Wedding Cake Selection, Tasting, and Decor

In honor of the wedding cake diva's (Sylvia Weinstock) new book on wedding cakes, here are some tips to help you successfully select your wedding cake. Her cakes are often seen standing tall and looking delectable on Platinum Weddings and in Grace Ormonde and gracing the weddings of celebrities and every day people alike. Yours can too, and here is some advice to help!

Wedding cakes are big business and many choices abound for the bride and groom now. You can go with cupcakes, miniature cakes per guest, or the traditional wedding cake. Once you select that, you have to determine the cake design, quantity, flavors, and more.

So, here is what I suggest as you start your journey of looking for a wedding cake.

Look for inspiration for the design of your wedding cake
o magazines and books
o design on keepsakes (i.e. family member’s handkerchiefs, family quilt)
o wedding colors
o wedding gown or bridesmaid dresses
o your hobbies

Identify pastry chefs and bakeries (2-3) and make your appointments by reflecting on weddings and other social gatherings you have attended where you loved the cake; your family's favorite bakery; and if neither of those produce options do research on the bakeries in your area known for great taste. Bakeries differ by specialty (european, producing the wow factor, etc.) and cost ($2/slice and up). If you are in this area, we have several recommendations for bakeries, just ask! In attendance should be you and your fiancee and 1 other person. Usually it gets crowded if there are more than 3 persons tasting. If you need to bring more, contact the bakery and ask what they suggest. You can expect that the appointment will last about 45 minutes to an hour.

Select your flavor(s) by thinking about the type of flavors you might like to eat yourself (bottom layer) and serve to your guests (a note about this: think about your guests when you make this decision. Select what most guests will like as the cake is primarily for them and not just what you like if it is a flavor that may not sit well with too many guests). Look on your bakeries website or ask them for a list of flavors. If you want to select just based on taste, then simply wait for the appointment.

Attend the cake tasting consultation and taste cake (bring your pictures and notes) -
At the consultation you will need to determine the following:
Number of persons to prepare cake for Size (i.e. number of tiers)
Shape (i.e. round, square)
Cake topper – fresh flowers, statue, other
Flavor
Filling
Type of frosting: buttercream, fondant, whipped topping, other
Detail on cake (i.e. ribbon, sugar draping, crystals, etc.)
If you are keeping your cake top

Be prepared with the following information to complete a cake contract.
Location of delivery (address and room)
Earliest and latest time for delivery (the latest time should be an hour PRIOR to your reception)
Contact information for florist if flowers provided by florist
Contact information for wedding coordinator
Also bring a check or credit card number for a deposit (typically 50% of the balance).

You will need to find out the following from the baker:
Description of cake – should be drawn out or picture you provided is attached or referenced
Cost of cake and due dates
Delivery costs
Latest time to provide color or ribbon swatches

After the meeting, determine the décor on cake table (i.e. linen, candles, florals, etc.) after determining the type of design. Do searches on the Internet (google images is a great start) and in magazines/books.

Determine if you will use your own cake cutting utensils (either purchased or given as a gift or borrowed from friends/relatives) or the ones provided by the site.

Determine how cake will be served by discussing with caterer (i.e. served at tables, displayed)

Other things to consider...

If you love the towering cake look, but only need or can afford 1-2 tiers, discuss the option of having faux layers with your bakery. Styrofoam will be shaped to go with your wedding cake and then iced to go along with your cake. Your guests will never know as you only will cut into the bottom layer.

If you have a lot of guests, but want a smaller cake, have sheet cakes prepared to be brought out when the other cake is brought out. This is so simple and again your guests will never know the difference. Upon cutting your cake, it will be swept into the kitchen to be sliced and put on plates. Sheet cakes can have the same flavors as your main cake so there will be no difference.

Cakes are typically make in abundance. If you have 200 guests, have cake prepared for 180 persons. Not everyone will eat cake. As a wedding planner, we always have a ton of cake that has to be thrown out or somehow transported by the couple or their family members. If you are serving dessert in addition to the cake this is even more the case.

That's all. Best wishes!