brides’ guide to: all things Wedding Cake
Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first! You and your beloved will cut the wedding cake together before sharing it with your closest family and friends. It’s a moment you’ll want to be as memorable as possible. Before selecting which cake will join you at your reception, look at these tips that are often overlooked.
make a budget
It might not be your first thought to budget out for a wedding cake, but nowadays, bakery goods catered to your reception can be an unexpected expense. The average cost for a wedding cake is $4.50 per slice with an additional charge for the design. Cake tastings are often only complimentary when you sign a contract with the bakery for your wedding cake. The average cost for a wedding cake tasting is $100, and the cost of delivery is typically an additional charge.
I do want to warn you about some bad advice going around about telling the bakery that the cake is for a non-wedding event or ordering your cake from Costco or Sam’s Club to save money. This is NOT, let me repeat NOT tips that you should follow when purchasing your wedding cake. Costco and Sam’s Club do not offer delivery so you will have to transport the cake yourself which is a hassle. Telling your bakery that your cake is for a non-wedding event will not allow the baker to discuss critical things that only a professional wedding pro would know. Bakeries use refrigerated trucks to deliver your wedding cake. The bakery will know the best time to deliver your wedding cake to your venue based on the type of ingredients and if you have an indoor or outdoor venue.
think of the space and delivery
It’s important to consider where exactly you will display your wedding cake. Is it the main attraction? Or will you have a cake table at the end of your buffet? Whatever the case, make sure that the cake option you select goes well with the setup of your reception. Delivery ties in with space, as you’ll want to leave room for the bakery to maneuver around your setup.
consider the weather
Alongside space and delivery, weather can play a role in your dessert selection. If you’re opting for an outdoor summer wedding, your cake must hold its own amid the evening sun. Depending on the time of year, some flavors are better suited. Eating a peppermint cake may be strange if you’re getting married in June.
select a florist
It may come as a surprise to some, but not all bakeries supply fresh flowers to top your cake off with. You’ll instead need to set aside some extra wedding flowers specially selected for your cake. Fresh flowers atop your dessert will tie in the whole theme of the wedding while making for a great visual experience. Couples, however, need to arrange with their florist for someone to come and place flowers. Bakeries will forgo this step. So make sure to discuss this with your planner and florist to achieve your desired look!
taste it
An obvious, yet, important step: taste your cake! It’s your day, so you’ll want a cake that you and your partner both enjoy. Even though it’s thoughtful to select a cake that will please most of your guests, it’s ultimately about you! You get to decide what flavors you want to indulge in. Try even the unique ones, as they may surprise you. Most bakeries offer a tasting session for folks interested in booking a wedding cake. This is a great way to get a slice of what your real cake will be like.
get creative
A cake is an easy way to bring personality to your party. Why not get a cake to tie the room together if you have a recurring color or party theme? If you’re all about sports, who’s to say that you can’t opt for a cake featuring your favorite team (or you can save your favorite sports team as a groom’s cake)? Above all, make sure that you’re selecting something that you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to make it yours!
So now you have a few things to consider before selecting your wedding cake. Keep these in mind, and you’ll have a cake reminiscent of your love and vision.
Let’s talk about your wedding day! Leave a comment below and let us know your favorite wedding cake flavor!
