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Mmmmm, cake!
Friday, October 6, 2006

Mmmmm, cake!

This is the part of wedding planning that I find to be most fun. I love going for cake tastings! Maybe it’s because I just LOVE cake, especially getting to eat different flavors of it. I also think it’s one of the wedding planning tasks where you can be creative and can still make it moderately inexpensive.

A good place to start is to analyze the number of guests you will be having, stay in your budget, know your style and design, and decide on whether the cake will be your main dessert or part of a “sweets” table. Remember, you should only be spending 2-3% of your budget on this delicious part of the wedding planning. Here are a couple of ways to reduce the cost of your cake:

Reduce your headcount number by 10-20% (Don’t worry you’ll have plenty of cake for everyone). My suggestion is to give a smaller head count than what your guest list includes. If you’re having a 150 person wedding, order a cake for 125 people.

Order a kitchen cake or sheet cake. I usually suggest to brides to have a smaller decorative cake and then have the kitchen cake in the back. For example, if you want a 4 tiered cake decorated with red roses in between each layer, go for it! Just make it for 100 people rather than 150. Get a sheet cake for the other 50 of the same flavor and same frosting. It will save you money and no one will know!

Try a satellite cake. Satellite cakes are created when an upper layer of separate cakes is tiered on top of a lower layer of separate cakes. It's a great solution to an otherwise pricey problem.

Some of the new trends in wedding cakes will allow you to have a cake that not only looks good - it tastes good too! You no longer need to stick to the traditional vanilla cake. There are so many flavors to choose from such as caramel and lemon. You can also have a multi-flavored cake. If you’re having a tiered cake, then have each layer be a different flavor. Your guests will love it! Give your cake some more flavor by adding a filling. Whether it is a fruit preserve or chocolate filling it will make your cake flavorful and unique. Another trend is to give it a personal touch by embellishing your cake with the same details that are on your dress. Ask your baker if it’s possible to do this. For example, if your dress has a beaded pattern on it, take a photo and bring it to your baker and have the same detailed pattern on your cake.

There are so many other ways to make your cake unique to you and your groom. If you have any more questions or want more ideas e-mail me at asktheplanner@southcoastweddingbells.com.

Finally, here are some questions to ask your baker when in the cake tasting process and try as many flavors and cakes as possible!

Will the baker and/or designer do custom designed cakes? If so, be sure to have photos and your ideas ready. If not, be sure to look through their photo album and try to find something you really like.
How many wedding cakes does the bakery do per weekend? You don’t want a bakery that is on overload. This is where problems and set backs can happen.
What different fillings do they offer? If fruit filings are an option ask if it’s preserve or fresh fruit. Remember the better the ingredients the better the cake will taste.
Is there a delivery charge? You want to be sure you stick within your budget.
Are cake prices by the slice? Are different flavors or fillings extra costs? Also important to know when sticking to your budget.
Is there a baker and a designer or does one person do they entire cake? Some bakeries have a team of bakers and a separate team of designers. Others have just one person to do both.
Is the top-tier included in the cake price? Some bakers will actually charge you extra for your anniversary top tier. My favorite bakers are the ones that don’t.
How many years have they been in the wedding cake business? You don’t want a beginner unless you’re paying the beginner rate!

Here are some photos of popular cakes.
(These cakes and many more can be seen at www.theknot.com)

Enjoy!
Leslie

Please send me your questions and feedback to asktheplanner@southcoastweddingbells.com

Enter your overall budgeted amount for your wedding and we'll let you know how it all breaks up among the things you'll need. You can then base your expenditures on that. Click here to begin...

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