Choosing The Perfect Wedding Cake: A Guide

Choosing a wedding cake is a big decision, and there are many factors to consider. From flavour to size, and design to dietary requirements, it's important to do your research and be prepared.

The first step is to decide on the type of cake you want. Traditional tiered cakes are still popular, but there are also alternatives such as cupcake towers, donut towers, or even a cheese tower. If you're having a small, intimate wedding, a single-tier cake might be the best option. For larger weddings, a multi-tiered cake is more suitable.

Once you've decided on the type of cake, you'll need to choose a flavour. This is where you can let your personality shine through. Do you want a classic flavour like vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet? Or something more unique like banana coconut mocha or spiced pear with chai tea icing? It's important to consider the season when choosing a flavour. For example, a light and fruity cake might be better suited to a summer wedding, while a rich, decadent cake would be perfect for a winter celebration.

Don't forget to think about your guests when making your decision. Consider any dietary restrictions and try to choose a flavour that will appeal to a range of tastes. You might also want to offer multiple flavours or a cake with multiple fillings to give your guests options.

Finally, don't forget to hire a professional baker to bring your vision to life. They will be able to guide you through the process and ensure your wedding cake is not only delicious but also structurally sound and visually stunning.

Choosing a traditional or alternative wedding cake

A traditional wedding cake is usually round and approximately 3-4 inches tall, with multiple tiers. It is often a vanilla, chocolate, or fruit cake, with buttercream or cream cheese frosting. These cakes are considered timeless and classic, and they pair well with various fillings and toppings. They are also universally loved, making them a safe choice for pleasing a large crowd.

On the other hand, alternative wedding cakes can be square or hexagonal, and they come in a variety of unique flavours and fillings. Some popular alternatives include:

• Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting
• Coconut cake with vanilla, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting
• Lemon cake with berries, elderflower, lavender, or mint
• Almond cake with white or vanilla cake and sour cream frosting
• Chocolate and raspberry cake
• Banana coconut mocha cake
• Spiced pear cake with chai tea icing
• Ginger and passionfruit cake with chiffon or mousse

When choosing between a traditional and alternative wedding cake, there are a few things to consider:

• The number of guests: If you have a large number of guests, a traditional multi-tiered cake may be a better option to ensure everyone gets a slice.
• Your budget: Alternative cakes with intricate designs and unique flavours may be more expensive.
• Your theme: If you want a modern or contemporary theme, an alternative cake with a unique shape or flavour may be more suitable.
• Your personal preference: Ultimately, it's your wedding, so choose a cake that you and your partner love, regardless of whether it's traditional or alternative.

In conclusion, both traditional and alternative wedding cakes have their advantages and appeal. Traditional cakes are classic, crowd-pleasing choices, while alternative cakes offer more unique and creative options. The best cake for your wedding will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.

Selecting a baker

• Start your research early: Wedding cake bakers tend to get booked up quickly, so it's important to start your search well in advance. It is recommended to schedule a wedding cake tasting at least three to six months before the wedding. This will give you enough time to find the right baker and finalize the design and flavour of your cake.
• Narrow down your options: The options for wedding cake bakers can seem endless, so it's essential to narrow down your search. Start by reading online reviews, asking for recommendations from friends and recent brides, checking out local bridal expos, and visiting nearby bakeries that display wedding cakes. Select about three to five cake bakers that you want to contact and consider reaching out to your caterer, as they may offer this service or have recommendations.
• Ask the right questions: Once you have a shortlist of potential bakers, get your initial questions answered via email or phone to determine if they are a good match. Ask about availability, pricing, portfolio of past work, references, delivery and storage methods, licensing and insurance, custom design options, and any other specific requirements you may have.
• Schedule a consultation and cake tasting: Meet with your potential bakers in person to discuss your vision for the cake. Bring inspiration photos, as well as a photo of your dress, bridesmaids' dresses, and any other details related to your wedding's colour palette. The cake tasting is also an important part of the process, as it allows you to sample different flavours and icings. Remember that you can choose from a variety of flavours beyond the traditional yellow and chocolate cake.
• Finalise the details and sign a contract: Once you've found the right baker, be sure to put everything in writing. The contract should include details such as the agreed-upon cake design, size, flavours, special instructions, pricing, and delivery information. Most reputable cake bakers will also require a deposit to reserve your wedding date.

Deciding on a cake size

Number of Guests

The number of guests at your wedding is the most important factor when determining cake size. It is recommended to cater to 90% of your total guest count to ensure that a majority of people receive a slice. For example, for a guest list of 80, you would need a three-tiered cake to cater to around 70 guests. This calculation also takes into account that not all guests will want a slice of cake.

Type of Cake

The type of cake you choose will impact the size. Traditional wedding cakes have round tiers that are approximately 3-4 inches tall. Modern wedding cakes, on the other hand, often feature taller tiers, ranging from 7-8 inches in height. The height of the tiers will affect the number of servings you can get from each tier.

Type of Slices

There are two types of wedding cake slices: finger portions and dessert portions. Finger portions are typically smaller, measuring 1x1x4 inches, and are ideal for casual sampling, especially later in the evening. Dessert portions, on the other hand, are larger at 2x1x4 inches and are often served as dessert during the wedding breakfast.

Single-Tier vs. Multi-Tier Cakes

The number of tiers will depend on the number of guests. Single-tier cakes are perfect for smaller, intimate weddings, serving between 10-30 guests with finger portions. Multi-tier cakes are suitable for larger weddings, with the number of tiers ranging from two to seven or more, depending on guest numbers and the cake designer's skills.

Cake Shape

Wedding cakes come in various shapes, including round, square, and hexagonal. Each shape yields a different number of portions. Round cakes are considered classic and timeless, while square cakes offer a modern and clean look. The shape you choose will impact the number of servings you can get from your cake.

Dietary Restrictions

Consider any guests who may have dietary restrictions or simply prefer not to eat cake. Ensure that these guests are removed from your serve count and provided with alternative dessert options that meet their needs. Many cake makers offer vegan and gluten-free options, such as cupcakes, to accommodate these guests.

Leftovers and Anniversary Traditions

Think about whether you want any cake leftover to enjoy the following day or to freeze for a later date, such as your first anniversary. Traditionally, the top tier of a wedding cake was saved for the first anniversary or the birth of the first child. If you wish to follow this tradition, discuss it with your cake designer, who can factor this into the final cake size.

Additional Desserts

If you plan to have a dessert table or other sweet treats such as cupcakes or donuts, this will impact the size of your wedding cake. Consider the variety of desserts and the number of guests when determining the size of your cake.

Time of Serving

The time you plan to serve the cake will also affect the size. If served as dessert, you will need larger portions (dessert portions) to accommodate 100% of your guests. If served in the evening, finger portions are usually sufficient, and you would only need to cater to around 90% of your guests.

When deciding on the size of your wedding cake, it is essential to communicate all these factors to your wedding cake designer. They are the experts and will be able to advise you on the right size cake to ensure you have enough for your guest count and to avoid unnecessary waste.

Picking a flavour

Firstly, it's your wedding, so pick a flavour you love! If you're a couple with classic tastes, you might opt for a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. Alternatively, if you're chocolate lovers, you could go for a plain chocolate cake or add a twist with flavours like hazelnut and chocolate buttercream or dark chocolate matcha with berries. Red velvet is another rich and decadent option, often paired with cream cheese frosting.

If you're looking for something a little less conventional, you could experiment with unique flavours like banana coconut mocha, spiced pear with chai tea icing, or ginger and passionfruit. These flavours can be a great way to add a personal touch to your cake and surprise your guests.

Seasonality is another factor to consider when choosing your wedding cake flavour. For a summer wedding, a refreshing passionfruit cake with light buttercream or a lemon cake with lemon curd and fresh strawberries are excellent choices. In contrast, autumn calls for richer flavours like chocolate and raspberry or spiced pear with brown butter frosting.

Portion size is another critical factor. You'll want to ensure you have enough cake for your guests, but not so much that it goes to waste. A good rule of thumb is to cater to 90% of your total guest count.

Finally, don't forget to consider any dietary restrictions your guests may have. It's a good idea to provide alternatives for those with food allergies or special dietary needs, such as vegan or gluten-free options.

By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to choose a wedding cake flavour that will delight you and your guests, creating a memorable sensory experience for everyone.

Considering dietary requirements

Firstly, it is advised that any guests with dietary restrictions are removed from your serve count and provided with an alternative sweet option that meets their needs. Many cake makers offer vegan and gluten-free options, such as cupcakes, for these guests.

If you are catering to guests with allergies, it is important to plan ahead. Ask guests in advance by handing out response cards that include a field for them to detail their allergies and dietary restrictions. It is also helpful to know the severity of their allergies, as some people can consume small amounts of the allergen.

At the wedding, it is helpful to label the cake with any allergens it contains. For example, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and nut-free are some of the labels you can incorporate. This idea works well when there is a wedding dessert buffet station.

It is also advised to never be shy about discussing allergens with your catering team, as they can easily swap in alternatives.

You may also want to consider ordering a small cake in a different flavour that you can keep for yourselves, and a more universally-popular flavour for your guests.

Finally, it is worth noting that it is not necessary or realistic to take every single person's taste preferences into account when choosing wedding cake flavours.

Frequently asked questions