Tasting And Ordering Your Wedding Cake: Timing Is Everything

Wedding cake tasting and ordering is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is recommended to book a cake tasting about six months before the wedding to allow enough time to finalise details like venue, delivery time, and set-up. Couples should research bakers in their area, paying attention to style, portfolio, and reviews. When meeting bakers, it is important to discuss the design, size, flavour, and budget for the cake. The timing of the initial order depends on the wedding date, with summer and fall weddings requiring more time. It is suggested to order between 4 to 6 months in advance, with final payments made 2-3 weeks prior. The cake is typically made a few days before the wedding to ensure freshness.

How far in advance to order and taste

The general rule of thumb is to book your wedding cake tasting around six months before your wedding day. This gives you enough time to finalise other details, such as the venue, delivery time, and set-up. It also allows for a follow-up appointment if you need to do a second round of tasting.

However, it is worth noting that some bakers recommend ordering your cake at least six months in advance, and up to 12 months if your wedding falls during peak wedding season. This ensures that your baker has ample time to work their magic and secure your date.

When it comes to the tasting itself, be prepared to spend around one to two hours sampling different cakes. Your baker will describe each flavour in detail and offer notes or substitutions. It is a good idea to bring a pen and paper to jot down your thoughts and review them before making a decision.

Before the tasting, be sure to ask about the price, as this varies from baker to baker. Additionally, arrive with a clear idea of the flavour profile you want and any specific design inspirations you may have. This will help guide your baker in creating the perfect cake for your special day.

Finally, don't forget to keep in touch with your baker in the months leading up to your wedding, especially if you make any changes to the cake details.

Choosing a vendor

• Start with research: Explore different wedding cake vendors by searching online or asking for recommendations from friends and family. Pay attention to their styles, designs, pricing, and reviews to create a shortlist of potential vendors.
• Consider your wedding details: Before reaching out to vendors, have a clear idea of your wedding theme, colour palette, venue location, guest count, budget, and any allergies or dietary restrictions. This information will help vendors tailor their proposals to your specific needs.
• Schedule consultations and tastings: Meet with your top vendor choices to discuss your requirements and taste their cake samples. Be prepared to ask questions about flavours, fillings, pricing, delivery, and any other concerns you may have.
• Provide inspiration: Bring along images, sketches, or any other inspirational materials that can help the vendor understand your vision for the cake design. This can include your floral design, invitation design, wedding attire, or décor choices.
• Discuss timing: Find out the vendor's lead time for ordering a wedding cake. Some vendors recommend ordering at least six months in advance, while others suggest ordering up to 12 months in advance, especially for peak wedding seasons.
• Finalise the details: Once you've selected a vendor, work with them to finalise the cake design, flavours, and any additional requirements. Be sure to ask about delivery plans, setup, and any other logistics to ensure a smooth process on your wedding day.

Cake size and guest list

The size of your wedding cake will depend on the number of guests you are inviting. A small 3-tier cake (6x8x10 round) will feed 74 guests. A more traditional 3-tier cake will serve between 50 to 100 guests. If you are inviting more guests, you can add extra tiers to your cake. However, it is worth noting that not all guests will want or have a slice of cake, and some guests may not attend, so it is recommended that you finalise your guest list before ordering your cake.

Wedding cakes are often priced by the slice, with prices ranging from $6 to $15 per slice. This means that the size of your guest list will also impact the cost of your cake. To avoid ordering too much cake, you can ask your baker to provide a smaller display cake for the cake-cutting ceremony and sheet cakes for slices.

When deciding on the size of your cake, it is also important to consider the time of year and location of your wedding. If your wedding is outdoors or in a warm climate, you may need a larger cake to ensure that there is enough to go around, as guests may be more inclined to eat cake if it is a warm day.

It is recommended that you book your wedding cake tasting 6 to 12 months in advance of your wedding date. This will give you time to finalise the design and flavour of your cake, as well as to make any necessary adjustments if your baker cancels. The tasting is a great opportunity to discuss the size of your cake and how many guests you are expecting with your baker, who will be able to offer expert advice and guidance.

Cake design and decorations

The design and decorations of your wedding cake are just as important as the flavour. The cake should reflect your wedding style and accent the decor. Here are some tips to help you design a gorgeous wedding cake that will make your special day memorable:

• Match your wedding theme: If you've chosen a wedding theme, extend it to your cake design. For example, if you're having a Monet-inspired garden wedding, consider a cake with watercolour flowers and vines.
• Play with textures and accents: Experiment with different textures and accents like lace, appliqués, florals, metallics, and clean lines. You can also mix and match design elements like lace and florals or metallics and clean lines.
• Use fresh or sugar flowers: Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes, but sugar flowers are a great alternative if you're concerned about real flowers wilting. Sugar flowers look realistic and can be eaten.
• Consider the season: Choose decorations that reflect the season of your wedding. For example, opt for lemon accents for a spring wedding or use flowers that are in season for a summer wedding.
• Get creative with flavours: In addition to the standard vanilla and chocolate, consider unique flavours like pink champagne with Bavarian cream frosting or white chocolate raspberry with white chocolate buttercream.
• Think about the cake size: The size of your cake should be proportional to the number of guests you expect. A small 3-tier cake can feed around 50-74 guests, while a larger 3-tier cake can serve up to 100.
• Make it personal: Incorporate personal touches into your cake design, such as recreating elements of the bride's dress or using the wedding venue as inspiration.
• Work with a professional: A professional baker can bring your vision to life and offer creative suggestions. Be sure to book your baker at least six months in advance, and preferably 12 months if you're getting married during peak wedding season.

Remember, your wedding cake should be a reflection of your style and taste. Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box!

Budgeting

Guest Count

The number of guests you'll need to serve is a significant factor in determining the cost of your wedding cake. The bigger the cake, the more ingredients and labour are required, which increases the overall cost. An average 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people, so consider the number of guests you're inviting when deciding on the size and number of tiers for your cake.

Design and Decorations

The design and decorations you choose for your wedding cake can also impact the cost. A cake with intricate details, sugar flowers, fondant frills, edible gold, or other elaborate decorations will generally be more expensive than a simpler cake with classic buttercream icing and fresh flowers. If you have a specific theme or colour scheme for your wedding, incorporating those elements into the cake design may also increase the cost.

Custom Flavours and Fillings

While the flavour of your wedding cake may not significantly impact the cost, requesting certain custom flavours or fillings can increase the price. For example, if you want a time-intensive filling like a homemade fruit compote or a liquor-infused sponge, it will likely cost more than a standard flavour. Discuss your flavour preferences with your baker to understand any potential additional costs.

Delivery and Setup

Don't forget to include delivery and setup costs in your budget. Wedding cake delivery typically requires a refrigerated van and careful coordination with your baker. Complex cakes may require additional time for assembly on-site, and some bakers may charge a delivery fee or a cake-cutting fee per slice. Be sure to discuss all the details with your baker in advance to understand the full cost.

Timing

It's recommended to hire a wedding cake baker at least six months before your wedding day, and ordering the cake even earlier if possible. This will give you time to spread out vendor deposits and avoid last-minute rush fees. It's also a good idea to schedule your cake tasting and design consultation early in the process so that you can make informed decisions about your budget and design choices.

Frequently asked questions