A Delicious Decision: Dishing on Wedding Cakes
by Cathy Baldwin
A million decisions line the path to the perfect wedding what dress to buy, which photographer to choose, and, of course, what sort of wedding cake to have. Make no mistake, deciding on a wedding cake is much more complicated than picking vanilla or chocolate. But armed with the right information, you can make your visit to the pastry chef practically painless.
Traditional or Trendy? Your wedding cake is a chance to highlight your
individuality, whether romantic or whimsical. If you are big on tradition, a white-columned cake is for you. But if you're looking for something more individualized, there are plenty of new trends to try.
Cupcake towers are hot this year. With an elegant stand, cupcakes can make quite a statement. Plus, there's no messy cake-cutting to deal with. Be warned, though, cupcakes are not necessarily a cheaper
way out, as your pastry chef will have to individually ice and decorate each cupcake. Sources say you should expect to pay at least $3 per cupcake, depending on flavors, icings and fillings.
Of course, beach-themed cakes are all the rage here on the Outer Banks. From white chocolate seashells to cakes that look like sandcastles, you can reflect your love for the beach in your wedding cake.
Colored wedding cakes are also new in recent years. From deep blues and velvety reds to soft pastels, do not be afraid to make your cake a creative confection. In fact, don't be afraid to make your cake look like something other than a cake entirely! Lots of brides are opting for the stacked
presents look layers of squared cakes
decorated to look like wedding gifts.
Over-doing the cake with expensive and difficult-to-make sugared flowers is on the outs; decorating with live flowers is the new way to go. Consider garnishing with freshly cut roses or other in-season blooms. Ask your cake designer if she can use the same kind of flowers you have in your bouquet. Poisonous flowers are definitely a no-no.
Choosing a Pastry Chef There are plenty of local cake designers, pastry chefs and caterers who specialize in making the creative confections and sweet treats you crave. Use The Wedding Guide's index as a jumping-off point for finding the perfect baker for you.
Many professional pastry chefs and cake designers allow tastings so that the bride and groom can decide on just the right
flavor of cake and icing. Keep in mind that the more flavors you choose, generally the more expensive the cake. For example, a cake with three tiers that are all lemon with vanilla butter cream icing is cheaper than
a cake with the bottom tier lemon, the
second chocolate, and the third tier vanilla with a raspberry filling.
Sign on the Dotted Line Having a signed contract with your cake designer will give you peace of mind by knowing that you have reserved the date of your wedding, have all of the details in writing, and that deposit money has already exchanged hands. So what should you look for in a contract? Make sure you have every last detail written down number of people you want to feed, deposit amount, date the final amount is due, delivery costs, flowers used, cake colors, flavors and fillings, rental item fees for the cake stand or separator plates, what to do in case of inclement weather, what to do in case the wedding is postponed, and, of course, date, address and time you want the cake delivered. Both you and your baker need to sign the contract, and keep it on file with your other wedding documents.
From Point A to Point B Transportation Getting the cake from the bakery to your reception site is no easy task. Unless you feel absolutely positively sure that you can handle this very delicate matter, leave it to the professionals. Most pastry chefs offer delivery, usually for a fee, but it is well worth it to have the cake delivered and assembled without disaster.
The obvious mishap that can occur while attempting to transport the cake is the possibility that it will fall or slide. Without excellent driving skills and skid-free pads, a wedding cake could end up on the floorboards. In addition, a temperature-
controlled environment is a necessity. A hot car in the summertime will wreak havoc on delicate buttercream icing. Some pastry chefs will make a back-up cake for a fee, just in case transportation doesn't go as well as planned.
Having the cake designer set up the cake at the reception site is another bonus of delivery. Much more than simply placing layers of cake atop one another, there are often flowers, ribbons, white chocolate seashells and a cake topper that need to be added. Do yourself a favor, and leave it to the professionals!
Where to Put the Cake? It seems like a simple question, to be answered with: On the cake table, of course! But it's a
little trickier than that. With sun, wind, sand and bugs as your cake's worst enemies, some thought should go into cake placement. Under no circumstances should a cake be left outside in the heat and
direct sun for an extended period of
time. Make sure you have a good shady spot for the cake, or else you might
end up with a melted, gooey mess.
Keep in mind that besides you and your new husband, the cake is the second-most photographed item at the wedding. Make sure that whatever is behind the cake is also photograph-worthy.
As the sweet finale to your special day, the wedding cake is much more than a dessert it's the reflection of your love for one another. With the right baker to guide you through all of the delicious decisions, it will be a cake that you and your guests will remember always!
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