At this point in the wedding alphabet I’m bringing you a delicious post on wedding cakes. As a lover of all things sweet (and unfortunately bad for you) this is one area of wedding planning that I feel requires some serious deliberation.
For me one of the most disappointing experiences in life is biting into something that doesn’t taste as good as it looks. So not to sound too
Mary Berry
about it, but style and substance are 100 per cent necessary here.There’s no doubt about it, competition in the wedding cake industry is growing. I’ve spoken to designers who are not only upping their game to stay ahead of the pack, but who are also being continuously asked by wedding couples to create a cakes that are more impressive than ones they’ve seen at previous weddings.
Thankfully most couples are avoiding the monstrous gypsy-wedding-style cakes, complete with 20 tiers, bride Barbie and Ken and LED lights, and instead are looking for creative confectionery with striking déco and inventive flavours.
So to ensure you get a show stopping cake, and your guests can actually eat it, let’s take a look at the key considerations.
Image sources as credited in gallery.
budget
Let’s face it all elements of wedding planning start at this point but it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Many c0uples report being shocked at the price of wedding cakes when they start their search but as is the case with most things in life – you get what you pay for. If you want intricate detailing, complex colours and gourmet flavours you will need to cover the cake designer’s time and expert efforts. The amount of guests you will be inviting and portion size will also affect the overall cost.
start your search
Once you have your budget in mind you can search for a cake creator that will fall into your price bracket. Word of mouth recommendations are a great way to find top bakers as is the internet. Most designers will have a gallery of their work and a suggestion of prices so you can narrow down your search before meeting with your shortlist for consultations and those all important tastings.
diy
If you are thinking of making your wedding cake yourself then practise and preparation is key to avoid a kitchen dramarama. Alternatively if you are fortunate enough to have a master baker within your friend or family circles, ensure you trust them with the task and that they feel comfortable with your requirements. Some couples also go down the route of asking several guests to make and bring cakes to the wedding table. This can be a lovely way to include people in the proceedings while saving money, but just make sure enough guests take-up the invite so everyone gets a slice of the action.
theme
Now that you know who is making the cake you can start planning its design. Colour, structure and décor will each need to be considered. It’s helpful to search in magazines and online for inspiration and to talk to your designer about all the elements you have planned so far such as venue, colour scheme, dress design etc so they can be incorporated, if you so wish. Naked cakes with stunning floral décor are weakness of mine at the moment – I just love their naturally stark and simple appearance. If you desire such a cake see if your florist and cake designer can collaborate to make it a reality. Other striking options include hand-painted cakes, sculptural designs and colouful ombre creations.
flavour
Don’t forget, what’s on the inside needs to be as fabulous as the cake’s exterior. While many couples (often at the request of an older guest) still request a small traditional tier of fruit cake the options go way beyond this point. Chocolate and lemon are crowd pleasers, but for those really wanting to push the boat out, some bakers offer more luxurious flavours such as vanilla bean and raspberry, mocha or orange and cardamon.
delivery
We’ve all heard horror stories about cakes falling apart on route or resembling the Leaning Tower of Pisa when the set up goes wrong. Therefore it’s vital to prearrange when, where and by whom the cake will be delivered and to allow time for any complicated set-ups to be perfected.
display
The cake has been designed, made and delivered so now it’s time to show it off. Make sure your cake is a focal point at the reception before it’s cut up. Those having a sweetie table might like include the cake there while others may prefer to display the cake on a table with themed décor to help it stand out.
