The Biggest Wedding Cake
Dos and Don'ts
Whether a wedding cake is the least of your worries or high on the “must-obsess-over” list, our guide to getting the perfect cake has got you covered. From budgeting to picking out your flavors, we’re going to answer all of your questions—before you even have any.
- Don’t choose a cake until you’ve made your major wedding style decisions.
You’ll want a cake that’s compatible with the look of your venue, the season, your wedding gown, the flower arrangements and the menu. Arrive at your cake consultation prepared—you don’t need to have a complete sketch in hand, but knowledge of basic terms will make it easier on everyone. And if you’re looking for a custom design, bring along inspiration, like a swatch of lace from your dress or a picture of your wedding china.
- Do have a budget in mind.
Wedding cake is usually priced by the slice. The cost can vary, but it generally ranges from $3 to $30 a slice (and beyond). It’s easy to be wooed by blood orange filling and a multi-flavor cake when you’re making decisions with a sugar buzz, but having a handle on your budget—and knowing what will affect it—will allow you to prioritize your choices. For instance, more flavors equals more money; the more complicated the flavor, the bigger the price tag; handmade sugar flowers will add dollars to every slice; and fondant icing is generally more expensive than buttercream.
- Do match the cake height to your space.
Generally, three tiers will serve 50 to 100, and you’ll likely need five layers for 200 or more guests. Your cake should fit the space too—if your reception is in a grand ballroom, consider increasing the cake’s stature with columns between the tiers, or opting for a faux Styrofoam layer (no one will know!) to add height.
- Don’t choose the flavor based on what everyone else wants.
Besides being a showpiece, your cake should taste amazing too. When you meet with prospective bakers, taste lots of flavors. Don’t be afraid to stray from vanilla and chocolate. And don’t forget to sample fillings too—many bakers are working with complex flavorings, like guava and mango or hazelnut and mocha.
- Do get the facts on frosting.
Buttercream or fondant? Buttercream is often much more delicious. But if you love the smooth, almost surreal-like look of fondant, consider frosting the cake in buttercream first and then adding a layer of fondant over the entire confection. Whatever type of icing you choose, stick to colors your guests will want to eat. If your wedding hues are blue and green, opt for a white cake with subtle green-frosted accents.
- Don’t forget to consider the weather.
If you’re having an outdoor wedding in a hot climate, stay away from whipped cream, meringue and buttercream (they melt). Ask your baker about summer icing options or opt for a fondant-covered cake, which holds up much better against the heat.
- Do budget for extra details.
When it comes to decoration, adornment costs run the gamut. The most inexpensive option is fresh fruits or flowers that, in some instances, can be applied by your florist for a minimal fee. On the high end are delicate gum-paste or sugar-paste flowers, which are constructed by hand, one petal at a time. But here’s the bottom line: All add-ons—including marzipan fruits, chocolate-molded flowers and lace points—will raise the rate. (For the record, we think it’s worth the cost.)
- Don’t forget to top it off.
There are many beautiful and unique ways to top your cake. If you have an heirloom piece—especially a fine porcelain antique—work with your baker to integrate it into the cake’s design. It can double as your “something old.” Other alternatives include a bouquet of sugar flowers, a cascade of icing ribbons or even a sugar block carved to reveal your new monogram. Look to your locale as well. A cluster of coral can look stunning for a beachside celebration, or try a fondant snowflake for a winter wedding. Or don’t use one at all—some designs look great without a topper.
- Do have a detailed delivery plan.
Cake delivery takes coordination (and usually a refrigerated van), so give yourself peace of mind and opt to have your cake delivered. Complex cakes may not necessarily arrive in final form, so allow time and space for assembly. And make sure that once the masterpiece is delivered, it has a place at the venue (especially if it requires refrigeration). Bottom line: Discuss all the delivery details with your baker before signing the contract.
- Do give your cake the spotlight.
Your cake will likely be on display before it’s cut and consumed. You should have a designated, well-lit table that allows the best presentation possible. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design may call for a rectangular table. Drape the table with sumptuous fabrics and decorate it with motifs, colors and flowers to match the cake and your wedding style.
- Don’t forget to eat your cake (seriously!).
Couples often don’t get a chance to eat their own wedding cake (besides the bite you feed each other). Ask your caterer to save some extra for you. Share it with your new spouse post-wedding for a late-night snack or as post-wedding brunch dessert.
- Don’t let freezer burn happen.
Even if you take the most painstaking packaging measures, eating the top tier of your cake on your first anniversary sounds far better than it tastes. Think about indulging on your two-week or one-month anniversary, and treat yourself to a fresh cake in the same flavor when you’ve hit the one-year mark. If you must adhere to tradition, tightly wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight baggie.
This post is priceless. Where can I find out more?
Hey there! I understand this is somewhat off-topic but I
had to ask. Does running a well-established blog like yours take a massive amount work?
I’m brand new to blogging but I do write in my journal daily.
I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
Thankyou!
Feel free to surf to my site; replica dunks
Wow, this post is pleasant, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things,
so I am going to let know her.
Also visit my web site; life heater website
Having read this I believed it was rather informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together.
I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting
comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Review my page :: replica yeezy
Hello somethingblueevents.ca owner, You always provide great examples and real-world applications.
Quality articles or reviews is the secret to invite the visitors to
visit the website, that’s what this web page is providing.
Dear somethingblueevents.ca webmaster, Your posts are always well-written and engaging.
What’s up mates, its fantastic post on the topic of tutoringand entirely
defined, keep it up all the time.
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web site who has shared this
fantastic post at at this time.
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity to your post
is just excellent and i can suppose you are an expert on this subject.
Fine together with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with drawing close post.
Thank you one million and please carry on the gratifying work.
Hi, of course this post is truly nice and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging.
thanks.
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share views.
Great site, keep it up!
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been running a
blog for? you made blogging look easy. The full look of your website is excellent,
as well as the content material!
Review my homepage … 비아그라 구매 가능한 비아마켓! 클릭 클릭
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has
a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it
up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being ripped off?
I’d really appreciate it.
I think the admin of this web site is in fact working hard in support of
his site, because here every information is quality based information.
I think that what you said made a ton of sense.
However, think about this, suppose you added a little content?
I ain’t saying your information isn’t solid., but suppose
you added something to possibly grab a person’s attention? I mean The Biggest Wedding Cake Dos and Don'ts – Something Blue –
Weddings and Events is a little vanilla. You should look at Yahoo’s front page and watch
how they create article headlines to grab viewers to click.
You might add a related video or a picture or two to grab readers interested about what you’ve
got to say. Just my opinion, it would bring your posts a little bit more interesting.
We stumbled over here by a different page and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.
I’m not sure why but this website is loading very slow for
me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Ahaa, its pleasant conversation on the topic of this post at
this place at this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
my web site; singapore entrepreneur
Thanks for any other informative website. Where
else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal
way? I’ve a venture that I am just now working on, and I have been on the
glance out for such info.
As the admin of this site is working, no question very rapidly it will be famous,
due to its feature contents.
excellent issues altogether, you just received a emblem new reader.
What would you suggest about your publish that you made some days in the past?
Any positive?
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to
be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while
people think about worries that they just do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without
having side-effects , people could take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this outstanding blog!
I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this website
with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly
digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my
own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re working with?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with
my latest website and I’d like to find something more safe.
Do you have any solutions?
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my
weblog so i came to go back the want?.I’m trying to find things to enhance my website!I assume its good enough to use some
of your ideas!!
If you desire to increase your familiarity simply keep visiting this web site and be updated with
the most recent news update posted here.
Heya outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this take a large amount of work?
I have absolutely no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any suggestions
or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject but I
just wanted to ask. Kudos!
Hi, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one
is sharing information, that’s truly fine,
keep up writing.
I every time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as
I am a user of web thus from now I am using net for articles, thanks
to web.
I got this web site from my friend who told me about this web site and at the moment this time I
am visiting this website and reading very informative content at this place.
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a material!
existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this website.
Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have
you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would enjoy your
work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
There’s definately a great deal to find
out about this subject. I love all of the points you’ve made.
fantastic post, very informative. I’m wondering why the other
experts of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing.
I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a
tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style
seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
At this time it sounds like WordPress is the top blogging
platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Keep on working, great job!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already
😉 Cheers!
Superb, what a blog it is! This website presents useful information to us, keep it up.
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page
layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got
to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This post posted at this
site is in fact nice.
It’s not my first time to visit this web page, i am browsing this website dailly and get
nice information from here daily.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is
added I get three emails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Many thanks!
Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person’s website link on your page at proper place
and other person will also do same in favor of you.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying
to find things to improve my website!I suppose
its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any
problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique
content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it
up all over the internet without my permission. Do
you know any solutions to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.