What’s a wedding without cake? Whether you want a classic tiered confection covered in fresh flowers or an array of unique mini desserts, we’ve prepared a list of 11 questions to ask your pastry chef in advance of making your final decision!
How soon do we need to finalise our cake order?
Given that your baker may take on multiple bookings, it’s important to know how soon you need to confirm. Once you’ve found your vendor, book a tasting and put down a deposit to reserve your date.
Do you have a wedding cake tasting package?
A cake tasting is a must, but bakeries handle the prewedding task differently. Some bakeries may have in-person tastings while others prepare a package for you to taste at home. Some may include the tasting fee in the overall cost, while others charge a separate fee.
How are your wedding cakes priced?
It’s common for wedding cakes to be priced by the slice. And the price will increase depending on the complexity of flavours and fillings you’re after (and how detailed the design is). This goes for custom-designed cakes as well.
What is a cake-cutting fee?
Some venues charge a cake-cutting fee for serving a cake that’s brought in from an outside bakery. While you need to confer with your venue on the particulars, the cake baker can provide information on what’s typical to expect.
Can I see your portfolio of past work?
Take some time to peruse photos of past confections the cake baker has created. If certain examples pique your interest, ask them about how they worked with that couple to create their cake.
What are my filling choices?
Whether you’re looking for a fruity filling, like strawberry or orange, or a heavier one, like mocha or chocolate, the type of ingredients used will make all the difference in taste.
What is your delivery process?
It’s ideal to have the wedding cake delivered to the reception. Some bakers will charge a delivery fee, so ask about it from the start and factor it into your cake budget. It’s also worth asking if they’ve delivered to your venue before.
How far in advance will my wedding cake be prepared?
Many bakers have multiple clients, so don’t be surprised if the baker makes your cake three-to-four days prior to your wedding day. The closer to your wedding date, the better, but a few days in advance may be necessary if you want a complicated design that takes more than a day to execute.
How much cake should we order for our wedding?
It’s important to have a discussion with your wedding cake baker about how much cake to order for a wedding. If you’re having other desserts, they can advise on how many of each to order for the wedding.
How long does a wedding cake last, and should we freeze wedding cake leftovers?
Some couples like to follow the tradition of freezing the top tier of the cake to have on their anniversary. Your cake baker will be able to tell you how to freeze your wedding cake. Some bakeries will offer a service where you can purchase an anniversary tier that will be made fresh when your first anniversary rolls around.
Do you have any advice for setting up our wedding cake table?
Talk to your cake baker about how the wedding cake will fit into the overall look and feel of your reception. They may have advice on what linen to select for the cake table and other decorations that would complement the vignette nicely.
