Most custom wedding cake designers fill their date books as much as 1-2 years ahead. The earlier you shop, the better. If you will be using special order items it may take a number of months to create or order them. When you order well in advance, you will more than likely be asked to put down a non-refundable deposit to guarantee your wedding date. When you make your appointment for a wedding cake consultation, it would help your decorator to have a rough estimate of the number of guests on your invitation list. Ask your bakery if they do tastings. If not, it might be a good idea to order a special occasion cake to try their product before ordering your wedding cake. When you go for your consultation it's a good idea to take a color sample with you. Also, take any pictures of styles you like. Kristi's Kakes website offers a design idea page showing various styles of cake presentations.
Most bakeries charge by the serving. There are two types of pricing. One is a charge per serving for the cake itself. I call this "Custom Pricing." Then extras are added a la carte such as cake top, flowers, stand, etc. Another method of pricing is by the serving which includes everything, or "Package Pricing." Many bakeries have both types of pricing available. If you don't want to do much customization with your cake and are on a tight budget, a package cake is your best option. If you want to design a particular cake to go with your theme, then you would benefit from a custom price plus the options that you choose. If your reception/caterer uses a particular bakery in their package, you may often choose between the package cake or a la carte your reception and choose a bakery of your liking. The advantage to taking a cake through your reception facility is that the caterer takes care of everything for you. The disadvantage if that you are limited to products and styles offered by the packaged bakery. Choosing an independent bakery allows you more choices and flexibility in style and price. When you are quoted a price for your reception when the cake is "package priced" be sure to find out the separate cost for the cake. Ask your bakery or caterer what options they offer. Many times reception facilities charge by the slice to cut your wedding cake. You should ask if this is the case for your wedding.
What types of cakes and icings are available?
There are a wide variety of both. As far as cakes are concerned, the most popular are cheesecakes, flour cakes and sponge cakes. Cheese cakes must be kept refrigerated and this is a cause for concern if left on the cake table for too long a period of time. Sponge cake is best suited for use with fresh fruit and mousse because of its dry, absorbent texture. Professional, knowledgeable bakeries know that sponge cake must be soaked with simple sugar (sugar water) to maintain any type of moisture. A flour cake offers the most variety and safety for long-standing cake presentations at receptions. Icings vary widely also. Buttercream is a standard icing used by most bakeries. Flavors and textures vary from bakery to bakery so don't be afraid to ask for a sample. Fondant is a rolled icing which leaves a very smooth surface on the cake. Decorating can be more elaborate using this medium and it comes in a variety of flavors from white chocolate, to raspberry and dark chocolate. Fondant is also more expensive. Be sure to ask your bakery about the stability of icings particularly if you are having an outdoor reception. The variables of outdoor receptions are great, ranging from uneven ground, to wind, rain, and excessive heat. Kristi's Kakes will only create custom cakes for outdoor receptions at preferred outdoor reception facilities.
What styles of cakes are available and what kinds of stands or presentations are available?
There are several styles of cake arrangements to choose from. One is the stacked cake where one tier sits directly on top of the one below. There is the pillared look with pillars between each of the tiers. Or you can choose a combination of stacked and pillared depending on how many tiers you have with your cake. There are different shaped cakes ranging from round to square, oval, hexagonal, octagonal and heart shaped. Many styles are dependent on using a particular stand. For example there are these types of stands which you could use: garden stand which is a metal scrolled stand; fountain arrangment with a fountain on the bottom and the cake positioned above it; a crystal pillar arrangement where the tiers are on individual crystal pillars; the floating tiers stand which is also a metal stand with a single white metal support on the back and the tiers look like they are floating; the cake plateau which is usually round or square, silver plated and approximately 5-7" high off the table, and a center pillar construction which looks like a stacked cake, but the tiers are actually held up by a center pillar
What kinds of flowers are available to present on a cake?
There are several options if you wish to use flowers on your wedding cake. There are fresh, silk and cold porcelain flowers. Fresh flowers are beautiful and fragrant. If you are taking care of ordering flowers for your cake, make sure your florist understands that they are being placed on a food item and need to be prepared accordingly. Some pesticides must be washed off or flowers ordered that have not been treated. Never assume that the florist can simply leave the flowers for the cake decorator to assemble. Many decorators are on a tight schedule and do not have time to arrange flowers without prior arrangements. Brides MUST ASK the decorator for this service and there may be an extra charge involved. If the florist is pre-arranging the flowers, tell the decorator. Many bakeries ask the bride what flowers are being used in the arrangements and take care of everything when "package pricing" is chosen. Kristi's Kakes uses only preferred florists to handle real flowers for their cakes. Please ask us for help in choosing a florist when you purchase your cake. Silk flowers are a beautiful alternative to real and can be saved as mementos. Be prepared to pay extra for the arranging and/or purchasing of these items. Icing, gumpaste, or cold porcelain flowers are very labor intensive, but can be designed to the bride's wishes. These beautiful creations are hand formed and air dusted so you need to be aware of the extra cost involved.
Can I chose to have a groom's cake?
I have read several versions of how the groom's cake came about. The traditional groom's cake has its roots in the South. It was usually a fruit cake which was cut into small pieces and put in boxes as favors for the guests to take home. This was so time consuming that the tradition disappeared. Today the groom's cake is typically chocolate and expresses some personal trait or hobby of the groom. With the many choices in cake flavors for the wedding cake, the chocolate groom's cake has tended to disappear. However, when chosen, some couples may have it at the rehearsal dinner while others prefer to have it displayed along with the wedding cake on the cake table.
Who cuts the wedding cake for the guests?
Most caterers or reception facilities have a chef or waite staff that is knowledgeable regarding the correct method for cutting wedding cakes. When you choose your facility be sure to ask if there is an additional charge for having the cake cut. Many brides are choosing to do cupcake tiers if the cost of cake cutting does not fit within their budget.
Does the bakery deliver the cake?
Ask your bakery if they deliver your cake and if there is an additional charge for this service. With the rising cost of fuel, most bakeries charge a fee for this service. Also most wedding cakes must be assembled at the reception facility, so if you are not skilled in the art of decorating, it is best left to your bakery. Kristi's Kakes provides your reception facility with a cutting guide and flavor list to assist them in the presentation and cutting of your cake. As a courtesy we also leave bakery boxes for you to take home extra cake, if any. More importantly, you have so much to do on your wedding day, the last thing you need is adding cake delivery to your "to do" list.
