Choosing the perfect wedding cake is an important step in the planning of any wedding. While the cake is not the most important decision it is one of the main focal points of the reception and if done incorrectly, it could potentially put a damper on the day. To ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you get exactly what you want, the tips below can help you pick out the best cake for your special day.
Choose a Style
The first step in ordering a wedding cake should be to decide on the style of cake you wish to have. There are many different styles that are used to make wedding cakes and you must choose the one that best suits your needs or desires. There are of course layered cakes. These come in tiers and are among the most common styles of cakes available. There are also single tier or sheet cakes, individual mini cakes, cupcakes and even shaped or themed cakes. Many bakeries that specialize in the creation of cakes for weddings will have books available with ideas or even pictures of cakes that have been made in the past.
Do a Taste Test
Once the style has been chosen for your cake, you will need to choose a flavor for the cake itself, filling if desired and the type and flavor of icing. Most vendors will allow you to come in and will prepare a cake tasting session for you. This allows you to sample a variety of flavors and textures at once in an effort to help you make the best decision. You should always taste the combination before making a final decision, to ensure that it is indeed what you are looking for.
Have a Realistic Budget
Wedding cakes are not cheap. If you are only going in with a budget of one or two hundred dollars, then you should not expect to receive very much in return. Budgeting at least a few thousand dollars is a safe bet when you are looking for a cake with two or three tiers from a high end bakery. Themed and specially designed cakes will of course run more. There is no need to go into debt over a cake, but if you want one that is elegant and attractive, you will need to be willing to budget a fair amount of money.
Get a Sketch
A sketch should always be done by the bakery before the final order is signed. This ensures that you and the vendor are on the same page and that they clearly understand exactly what you are looking for. Without a sketch, you are leaving things up to their interpretation of what you want and that is never a good decision when you have something as important as a wedding coming up.
Ordering a wedding cake can be a lengthy and stressful process if you do not know the right steps to take. The tips above can help any couple choose the ideal cake for their wedding that not only tastes great but looks wonderful as well.
