It is important that you select someone who
is not only a great chef, but also very reliable. Your baker is
responsible for baking, designing, transporting & assembling
your cake. Make sure you select someone who is both experienced
and dependable.
- Get recommendations from friends, family, co-workers
- Get recommendations from your reception site coordinator,
florist, photographer or other wedding professionals
- Go to local bridal shows or fairs
- Look at pictures of his/her work
- Taste cake samples
- Look through bridal magazines and flag or cut
out pictures of cakes you like
- Let your baker know the climate for your wedding
- If planning an outdoor wedding in August, your
baker may need to adjust the icing type to one that can withstand
the heat and humidity
In the past, traditional wedding cakes were white,
yellow or chocolate tiers decorated with white butter cream frosting
in frilly, feminine design. However, today's wedding cakes come
in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors.
If you prefer something out of the ordinary, talk
to your caterer or baker about available flavors. Carrot, German
chocolate and lemon are popular flavors, or you may opt for a plain
cake with raspberry filling or vanilla custard. Most vendors will
invite you to taste test samples before you make a decision. They
can also make suggestions regarding what flavors will appeal to
the majority of your guests, or can provide options for designing
a cake with different flavored tiers.
You will also have a variety of icing types from
which to choose. While buttercream is the most common, icings like
fondant and marzipan will keep larger cakes fresh, if they are unable
to be refrigerated. Royal icing dries hard so it is good for delicate
decorations or those that need extra duration. Meringue is best
suited for romantic, swooping decorations. Be sure to ask your baker
or caterer if the icing you prefer will complement the cake flavor
you have selected.
Round cakes are still the most popular, but square
& rectangular shapes are also common. Some brides & grooms
even opt for heart-shaped cakes. Ask to see photos of the different
shapes offered. Choose a style that works well with all of the other
elements of your wedding, including color, tone & theme.
Traditionally, frosting served as the main decorative
element for the cake, and a bride & groom were placed atop.
Nowadays, brides & grooms commonly use fresh or silk flowers
to decorate both the cake and the cake table. This is quite affordable
and makes a truly dramatic impact.
With regard to the cake itself, stick to simple decorations.
Elaborate decorations will make your cake difficult to transport,
assemble and maintain until the reception. This will ensure an elegant
looking cake and should save a great deal on costs.
Costs for wedding cakes vary widely depending
on the size of the cake, the flavor & how complicated it will
be to decorate. Prices range from about $1.50 - 15.00 per slice,
but you can get a simple, but delicious cake in the $2-3 range.
Keep this in mind when you think about the number of guests you
have to feed.
Cost Cutting Tips
- Keep decorations simple and you'll save on decoration
costs
- Garnish with seasonal flowers
or fruit - this looks beautiful, yet is very inexpensive
- Order a small, elaborate cake for the cutting
ceremony and serve guests from several sheet cakes.
- Don't save the top tier. Save a piece or two and
serve the rest to guests.
- Don't order a groom's cake. Your wedding cake
will provide plenty of dessert for everyone.
- Select one flavor for the entire cake. This saves
you money and make serving guests simple.
- Start planning your cake 4-6 months before the
wedding
- Determine the style
- Determine the flavor
- Determine the size - based on the number of guests
it must serve
- Determine the shape
- Determine the type of icing & the color
- Select a caterer (see above for tips)
- Ask the caterer how long before the wedding date
the cake order must be finalized - usually at least 6-8 weeks
before the wedding
- Get a contract that states
- date & time of delivery
- whether or not the baker will assemble the
cake on-site
- total price - including extra charges for
extra cake boxes, clean up, etc.
- Save the top layer
- Don't forget to save the top layer of the
cake. Freeze it, then thaw it to enjoy a bite on your first
wedding anniversary. Make sure it is securely wrapped in plastic
wrap, then enclosed in an air-tight bag or plastic cake carrier
& immediately frozen. Do not use foil to wrap the cake,
because it won't protect against freezer burn.
- Groom's Cake
- A common southern tradition is to provide
a groom's cake either to be served at the reception, or boxed
for reception guests to take home. In the past groom's cakes
were the equivalent of a fruit cake, but today they come in
a variety of styles and flavors. Lately they have been designed
to reflect the grooms favorite hobbies or sports.
- Many brides choose to omit these cakes from
there receptions based on the additional cost they add to
the reception, and which is perfectly acceptable.
Confirm the location & shape of your cake
table with the reception site coordinator.
Make sure all necessary serving utensils are provided, or purchase
your own keepsake set. Decorate the table with appropriate linens,
flowers or other items that complement the rest of your reception
décor.
Give your baker or caterer the name and contact information
for your reception site coordinator so they can contact each other
to work out details regarding cake delivery and setup.
Careful planning enables you to share a little slice
of your happiness with guests. Choose a cake that truly captures
the spirit of the day, and bon appetit!
Selecting a caterer
- If the site you select handles catering
then all you have to worry about is menu selection. If not,
then begin your search by talking to the staff or coordinator
at your chosen location. Ask your contact if you are required
to work with a list of approved caterers. Many sites allow only
approved caterers to handle good & beverage in their facilities.
- If provided a list, ask your contact who
he or she recommends. Make sure you get at least 3-4 from which
to choose. Most site coordinators are so experienced, that they
will be able to tell you what to expect regarding pricing, taste,
etc., from any vendor they recommend.
- Ask friends co-workers, reception site
coordinators for the names of a few good caterers.
- Start your search early. Good caterers
book up several months in advance.
- Be prepared to leave a deposit to book
your date and time.
- Ask what the refund policy is for that
deposit.
- Find out what portions of the reception
the cater will handle.
- Will the caterer provide linens, glasses,
plates & silverware, or will the reception site?
- Will the caterer provide tables, chairs
& serving pieces, or will the reception site?
- Will the caterer coordinate liquor, beverages
and servers?
- Will the caterer coordinate both setup
& cleanup?
- Ask the caterer for pictures of his or
her work and set up a time to sample foods.
- Estimate the number of guests to make
determinations about food and provide a final head count based
on the caterers instructions.
- Be sure there are enough servers, bars,
food stations, etc. to accommodate your guests.
- If you are shopping prices from multiple
locations, make it an "apples to apples" comparison.
Make sure to consider rental costs for tables, chairs, etc.,
if one location includes them in the price and another does
not supply them, but has a lower price.
Menu Selections
- Communicate the number of guests you anticipate
- Discuss the style you prefer - heavy hors
d'oeuvres, buffet, food stations, etc.
- Ask for sample menus.
- Discuss menu options and the cost per
person.
- If you have a set budget for the event,
let the caterer or coordinator know. He or she can help you
narrow down selections and can provide some cost-cutting advice.
- Make sure your menu selections fit
the season. For example, grilling is not a good option for
an outdoor wedding in August. However, chilled shrimp, fruits,
cheeses, cold cuts and fresh lemonade might be a good way
to beat the heat.
- Make sure you provide a variety of
food that is suited to your guests' tastes and dietary constraints.
- Ask to see a sample contract.
- Check liquor and beverage fees, and
work within your budget.
- Mixed drinks can be expensive, while
a reception with beer & wine can be quite affordable.
- See if your caterer will coordinate
the alcohol, punch & other beverages.
- Some sites may permit you to purchase
alcohol and then only charge you a corking or service charge.
Most liquor or alcohol dealers will deliver, provide more
alcohol than you need, and only charge you for what is consumed.
This is a great cost-saving option.
- You can set up a cash bar. This means
you'll pay for non-alcoholic beverages like sodas, coffee
and tea, and guests may purchase whatever alcoholic beverages
they please. This is a great option if you are on a limited
budget.
- Offer plenty of non-alcoholic drinks
like water, tea & punch for your guests, as well.
- Bear in mind that some states will hold
you personally liable if someone is injured or killed as a
result of drinking too much at your reception.
- Encourage your guests to drink responsibly
and ask a few friends be on the lookout for anyone who may
be unable to drive following your reception.
- For your own protection, see if the
reception site offers liability insurance.
Morning
- Follow morning weddings
- May serve food buffet style or guests may be
served
- You may serve coffee, juice, fruits, breads
and breakfast foods.
- If you wish to serve alcohol, champagne, Mimosas,
screwdrivers & Bloody Marys are all acceptable options.
Luncheon
- Follow late morning or noon weddings
- May serve food buffet style or guests may be
served
- You may serve a variety of foods including,
sandwiches, pasta, fruits, salads, etc.
Tea
- Normally held between 2-5 pm, starting no later
than 3:30
- Tea sandwiches & finger food may be served
- This type of reception is among the most
inexpensive because it calls for very light food & drink
Dinner
- Normally held between 6-9 pm, with an hour for
cocktails & hors d'oeuvres before dinner.
- Dinner options are:
- Sit-Down - guests are served at the table. Generally
this is more formal.
- Buffet - guests serve themselves.
- Guests may seat themselves or you may prefer
to assign seating and put people with similar interests together.
Food Station
- Another interesting option for your reception
is to set up several food stations throughout the reception site.
It's great fun to have a different food type at each station.
That way guests get to sample several kinds of food and you are
bound to have something that will appeal to everyone. Standard
foods you mind find at each food station include: pasta; beef
tenderloin or seafood. You can even bring other cultures into
the mix and have Mexican, Hawaiian or French foods, and decorate
the stations accordingly. It is also a good idea to set up a central
buffet table equipped with fruits, cheese, shrimp, finger sandwiches,
etc. Food stations make the meal somewhat of an adventure and
encourage mingling.
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