Wedding Cake Decorating: A Guide To Becoming A Professional

Wedding cake designers have the challenging but rewarding job of creating beautiful cakes for couples' big days. It's a role that requires a combination of baking skills, creativity, and attention to detail. If you're interested in becoming a wedding cake decorator, there are several steps you can take to pursue this career. Firstly, consider obtaining a formal education in baking and pastry arts, either through a dedicated program or by taking standalone courses. During this time, you can develop your cake decorating and sugar work skills, as well as learning about pastry production. Gaining industry experience is also crucial; you can look for entry-level positions in bakeries, restaurants, or catering companies to learn the basics and build your portfolio. Apprenticeships are another traditional route into the profession, providing hands-on training under the guidance of experienced bakers or cake designers. Developing your own signature style and building a strong portfolio will help you stand out and secure clients. Networking and marketing yourself through industry events and social media are also important for building a successful career as a wedding cake decorator.

Learn the basics of baking and decorating

To be a wedding cake decorator, you need to master the basics of baking and decorating. Here are some essential tips to get you started:

Ingredients

The first step in creating a beautiful and delicious cake is gathering the right ingredients. The main components of a cake are the cake itself, the frosting, the filling, and the decorations. When it comes to the cake, you can choose from a variety of options depending on your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and colour combinations. Classic flavours like chocolate cake or vanilla butter cake are always a good choice, and you can even layer them for a unique combination. For the frosting, options include buttercreams, glazes, whipped cream, and more. You can also add your own twist with food colouring or different flavours like chocolate or citrus. The filling can be simple, using the same frosting, or you can add a fun twist with options like lemon curd, jams, or chocolate ganache.

Tools

Having the right tools is crucial for cake decorating. Here are some must-haves:

• Offset spatula: This helps you spread the frosting evenly and smoothly without getting your fingers in the buttercream.
• Serrated knife or cake leveler: This is used to cut the tops of the cakes flat, ensuring a neat and professional finish.
• Piping bags and tips: These allow you to decorate with precision and create delicate designs.
• Turntable: A turntable makes frosting the cake much easier as you can spin it smoothly while decorating.
• Cake board: This thin board makes it easier to move your cake from the turntable to a platter, and it provides a stable base for decorating.
• Sprinkles, edible ink, food colouring, fondant, and marzipan: These add colour, texture, and creativity to your designs.

Techniques

Once you have the ingredients and tools, it's time to master some basic decorating techniques:

• Prepare your workspace: Before you start, gather all the ingredients and tools you need. It's crucial to have everything ready to ensure a smooth decorating process.
• Cool the cakes completely: Always wait for your cakes to cool completely before decorating. This is important because the final texture and crumb of the cake are still developing, and the heat can melt your frosting.
• Cut the tops for a flat surface: Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to cut off any curved or domed tops, creating a flat surface that's easier to work with and gives a neater finish.
• Apply the filling: Choose your desired filling and spread it evenly between the cake layers.
• Apply the crumb coating: This thin layer of frosting seals in any crumbs, ensuring a smooth final layer of frosting.
• Apply the top layer of icing: Use a larger amount of frosting for the final coat, spreading it evenly on the top and sides of the cake.
• Smooth the sides and fix the edges: Use an offset spatula or metal bench scraper to gently press down and push any excess icing towards the centre, creating a neat and smooth finish.
• Pipe the borders: Fit a pastry bag with a desired tip, fill it with frosting, and pipe out your desired border design.
• Add garnishes: Sprinkles, fresh fruit, chopped chocolate, or candied flowers can be added as the finishing touch to your cake.

Develop a signature style

Developing a signature style is an important step in becoming a wedding cake decorator. It will help you stand out from the crowd and establish yourself as a unique and innovative cake artist. Here are some tips to help you develop your signature style:

Define Your Niche

Start by defining your cake genre and specific niche. This will help you establish your unique selling point and set you apart from other cake decorators. For example, you may want to specialise in creating elegant and sophisticated wedding cakes or fun and whimsical cakes for children's parties.

Find Your Artistic Style

Experiment with different techniques and styles to find what resonates with you. Try different icing techniques, such as piping, fondant work, or hand-painting. Play with different colour palettes, textures, and flavours. Draw inspiration from your personal interests, cultural background, or travel experiences.

Embrace Your Creative Inner-Self

Don't be afraid to think outside the box and let your creativity shine. Combine different techniques and elements to create something truly unique. For example, you could incorporate fresh flowers, gold leaf, or edible glitter to add a touch of glamour to your cakes.

Stay True to Yourself

Your signature style should be a reflection of your personality and interests. If you have a bold and vibrant personality, don't be afraid to incorporate bright colours and bold patterns into your cake designs. If you have a more understated style, opt for elegant and simplistic designs.

Continuously Evolve

Trends in the cake decorating world are constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date and adapt your style accordingly. However, don't feel like you have to follow every trend. Instead, use them as inspiration and put your unique twist on them.

Developing a signature style takes time and practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't find your style right away. Keep experimenting, learning, and refining your skills, and your signature style will emerge naturally.

Build a portfolio

Building a portfolio is an essential step in becoming a wedding cake decorator. A portfolio is the key to your success, as it showcases your work and helps you secure clients. Here are some tips to help you build a strong portfolio:

• Take high-quality photos of your cake designs: Visual appeal is crucial in the wedding cake industry. Showcase your cakes' aesthetic and structural elements, including any intricate details, decorations, and tiers.
• Collaborate with a wedding photographer: Team up with a wedding photographer who is also building their portfolio. This way, you can exchange services and help each other build impressive portfolios.
• Use a lightbox to create a studio feel for your photos: A lightbox can help you capture professional-looking photos of your cakes by providing even lighting and a clean background.
• Include photos of cake slices to showcase the layers and entice viewers: While the exterior design is important, don't forget that taste is also a key component of a wedding cake. Include photos that showcase the delicious layers and fillings of your cakes.
• Feature a variety of cake sizes in your portfolio: In addition to large, multi-tiered cakes, include smaller items like sweetheart cakes or individual mini cakes. This will show your versatility and adaptability to different wedding sizes and styles.
• Provide pricing information and booking details: Your portfolio should not only showcase your cake designs but also provide potential clients with practical information. Include your pricing structure, package options, and clear instructions on how to book your services.
• Highlight client testimonials and reviews: Include positive feedback and testimonials from satisfied clients. This social proof will help build trust and confidence in your services.
• Consider using a portfolio template: There are pre-designed portfolio templates available online that can help you structure and brand your portfolio professionally. You can customise these templates to match your style and include all the necessary information.
• Seek feedback and continuously improve: Share your portfolio with industry peers and mentors to get constructive feedback. Continuously refine your cake designs, photography skills, and portfolio presentation to showcase your best work.

Remember, your portfolio is a living document that evolves as you grow as a wedding cake decorator. Regularly update it with new creations, experiment with different styles, and always strive to highlight your unique signature style.

Gain experience in the industry

Gaining experience in the industry is a crucial step in becoming a wedding cake decorator. Here are some ways to build that experience:

Education and Training

Enrolling in a culinary arts program focusing on baking and pastry arts is a great starting point. These programs offer courses in cake decorating, sugar work, and pastry production. Escoffier's Baking & Pastry Arts program, for instance, includes a Cake Design & Decorating course that covers mixing methods, cake styles, icings, fondant, and assembly.

If a formal education is not for you, consider taking standalone courses or workshops in baking, pastry arts, cake construction, and decorating. You can also learn through on-the-job training in a bakery, restaurant, or catering company.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a traditional way to gain hands-on experience in wedding cake design, kitchen organization, and sanitation. You'll be guided by an experienced baker or cake designer in a professional kitchen setting. Apprenticeships typically last between one and three years.

Industry Externships

Some educational institutions, like Escoffier, offer industry externships as part of their programs. This allows students to gain practical experience in a bakery, restaurant, or other pastry establishments. It gives them an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and learn about the entire cake-making process, from order to delivery.

Entry-level Positions

Look for entry-level positions in bakeries, restaurants, or catering companies to get your foot in the door. These positions will allow you to work in a kitchen and learn the basics of pastry production and cake decorating. You'll also gain valuable experience in customer service, which is an essential aspect of the wedding cake industry.

Practice and Develop Your Skills

Create cakes for family and friends or volunteer to make cakes for local events or charities. This will give you the opportunity to practice your skills and build a portfolio of your work. The more you practice, the better you'll become at mastering advanced techniques and developing your own unique style.

Build a Portfolio

As you gain experience and develop your skills, create a professional portfolio to showcase your work. Take high-quality photos of your cakes and display them to potential clients or employers. Collaborate with wedding photographers who are also building their portfolios to help each other out. You can also use social media to showcase your creations and reach a wider audience.

Gaining industry experience through a combination of education, training, and practical work will set you up for success in becoming a skilled and sought-after wedding cake decorator.

Get certified

Getting certified in pastry arts is a great way to demonstrate your skills and expertise to potential clients and employers. There are several certifications available for wedding cake designers, including:

Wilton Method Cake Decorating

Wilton is a well-known brand in the baking industry, offering various cake decorating courses, including wedding cake designing. The courses cover everything from basic cake decorating to advanced techniques such as sugar flowers, fondant, and royal icing.

PME Professional Diploma

PME Sugarcraft is another reputable brand in the cake decorating industry. They offer a Professional Diploma in Cake Decorating, which includes a module on wedding cakes. The course covers piping, sugar flowers, and royal icing.

International Cake Exploration Societé (ICES)

ICES is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art of cake decorating. They offer various certifications, including the Certified Master Sugar Artist (CMSA) certification, which includes a wedding cake design component.

The French Pastry School

The French Pastry School in Chicago offers a Wedding Cake Design course as part of its Professional Cake Decorating program. The course covers cake structure, design elements, sugar flowers, and piping techniques.

American Cake Decorating

American Cake Decorating is a magazine dedicated to cake decorating. They offer the Certified Cake Decorator (CCD) program, which includes wedding cake design. The program covers design, structure, and techniques.

Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC)

Offered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), this entry-level certification allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in nutrition, food safety, sanitation, and food preparation. To qualify, you must have a combination of culinary education and professional experience.

Certified Working Pastry Chef (CWPC)

This certification is for those with previous pastry and baking experience who want to test their supervisory skills and culinary expertise. You can earn this after completing the ACF's Pastry Cook Apprenticeship Program or by having a combination of experience, apprenticeship, and continuing education.

Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEPC)

To earn this certification, you'll need at least five years of experience as an executive pastry chef or culinary leader, along with an associate degree in culinary arts and an ACF apprenticeship. This qualification demonstrates your leadership skills and expertise in the field.

Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC)

The highest qualification offered by the ACF, the CMPC is for those who have demonstrated mastery of culinary knowledge, skills, and baking techniques. It is also for those who have earned other ACF qualifications and have years of professional experience or competition honours.

Frequently asked questions