Guide To Wedding Cakes: What You Need To Know

Wedding cakes have been around since ancient Rome, and today, there are endless options to choose from. From flavour to design, there's a lot to consider when selecting a wedding cake. The average cost of a wedding cake is $510, but prices vary depending on the size, details, and time it takes to make and decorate. Most bakers charge per slice, so the bigger the cake, the bigger the budget. It's recommended to order a cake that allows for one slice per guest, and to book your baker at least six months in advance. Before your tasting, it's a good idea to do some research and come prepared with a list of questions. You'll want to consider the style of your cake, the number of guests, your budget, and any dietary restrictions. The tasting itself will be a fun and indulgent experience, but it's important to pace yourself and come with a clear palate. Wedding cakes are a long-standing tradition and an important part of the big day, so it's worth putting in the time and effort to find the perfect one.

Wedding Cake Style: The cake should complement the wedding's theme, colour palette, seasonality and formality

Wedding cakes have been around since ancient Rome, when a groom would break a loaf of barley bread over his new wife's head. Thankfully, today's couples have the freedom to choose the dessert of their choice, with no hard and fast rules to obey.

The wedding cake should complement the wedding's theme, colour palette, seasonality, and formality. For instance, a laid-back beach wedding may call for a more relaxed cake design, while a glamorous winter wedding in a ballroom would suggest something more elegant and sophisticated.

Before meeting with bakers, it is a good idea to envision your dream cake. Consider whether you want it adorned with the same flowers that will be in the centerpieces, or if you want the icing to match the bridesmaids' dresses.

The inside of the cake should also mimic the outside in terms of flavour and design. For example, if you choose a lemon cake, you could decorate it with lemon accents. You can also play with design elements like lace, appliqués, textures, and florals. Mixing metallics and clean lines, or contrasting colours, can also make for a stunning cake.

If you are using fresh flowers on your cake, choose blooms that are in season when you are getting married. If the flowers you want are not in season, opt for sugar flowers, which look just as real and add a gorgeous design element.

The multi-tiered wedding cake is the most traditional and classic option, but there are endless choices when it comes to wedding desserts. A creative dessert display with multiple sweet offerings, including a wedding cake, is a popular option that allows couples to showcase their personalities.

• Be open to suggestions from your baker. They may offer a particular cake or flavour that surprises you and is perfect for your wedding.
• If you are having a winter wedding, consider a cake with more cinnamon flavour, or other seasonal flavours.
• If you are set on a certain design, flag cakes you like on Pinterest or Instagram so you can bring images to your cake-tasting appointment.
• You can get creative with your tiers. Play with different shapes, such as square, hexagonal, or lopsided tiers. You can also vary the height of each tier.
• Think outside the box with your decorations. You can ask about custom cake toppers, incorporate your wedding colours in unique ways, or even hide little messages in the design.
• If you are worried about the cost of a complex design, consider ordering a simply frosted wedding cake and applying flowers yourself at the venue.
• If you want to ensure your cake is moist, ask the bakery to drizzle simple syrup between the layers before assembling it.
• If you are planning to save the top tier of your cake for your one-year anniversary, make sure you love the flavour! Otherwise, you may want to order a fresh cake in the same flavour for your anniversary.

With so many options available, designing a wedding cake that complements your wedding's style can be a fun and creative process.

Wedding Cake Budget: The average cost of a wedding cake is $510, but can vary depending on size, detail and time taken to make and decorate

When it comes to wedding cake budgets, it's important to know that the average cost of a wedding cake is $510, but this can vary quite a bit depending on several factors. The final price will depend on the size of the cake, the intricacy of the design, the number of tiers, the ingredients used, and even your location. Wedding cakes are typically priced by the slice, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $15 per slice.

The size of the cake is a significant factor in determining the cost. The more guests you plan to serve, the larger the cake you'll need, and the higher the cost will be. An average 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people, so for a larger wedding, you'll likely need a multi-tiered cake.

Another factor that affects the cost is the labour involved in creating the cake. You're paying for the cake designer's talents, time, and labour, as well as cake storage and delivery. Wedding cakes are elaborately decorated and constructed, requiring special equipment and skills, which is reflected in the base cost.

Details such as handmade sugar flowers, intricate piping, edible gold leaf, and other embellishments will also add to the total cost. The type of frosting you choose will also impact the price, with fondant generally being more expensive than buttercream.

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, there are a few options. You can opt for a smaller cake and supplement it with other desserts like cupcakes or cookies, or go for a "display" cake, which is a fake cake used for photos and cutting, and serve your guests a less expensive sheet cake. You could also choose a simpler design with fewer tiers and fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers.

Wedding Cake Baker: Book your baker at least six months in advance and ask about their availability, pricing, portfolio, references and delivery

Wedding cakes have been around for centuries, and today, couples have the freedom to choose the dessert of their choice. While the options are endless, it's important to book your baker at least six months in advance to ensure availability. Here are some key considerations when booking your wedding cake baker:

Availability

It's essential to book your wedding cake baker early, at least six months before your wedding. Wedding cake bakers can get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons. By booking in advance, you can ensure that your chosen baker is available on your wedding date.

Pricing

Wedding cakes can vary significantly in price, depending on the size, complexity of the design, and the baker's expertise. Most bakers charge per slice, so the cost will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. Be sure to discuss pricing and your budget with your baker to ensure you get the best possible cake within your price range.

Portfolio

When choosing a wedding cake baker, ask to see their portfolio of past wedding cakes. This will give you an idea of their style, design capabilities, and the types of cakes they have created for other couples. It's also helpful to bring images or ideas of cakes you like to your consultation so the baker can understand your vision.

References

Don't hesitate to ask your potential baker for references or check online reviews. This will give you insights into the baker's professionalism, reliability, and the quality of their cakes. Reading reviews from past clients can help you make an informed decision and ensure you're choosing a reputable baker.

Delivery

Discuss the delivery process with your baker. Confirm if they provide delivery to your venue and the timing of the delivery. It's crucial to coordinate this with your venue and wedding planner to ensure a smooth setup on your big day.

Additionally, ask about the setup process. Some bakers may offer additional services, such as setting up the cake table, adding final decorations, or providing a cake-cutting set. Understanding these details will help you plan the logistics of your wedding reception and ensure a seamless experience.

Booking your wedding cake baker early and asking the right questions will ensure that you have a beautiful and delicious cake for your special day. It's also important to enjoy the process and stay flexible, as your baker may offer suggestions or alternatives to create your dream wedding cake.

Wedding Cake Presentation: Decide where the cake will be displayed and when it will be cut. Also, consider whether you want to provide your own cake knife and champagne flutes

Wedding cakes have been a tradition since ancient Rome, and today they often serve as a centrepiece at weddings. The cutting of the cake is a special moment in the wedding reception, symbolising the first activity done as a couple.

There are several options for when to cut the cake. You could do it as a grand entrance, with all eyes on you as you enter the reception, or after your first dance. Alternatively, you could cut the cake after the toasts, or pause the party and have the DJ announce the cake-cutting. If you don't want to make a fuss, you could also sneak away and cut the cake privately, perhaps with just your photographer present.

Traditionally, the bride and groom cut the first piece of cake together, before feeding each other a small bite. This is a romantic gesture, symbolising a commitment to provide for one another. However, some couples prefer to have the maid of honour, a friend or family member, or staff at the venue do the honours.

As for the display and presentation, the cake should be placed in a position of honour at the reception. You could choose to provide your own cake knife and champagne flutes, perhaps a set that can be used again on your anniversary. There are many options available, from simple gold-rimmed glasses to more personalised options. You could also consider providing other serveware, such as plates and forks, to match the wedding aesthetic.

Finally, don't forget to find out if your venue or caterer charges a cake-cutting fee per slice, and whether they will provide a cake-cutting set.

Wedding Cake Tasting: Come to the tasting with ideas about flavour, style and budget

Wedding cake tasting is one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning. However, it is not just about eating lots of cake. To get the most out of the experience, it is important to come to the tasting with some ideas about flavour, style and budget.

Flavour

Before the tasting, think about what flavours you like. If you love chocolate cake, or red velvet is your favourite, let the bakery know so that they can prepare samples for you. The same goes for frosting: if you know you want buttercream and not fondant, or you only like cream cheese frosting, be sure to let your baker know. You can also get creative with your fillings. Ask the bakery for their suggestions, or, if you have something specific in mind, don't be afraid to ask!

Style

It is helpful to have some ideas about the desired look of your cake. Do you want sugar flowers or real blooms? Do you want an elaborate watercolour design? Bring some images of cakes you like or simply describe your vision. You’ll likely get a sketch from the bakery soon after your tasting.

Budget

Know your budget. Being upfront with your baker about how much you want to spend will ensure you get the best possible cake within your price range. Most wedding cakes are priced by the slice, so the bigger the cake, the bigger the budget. A good rule of thumb is to order a cake that allows for one slice per guest. If you are supplementing your wedding cake with a dessert table or a groom’s cake, the wedding cake doesn’t need to be large enough for all your guests. Displaying a smaller cake and serving slices from an affordable sheet cake is another option to keep a wedding cake within budget.

Frequently asked questions