Goodies - Wedding cakes

What to expect from a cake-maker/designer

Wedding cakes have seen many changes over the years. We have emerged from multi-tiered, royal-iced, delicately ornate cakes, to present-day single or multi-tiered, multi-flavoured cakes, or cupcake towers; the choice is so endless!

A cake maker should be able to offer a wealth of ideas to you. Consider the style. Do you want a unique cake designed totally for your requirements?

This should be possible! Flowers are usually the focal point, but anything seems to go these days. Designs now include feathers, personal trinkets, diamantes; all of these and more! Wild and wacky, the cake should taste as good as it looks!!!

Maybe you want to incorporate a theme, i.e. casino, 60's, 70's, anything! Let your imagination go wild!! Look in magazines and books for ideas. A cake maker should be able to help compliment your ideas. Cakes can be individual; or you may choose a small cutter-cake and many beautiful cup cakes. Cup cakes can be expensive as they are made as late as possible for freshness, and some of the decorations on them are labour intensive, although they can look stunning in all their different flavours and designs. What colours and ideas can they suggest for the season in mind, if flowers are needed for the cake.

Square cakes are easier to cut than shaped cakes. Traditionally, the wedding cake is cut into one-inch servings. If used as a pudding, you may need to be a bit more generous for a sponge to allow for this. You should let your cake-maker know how many people you are catering for. This will determine the size of the cakes and the shape you want the cakes to be. (This may mean the prices are different for a standard cake!) If you would like a cake made entirely of sponge, then display this on a purpose-built stand instead of having it stacked on top of one another, as this could collapse.

Most cake makers need at least three months notice, or more, for fruitcakes to mature and taste their best. Some of the decorations take a lot of time to create and dry. Give the cake maker plenty of notice, as they sometimes get booked up and cannot take on any more work for that particular date.

It is your special day, and apart from the happy couple, the cake is a major focal point too. At some point everyone's attention will be focused on the cake, so make sure it is given a safe, prominent position where it cannot be knocked by guests or staff!

What time of the year is it? If the venue cannot store a chocolate cake in a chilled environment in the middle of high summer, or a heat wave, then steer clear of that type of cake. Why waste money on a cake that could be less than perfect due to the weather conditions.

If you want to buy a cake and have it decorated; is this possible?

Is the cake-maker able to decorate the cake the way you wish? You shouldn't be talked into a compromise; it is your special day after all!

Can you have a mix of flavoured tiers for the price quoted?

Is all the decoration on the cake included in the price or is it extra? (Some cake makers charge for each skill used on the cake; piping and modelling sometimes costs more!)

Can they supply a cake stand and knife, or will they have to hire one from elsewhere. Could the hotel supply them?

Can the cake be delivered to the venue? When and at what time? Will this cost more for delivery? If you want to collect the cake yourselves, would it be ok?

Ask to sample the cakes, look at the portfolios, and read other customers testimonials.

Article written by Pink Approved Joanne Rose, award winning cake designer and Member of the British Sugarcraft Guild.
come see why

Contact Pink Weddings for a quote and availability on 07005 964 293