1. Word of Mouth
Ask friends, family and co-workers for leads on cake makers. Good referrals from happy customers will lead you in the right direction, and negative responses will help you steer clear of unreliable providers.
2. Lay Down the Law
Once you’ve found a handful of qualified bakers, ask them if they have a website or portfolio of work you could see. Be sure to tell them how much you are willing to spend before getting your heart set on something you can’t afford.
3. Get the 411
Ask how many events they cater in a weekend, how much lead time they need, and if they require a deposit to be put down or charge for consultation.
4. Go with the Flow
Consider the rest of your wedding. How formal or casual it is, whether you plan to incorporate a certain theme, colour scheme or flower preference may influence your choice of cake.
5. Saving Cake
Figure out the number of guests attending so the baker can determine how big a cake and how many tiers you will need. Let the baker know if you want to keep the top layer for freezing and eating on your first anniversary or your first baby’s christening. If you’re on a budget and a grand cake is too costly, ask if he or she can make a small ornate cake for display and a larger sheet cake that could be cut for dessert. Or inquire about the possibility of adding fake bottom tiers.
6. Top it Off
Probe your cake designer for suggestions on toppers. They range from comical or elegant keepsake figurines to edible creations made by the baker. The latter might consist of hand-sculpted flowers, chocolate ribbons, marzipan fruits or personalized symbols of the couple.
7. Watch the Weather
Keep the time of year and the temperature of your reception venue in mind. If it will be held in a tent on a hot summer day, don’t choose a cake with mousse filling, buttercream icing, spun-sugar decorations or whipped-cream topping—you may end up having to serve the cake with a ladle!
8. Delivery Fee
Ensure that your designer will deliver the cake to your venue, especially if it’s an elaborate masterpiece, and ask if there is a charge for this service.
9. Eat It, Too
Lastly, taste the cake before you commit (this shouldn’t be too difficult). A wedding cake should always taste as good as it looks.
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Posted by Amy on March 14, 2011 at 4:07 p.m.
Don't forget to consider a faux cake rental from a decorator who rents them out on a reular basis. They can be a real cost saver especially if your dessert is included in your package price. No one knew that my cake was faux (fake) and it was beautiful.
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