Wedding Cake Conundrum: Where To Order Your Dream Cake

Ordering a wedding cake is an important part of wedding planning. There are several bakeries that offer wedding cakes, including The Cakewalk Shop, Publix Super Markets, Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery, and Papa Haydn. These bakeries offer a variety of flavors, sizes, and designs to choose from, such as classic wedding cakes, petite cakes for intimate weddings, and custom designs. Some bakeries also provide consultations, cake tastings, and delivery services. It is recommended to place orders at least four weeks in advance to ensure availability and allow for customization.

Cake size and flavour options

Cake size options typically depend on the number of guests at your wedding. Most bakeries offer a range of single, two, and three-tier cakes in various sizes. For instance, The Cakewalk Shop offers the following sizes:

• Small single tier (serves 12)
• Extra tall single tier (serves 18)
• Medium single tier (serves 24)
• Small two-tier (serves 28)
• Medium two-tier (serves 36)
• Large two-tier (serves 50)
• Small three-tier (serves 42)
• Medium three-tier (serves 60)
• Large three-tier (serves 74)

When it comes to flavours, the options are endless. You can choose from a variety of cake bases, fillings, and icings. For example, Publix Super Markets offer the following options:

• Cake flavours: carrot with nuts, chocolate, marble, red velvet, superfetti, vanilla, or a vanilla-chocolate combo.
• Icing: buttercream, chocolate buttercream, chocolate fudge, rolled fondant, or wedding cream cheese (a blend of buttercream and cream cheese).
• Fruit fillings: cherry, fresh strawberry, guava, lemon, lemon-raspberry, pineapple, or raspberry.
• Decadent fillings: cannoli, cookies and cream mousse, dulce de leche, hazelnut cream cheese, hummingbird, or mascarpone cream cheese.
• Custard fillings: chocolate, fresh banana, fresh raspberry, fresh strawberry, or vanilla.

Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery offers unique flavour options such as:

• Almond Raspberry Cake
• Champagne Strawberry Cake
• Chocolate Espresso Cake
• Lemon Blueberry Cake
• Peanut Butter Cup Cake
• Vanilla Blackberry Cake
• White Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Papa Haydn also offers sample cake boxes so you can try their most popular flavours before committing.

Customisation options

Customisation is a key part of ordering a wedding cake. Many bakeries offer a wide range of options to ensure your cake is unique and tailored to your preferences.

Firstly, you can choose the flavour of your cake. This can be a traditional choice, such as vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet, or something more unusual, like almond raspberry, white chocolate peppermint, or lemon blueberry. You can also opt for a naked cake, which has no icing, or a cake with a gluten-free option.

The icing is another important choice. You can select from a variety of icings, including buttercream, chocolate buttercream, chocolate fudge, rolled fondant, or a blend of buttercream and cream cheese. You can also ask the bakery to colour-match the icing to your wedding colours.

Decorative add-ons are also available, such as fresh flowers, which the bakery can source and apply, or you can bring your own. Other decorations include edible foil, fresh fruit, ribbons, and cake toppers.

The size and shape of the cake can also be customised. You can choose from a range of single or multi-tiered cakes, with the number of tiers and the size of each tier tailored to the number of guests you need to serve. You can also select a different shape, such as a heart or a round cake.

Finally, many bakeries offer complimentary cake tastings and consultations, where you can discuss your vision and any specific customisation requests with the cake designer. This ensures that your cake is not only delicious but also visually stunning and tailored to your special day.

Delivery and pick-up

The logistics of getting your cake from the bakery to your wedding venue is an important consideration. Many bakeries offer delivery services, often for an additional fee, which can be a convenient and stress-free option. This is especially useful if your cake is particularly large or delicate. Some bakeries may only offer delivery within a certain distance of their store, so it's worth checking if your venue falls within their delivery radius.

If you choose to pick up your cake, you'll need to ensure you have suitable transport. Cakes are often provided in double boxes with ice packs to keep them fresh during short-term transport. It's important to collect your cake within the bakery's specified collection times, which are usually during their opening hours. Some bakeries may offer extended pick-up times for eligible orders that meet a certain minimum cost.

For Sunday weddings, keep in mind that some bakeries are closed on Sundays, so you'll need to plan for either a Saturday pick-up or delivery.

When it comes to delivery and pick-up, it's always a good idea to confirm the details with your chosen bakery, as their specific policies and procedures may vary.

Cake tasting

Research Different Bakeries

Don't book a tasting with every baker in your area. It's important to research and find a baker that fits your style, budget, and location. Take time to review their portfolio, read reviews from other couples, and don't be afraid to reach out with any questions. The more information you gather before committing to a vendor, the better!

Schedule Your Appointment

When scheduling your cake tasting, allow yourself plenty of time to fully enjoy the experience. Give yourself at least 1-2 hours so you can savour every moment, try all the flavours and combinations, and ask any questions you may have.

Bring a List of Questions

Before the tasting, make a list of questions to ask the baker. Some things to consider include flavours, pricing, delivery options, and customisation. Here are some example questions:

• What type of cakes do you offer?
• How long have you been in business?
• Do you offer any organic or gluten-free options?
• Can I customise the cake with different flavours and decorations?
• What kind of ingredients do you use?
• Do you provide delivery services?
• Are there any additional fees for custom orders?
• How many servings does a standard cake include?
• What is your ordering process?

Taste a Variety of Flavours

Keep an open mind and be adventurous during the tasting. Try both classic and unique flavours to discover new combinations you may love. You can even combine a classic cake flavour with a fun filling.

Prepare to Take Notes

Bring a notepad and pencil to take notes on the different cakes you try. Write down the flavours, textures, and your overall impression. This will help you compare options when making your final decision. Take photos of the cakes you love so you can refer back to them later.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated during the tasting is important for two reasons. Firstly, it helps to clear your palate, giving you a better chance of accurately judging the flavours. Secondly, it keeps you alert and focused so you can choose the best cake for your special day.

Enjoy your cake tasting! It should be a fun and exciting part of wedding planning. While it's important to be prepared, don't get too caught up in the details and remember to savour the experience.

Cost

The cost of a wedding cake can vary depending on several factors, and it's essential to understand these elements to estimate the expense. Wedding cakes are generally priced by the slice, with the average cost ranging from $2.50 to $8 per slice. However, with more intricate designs and specialty ingredients, the price can climb to $12 or more per slice. Here is a detailed breakdown of the factors influencing the cost:

Number of Guests and Cake Size

The number of guests you plan to serve directly impacts the size and cost of the cake. A larger guest list will require a bigger cake, increasing the amount of ingredients and labour needed, which reflects in the final price. An average 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people, while the average number of wedding guests in 2023 was 115. Thus, a multi-tiered cake is often necessary for larger weddings.

Labour and Cake Designer Skills

When budgeting for a wedding cake, remember that you're paying for both a product and a service. The cost includes the cake designer's time, talents, and labour, as well as cake storage and delivery fees. The complexity of the cake design and the level of customisation also influence the price. Sugar flowers, for instance, require niche skills, specialised tools, and a significant amount of time, making them an expensive addition.

Ingredients and Flavours

The type and quality of ingredients used can significantly affect the cost of a wedding cake. Certain ingredients may be more expensive but can elevate the flavour and overall quality of the cake. Additionally, if you request unique flavours or fillings, such as homemade fruit compote or liquor-infused sponge, the price may increase due to the time and ingredients involved.

Frosting and Decorations

The type of frosting and decorations you choose can also impact the cost. Fondant frosting is typically more expensive than buttercream. Intricate details like handmade sugar flowers, edible gold leaf, custom chocolate sculptures, and other embellishments will add to the final cost. The more specialty or labour-intensive the decorations are, the higher the price will be.

Location and Delivery

The location of your wedding in relation to the bakery can influence the cost. If the baker needs to travel a long distance to deliver the cake, especially if they need to assemble it on-site, you may incur a higher delivery fee. Additionally, the cost of wedding cakes can vary depending on your region, with prices generally being higher in bigger cities.

Additional Costs

When budgeting for a wedding cake, don't forget to include additional costs such as cake cutting sets, cake toppers, and wedding cake stands. These small but important details can add to the overall expense. If you don't want to purchase these items, ask your venue, cake baker, or catering company about rental options.

Frequently asked questions