Inquiring About A Wedding Cake: What To Ask?

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but it's also an exciting time for couples to express their personalities and tastes. One of the most important and iconic parts of a wedding is the cake, and choosing the right baker is essential to ensuring the big day goes smoothly. When it comes to wedding cake bakers, there are several key questions to ask to ensure you get the cake of your dreams. It's important to ask about their business and experience, including how long they have been in business, their culinary background, and how many wedding cakes they make a year. Couples should also inquire about logistics, such as delivery processes, finalisation dates, and whether the baker can accommodate dietary restrictions. In addition, it's crucial to discuss the design process, flavours, and fillings to ensure the cake aligns with the couple's vision and budget. By asking these questions, couples can feel confident that their wedding cake will be a sweet success.

How much cake is needed?

When it comes to ordering a wedding cake, it's important to get the amount right. You don't want to be left with lots of leftovers, but you also don't want to run out of cake! So, how much cake is needed?

A good rule of thumb is to plan for one slice of cake per guest. This means that if you have 100 guests, you'll need 100 slices of cake. However, it's worth noting that some guests may decline a slice of cake, especially if it's served after dinner or if there are other dessert options available. In this case, you could order around 80% of the number of guests, or even as little as 60-70% if there are plenty of alternative dessert options and the cake is served late in the evening.

If you're serving a variety of desserts, you can probably order much less cake. For example, if you're offering a full dessert table or serving a separate dessert with dinner, you might only need to order 50% of the number of guests in cake.

Another option to consider is having a small 'display' cake for the traditional cake-cutting moment, and then serving guests from a sheet cake which can be kept in the kitchen. This can be a more cost-effective option, especially for large weddings.

It's always a good idea to consult with a professional baker, who will be able to advise you on how much cake to order based on your specific circumstances. They may also be able to advise on slice sizes, as wedding cake slices tend to be smaller than those you would cut for yourself from a homemade cake.

Finally, don't forget to think about whether you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake. Many couples choose to freeze the top layer and enjoy it on their first wedding anniversary. If this is something you'd like to do, be sure to let your baker and caterer know so they can set it aside for you.

What is the cost?

The cost of a wedding cake will depend on a number of factors, including the size, complexity of the design, the ingredients used, and the skill and reputation of the baker. It is important to get a clear understanding of the cost before placing your order.

Ask the baker to provide a detailed quote, outlining all costs involved. Be sure to specify the number of tiers, the flavours and fillings, and any decorations you would like included. Inquire about delivery and set-up fees, as these can add a significant amount to the final bill. Find out if there are additional charges for special requests, such as custom colours or flavours, and if there are any potential extra costs that may arise.

Discuss payment terms and conditions. Ask if a deposit is required and the amount. Find out when the final payment is due and if there are any penalties for late payments. Also, inquire about their refund policy in case there are any last-minute changes or cancellations.

Explore cost-saving options. For instance, ask if a simpler design or a smaller cake with supplementary desserts could reduce the cost. Request the baker's suggestions on how to stay within your budget while maintaining quality and taste.

Lastly, obtain quotes from multiple bakers to compare prices and identify the best value option. This ensures you understand the market rate for your desired cake and helps you find a fair deal.

What style of cake is wanted?

When it comes to choosing a wedding cake, the options are endless. But before you get to the fun part of tasting, you need to narrow down the style of cake you want. Here are some things to consider:

Traditional vs. Modern

Do you want something classic and traditional, or are you looking to make a statement with a modern twist? Traditional wedding cakes usually have round or square shapes with multiple tiers, and are iced in white with white detailing, or decorated with flowers and ribbons. Modern cakes, on the other hand, offer more contemporary shapes, sizes, and styles, and often incorporate unusual flavours.

Type of Icing

The type of icing you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your cake. Here are some popular options:

• Royal icing: A thick paste made from egg whites and icing sugar, used mostly for decoration.
• Fondant icing: The most popular choice for wedding cakes due to its versatility. It creates a smooth and clean finish.
• American buttercream: Soft and easy to cut, perfect for decorations such as swirls and rosettes. Not overly sweet.
• Italian and Swiss buttercream: Two other popular buttercream options, both made with meringue.
• Cream cheese buttercream: Perfect for carrot cakes, red velvet cakes, or lemon cakes.
• Ganache: A mixture of chocolate and cream, perfect for frosting a chocolate cake.
• Naked cake: The sponge cake is left bare, without exterior icing.
• Drip-style: Cakes covered in fondant or left naked, and then finished with a layer of dripping chocolate, caramel, or coloured ganache.

Cake Shape

The shape of your cake can vary from the classic round or square to more unusual options such as oval, hexagonal, or even staircase-shaped. You can also opt for mixed shapes, with multiple layers of differently shaped cakes.

Cake Size

The size of your cake will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. A small 3-tier cake can feed around 50-74 guests, while a larger 3-tier cake can serve up to 100. If you have a smaller guest list, a single-tier cake might be more suitable, or you could opt for mini cakes or cupcakes.

Cake Style

The style of your cake can reflect your personality and aesthetic. Here are some popular options:

• Minimalist: Less is more, with naked frosting or a single tier. Natural decorative elements like real flowers are often used.
• Maximalist: Multiple tiers, dramatic colours, and tons of decorative elements.
• Floral: Real or fake flowers are used as the design focal point.
• Textured: Waves, ruffles, lace, or decorative objects that make the icing anything but smooth.
• Painted: This style features artistic patterns or portraits on the cake.
• Ombre: An ombre effect is used with cake tiers and/or colours.
• Glamorous/Luxury: Defined by exclusive and high-quality ingredients, such as edible gold.

Remember, choosing your wedding cake should be fun! Allow it to reflect you and your partner's personalities, favourite flavours, and aesthetic styles.

What ingredients are used?

When it comes to wedding cakes, there are endless possibilities for flavours, fillings and decorations. However, it's important to ask the right questions to ensure you get the cake of your dreams.

The ingredients used in a wedding cake will depend on the flavour and type of cake you choose. A simple white cake, for instance, might include basic ingredients such as flour, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda and sour cream. More elaborate cakes might include ingredients such as:

• Gum paste or fondant
• Edible pearls
• Icing sugar
• Lemon juice
• Self-raising flour
• Vanilla
• Buttercream
• Fresh fruit or purees
• Mousses
• Chocolate
• Hazelnut dark chocolate mousse
• Cream
• Salt
• Caramel
• Fresh flowers

If you have specific dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan or kosher, be sure to ask your baker if they can accommodate your needs. It's also worth noting that less common ingredients, such as passion fruit, may increase the cost of your cake.

In addition to the cake itself, you may also want to inquire about cake stands, toppers, knives and other rental items that the bakery may offer.

Remember to ask detailed questions about the ingredients used in your wedding cake to ensure it aligns with your vision, budget and any dietary needs or preferences.

What is the delivery process?

When it comes to the delivery of your wedding cake, there are several factors to consider and questions to ask to ensure a smooth process. Firstly, inquire about the cake designer's delivery radius and if your venue falls within their delivery area. Some cake designers may have location restrictions, so it's important to clarify this from the outset. If your venue is outside their usual delivery zone, ask if they are willing to accommodate special requests and if there would be any additional charges for doing so.

Discuss the logistics of delivery timing with the cake designer. Confirm what time your venue needs the cake delivered and set up, and coordinate this with the cake designer's schedule. It's essential to provide them with clear directions to the venue and a specific drop-off location, especially if your venue is large or has multiple event spaces. Inform them of any venue-specific delivery instructions, such as unloading procedures or parking restrictions, to ensure they can adhere to the venue's rules and plan their route accordingly.

Inquire about the setup process and who will be responsible for placing the cake in its designated location. Usually, the cake designer or a designated representative will handle the setup to ensure the cake is displayed correctly and securely. Ask if they will be present during the setup and if they will work directly with the venue's event staff to ensure a seamless process. It's also important to clarify who will provide the necessary tools and equipment for the setup, such as cake stands, knives, or any additional decorations that need to be assembled on-site.

Finally, discuss the preservation and storage requirements for the wedding cake. Ask the cake designer about the optimal conditions to maintain the cake's freshness and quality. Find out if the cake needs to be refrigerated and, if so, coordinate with the venue to ensure suitable refrigeration facilities are available. If the cake doesn't require refrigeration, ask about the ideal temperature and humidity conditions to prevent melting or drying out. By understanding the delivery and setup process, you can ensure your wedding cake arrives safely and is presented perfectly on your special day.

Frequently asked questions