You have several options to choose from when buying a wedding cake. In addition to the cake's design, consider convenience and cost when choosing your baker.
Who Should Design and Bake the Cake?
Your Caterer Or Reception Hall
The most convenient option, and sometimes a required option, is to order the cake from your caterer or the restaurant or club where your reception is being held. Both will usually charge a price per head for the cake and will handle the delivery of the cake for you.
An Independent Off-Premise Baker
If your caterer or reception hall will allow it, you can also order you cake from an independent off-premise bakery. Selecting an off-premise bakery often gives you more choices in cake designs than your caterer or reception site might offer. In addition, an off-premise bakery can be less expensive than your caterer or reception hall.
A bakery may charge you a flat rate for the cake, but you will probably have to make some type of delivery arrangements. If this is the case, ask your baker for qualified delivery suggestions. You must arrange for the delivery of the cake by a professional. Do not have your mom or dad go and pick it up. Many layered and tiered cakes have to be assembled on site and their layers are transported separately. Assembling a cake could prove to be a nightmare for someone who is clueless!!!
Your Grocer's Bakery
A third option is to order your cake from your grocery store. I have seen some absolutely beautiful cakes come out of Publix! Again, you may have to arrange for the delivery of the cake, so use good judgement and ask the grocer for suggestions.
A Friend Or Family Member
And for those of you who are having a small wedding, a final option would be to have a friend or relative make the cake. If you choose this option, choose a simple stacked cake design and then have your florist arrange fresh flowers on each of the layers. Also, please ask your "home-baker" to practice several times and invite friends over for a viewing and tasting each time. You could also use the gathering to do something such as addressing or stuffing wedding invitations!
How Do You Find A Good Baker?
But how do you find a good baker if you are not using your caterer or reception facility? Word of mouth is the best answer I can give to you. Ask everyone you are working with - the reception site coordinator, the photographer, the florist, etc. They have all done hundreds of weddings and seen hundreds of cakes - they will definitely have suggestions.
Make appointments with several different bakers. The baker will need to know approximately how many people you are expecting and the colors of your wedding.
Be sure to look at real pictures of cakes they have made - don't settle for cake design books. Also, be sure to taste samples of their cakes.
Questions To Ask Potential Bakers
- Can I see photos of previous wedding cakes you have designed?
This is essential. If the baker won't show you photographs, look elsewhere.
- Can I have a taste test?
Many small bakers won't have samples on hand for you to taste. If your baker doesn't have any for you to taste at the time of your visit, ask if the baker will be hosting any "Cake Tastings" in the near future.
- Do you charge extra for anything such as special fillings or icings, delivery, set-up, etc.?
Extra charges for these items are pretty standard, but you need to know up front for the sake of your budget.
- Will you decorate the cake with fresh or silk flowers or will you work with my florist?
Unless the baker's floral decorating skills are excellent, ask your baker if your florist can handle silk or fresh flower decorations.
- How far in advance will the cake be prepared?
If the cake is being prepared well in advance and frozen, ask the baker how long it will take the cake to thaw. I have attended more than one wedding where the cake was still somewhat frozen.
Saving Tips
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Use a small independent baker - they often charge less than the larger companies. |
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Order less cake than the number of guests. Many guests never even see the cake - much less eat any of it. |
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Order a Styrofoam dummy cake for display and photographs and serve a less expensive sheet cake that is waiting in the kitchen. |
Portions of this article were reprinted with permission from BRIDAL BARGAINS by Denise & Alan Fields (Copyright 2000, Windsor Peak Press, 5th edition, $14.95). Available in bookstores nationwide or online here. For more information, please see the Fields web page at www.BridalBargainsBook.com.
