Choosing a wedding cake is a whole lot of fun, but it’s also something most of us hope to only do once. That means it can be difficult to figure out where to start or how to make sure you’re getting one that fits perfectly with your expectations and adds to the wonder of the day. Not to worry, though. Our experts have gathered four tips that will not only get you started, but will help you make sure that your wedding cake is absolutely magical.
1. The Sweet Spot for Ordering Your Wedding Cake
Your cake will be a focal point of the celebration, so it’s a good idea to have it designed after you’ve made all the other major decisions, such as the dress, flowers, and venue. If you have an idea on how you’d like to incorporate the design elements, jot down some notes or take snapshots and share them with your caker. Don’t wait too long to order, though, as your caker will need time to design and order or handcraft parts of the display, plus some of the best ones book up early. The sweet spot for ordering tends to be any time after you’ve made all the major decisions up until about two months before the wedding.
2. Know Your Budget and Talk to Your Caker About It
It’s easy to get caught up in the details and all the options, but bear in mind that wedding cakes tend to start out at around €300. Everything that you enhance, whether it’s a different type of frosting, handmade sugar flowers, or a complex flavour, will add to this. That’s not to say that you can’t have the cake of your dreams. Your caker can help give you guidance about how to stay within your budget and will let you know if any tricks can be used to lower your costs, while still delivering the same experience and taste. For example, if you’ve been envisioning a towering masterpiece to be displayed in a grand ballroom, but don’t really need that much cake, your designer can incorporate faux layers or add columns to provide the royal look you seek. At the same time, the most intricate cakes have lots of pieces that are painstakingly formed by hand and there’s no getting around that if you have your heart set on it
3. Taste and Taste Some More
This is the fun bit …Don’t worry about what anyone but you and your beloved wants. Sample cakes and fillings with your sweetheart and pick whatever makes you happiest, even if it’s not traditional.Wedding fairs and shows are great for this as most suppliers bring oodles of samples with them. Be aware that you should know what it tastes like with your frosting of choice as well. Buttercream is generally less expensive and tastes better than fondant, but fondant can provide a clean and smooth look. You may find that your opinion on what tastes best will change with the type of frosting you select. keep in mind however , that unlike in America most Irish suppliers don’t supply endless wedding cake samples outside of wedding shows and fairs (you can always ask) so make sure you take a full advantage while you’re there!
4. Think About How the Scene Will Be Staged
Eyes and cameras will constantly be on your cake as well as its presentation. A few things to consider are:
Who will set up the cake? It will probably need to be transported in a refrigerated van and will arrive in pieces to be assembled on site, so have your designer manage this task whenever possible.
Where will the display be? Scope out your venue in advance and decide where the display will go. Take into account that people will be circling it, that whoever sets it up will need easy access, and you’ll probably want to have it in a well-lit area, but out of the sun.
What will the weather be like? If there’s any chance the cake will become warm, you’ll have to avoid toppings that melt easily, such as buttercream and meringue.
Will the cake require refrigeration? This one can be tricky, because then you’ll need to have a way to move a fully-assembled wedding cake from cold storage to the display area. It’s possible, but coordinating it in advance is essential.
How do you plan to decorate the display? Mapping out the layout in advance will make the planning and execution much easier.
A great caker knows all this and will guide you. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to choose someone you can communicate easily with. You don’t necessarily need to know that buttercream is a bad idea for an outdoor wedding in July. The right caker will get to know you, your goals, and how you’ve planned the event, so everything comes together beautifully.
Looking for the Perfect Wedding Cake?
We’ve got you covered there, too. In just a few short weeks, Bakers and Cakers will be launching, providing a whole new way for you to connect with your ideal local cake designer. Pop by our blog for updates and information about all the delicious treats our bakers make and be sure to bookmark us, so it’s easy to come back for the grand opening.
