also be used to create the illusion of height without adding extra cake layers.

In summary, determining the appropriate number of tiers for your wedding cake involves considering factors such as guest count, budget constraints, and design preferences. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right number of tiers to ensure your cake is both functional and aesthetically pleasing for your special day.

Making it yourself or buying it?

There are pros and cons to both options. If you make your own wedding cake, you can save a lot of money, which can then be spent on other important things like a honeymoon or a house payment. It can also be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you enjoy baking and have a strong opinion about food. You will have complete control over the ingredients and can make the cake exactly to your liking.

However, making your own wedding cake can be a time-consuming and stressful task. It requires significant planning and effort, and you will need to carefully weigh the expense of a cake against your time and expectations. If you are running around between salon appointments, hosting out-of-town guests, or decorating your venue in the days leading up to your wedding, baking a cake in the middle of all that may not be the best idea.

Additionally, if you are particular about how your cake looks and tastes, you may find yourself stressed and disappointed if it doesn't turn out exactly as you envisioned. Transporting a homemade wedding cake can also be a challenge, and you will need to ensure that it is properly stored and transported to the venue.

On the other hand, buying a wedding cake can save you time and stress. You won't have to worry about baking and decorating the cake yourself, and you can be confident that it will be delivered to your venue on time and in good condition. You can also choose from a variety of designs and flavors offered by professional bakeries.

However, buying a wedding cake can be expensive, with average wedding cakes costing around $500, or $5-10 per slice. You may also have limited control over the ingredients and flavors, and if you have a specific vision for your cake, you may not be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Ultimately, the decision to make or buy your wedding cake depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. If you enjoy baking and have the time and resources to do it yourself, making your own wedding cake can be a rewarding experience. However, if you prefer to avoid the stress and hassle, buying a wedding cake from a professional bakery may be the better option.

Some sources suggest a combination of both options, such as making a small "show" cake for cutting and then buying sheet cakes from a store to serve to your guests. This can be a good way to save money while still having a beautiful and delicious wedding cake.

Transporting it to the venue

Transporting your dream wedding cake to the venue is a crucial step in the process. Here are some tips to ensure your cake arrives safely and securely:

Planning and Preparation:

• Check with the baker: If you are ordering a cake from a bakery, ask for their transportation recommendations and get the cake's measurements and refrigeration requirements. Knowing the dimensions will help you plan for vehicle space and fridge space at the venue.
• Coordinate with the venue: Confirm that the venue has a refrigerator available to store the cake, if necessary. If not, consider a dessert bar with multiple smaller cakes.
• Use proper packaging: A sturdy cake drum and cardboard box are ideal for transporting your cake. A cake drum is a heavy-duty cake board that provides a stable base. The box should be the same width as the cake drum, with enough height to accommodate the cake.
• Prepare the vehicle: Reserve a flat, level surface in your vehicle to place the cake. Avoid placing it on laps or slanted car seats. Ensure the vehicle is cool and well-ventilated, especially during hot weather.

Transportation:

• Drive carefully: Assign someone to sit next to the cake during transport to hold it steady. Avoid sharp turns and hard brakes, and be cautious when driving over speed bumps.
• Bring a repair kit: Pack a cake "emergency kit" with extra frosting, icing spatulas, and other decorating tools in case any touch-ups are needed upon arrival.
• Enlist help: Consider sending two people to transport the cake, especially if it is a large or heavy cake. This will ensure someone can always be with the cake and assist with any last-minute issues.

Assembly and Finishing Touches:

• Save the cake stand for the venue: Avoid transporting the cake on a cake stand unless you are experienced. Instead, place the cake on its cake board or drum directly on the stand at the venue.
• Assemble on-site: For highly decorative or heavy tiered cakes, consider assembling the cake at the venue. Bring all the necessary tools and finishing touch elements, such as piping bags, palette knives, and ingredients for any last-minute touch-ups.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your self-designed wedding cake arrives at the venue safely and securely, ready to be admired and enjoyed by all your guests.

Frequently asked questions