Written by Cake Professional Corina Ludwig – owner of Passion for Cakes
Congrats! You’re getting married. You’ve picked your date and now the real fun starts. Colors, themes, dresses, photographer, venue…and cake! For many, choosing your cake means the best thing ever – cake tasting. The cake is the one wedding choice everyone is willing to help you with until the nitty-gritty decisions start. The number of layers, naked or iced, fondant or buttercream. It can quickly go from fun to stressful. That’s where the cake professionals come in to help you along. They can help you figure out what kind of cake will be the best fit for your day and take all your cake worries off your plate. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day is your cake so here are some helpful hints to choosing your professional cake vendor.
Book in Advance
The respected and talented cake vendors are usually booked up to a year in advance, especially during wedding season (May-September). If it is a single baker find out if your cake will be frozen prior to delivery or if it will be fresh. Great question to ask your vendor: How many other cakes will you schedule for that day? You will want to ensure that the number is as low as possible.
Know Your Budget
Have your budget in mind before your email or call. Sharing your budget upfront will be most helpful in narrowing your choices. There are a range of cake vendors to suit almost any budget. You can spend hundreds or thousands with most typical wedding cakes being in the range of $250-$1500. Great question to ask: What recommendations do you have to maximize our budget?
Vendor Style
Choose a cake professional that specializes in the style of cake you’re looking for and that can create your vision. Share some pictures with your potential cake vendor (Pinterest is your friend!) and ask them to show you cakes that they have done that may be similar. Show them your invite, colors, theme and décor choices and ask for their ideas. Great Question to ask: What can they do to make your cake unique to you and your fiancé?
Design Quality
Now that you have a style in mind, consider the design quality. Will the cake vendor be able to deliver on the details? For example, if your cake will be displayed outdoors you will likely want fondant icing for food safety. If you are requesting flowers on your cake (a cost effective design idea) ensure that your vendor is using food safe flowers and that they are properly attached so they do not wilt. Great question to ask: Do you have previous wedding cake photos for me to see?
Size Does Matter!
Your cake professional can help you with sizing once you know approximately how many guests will be eating cake. A lot of venues/caterers serve dessert as part of the wedding meal – so less cake will be required. There is always the traditional three tiered wedding cake but consider everything from a cake and candy dessert buffet to cupcakes, pies, groom’s cake, individual cakes and sweets or any combination. If you are having a smaller wedding but like the look of a large cake ask for some of the tiers to be faux. Great question to ask: What do they recommend for a group this size?
Cake Tastings
You’ll want to choose a cake that not only looks great but tastes amazing so take the time to sample for flavour options. This will also give you the opportunity to meet your baker and talk about your wedding cake. If you are having a larger, diverse group of guests be sure that you choose a cake vendor that can deal with gluten, dairy or peanut free allergies. Great question to ask: Where do they source their ingredients?
It’s All in the Delivery
The number one reason wedding cakes fail is because there is damage during transport. Don’t take on the responsibility yourself to save money – it’s not worth it! You want to choose a cake vendor that includes cake delivery as part of their services. The right cake professional will ensure that the cake is properly boxed, safe and set up on time for your wedding day. Be sure to provide your cake vendor with details on where the cake is to be set up and how long it will be sitting out before served. Great question to ask: How will the wedding cake be delivered?
The Fine Print
Your cake vendor should provide you with a quote and cake contract outlining exactly what is included, how refunds and cancellations work and their guarantee. Does their quote include florals, cake toppers, delivery, cake platter and serving utensils, flavors and fillings of your choice, take home boxes for leftovers, top tier packaged for the first anniversary, etc.? Great question to ask: What’s not included?
Look for the Trust
Be sure to work with vendors that are credible and reliable. Ask your venue, wedding planner or other wedding professionals who they recommend as a cake vendor. Here are a list of Vancouver Island cake vendors to help you get started (in alpha order!).
artsbakery.ca | cakebread.ca | cakesetc.ca | coastalcake.com | customcakesvictoria.com | lighthousecakecompany.ca | oohlalacupcakes.ca | passionforcakes.com | patisseriedaniel.com | ruthanddean.com | schurtoplease.com | tiersofjoycakes.ca | tofinocakestudio.com | toquecatering.com |
