Choosing Your Wedding Cake

From Draper's Catering Blog

Choosing your wedding cake is an important part of planning your wedding reception. The emotional attachment of a bride-to-be to her wedding cake is second only to that of her attachment to her wedding dress. Both have a lot in common and involve alot of deep feelings. Both can cost quite a bit, as well, so it is wise to take time to make sure you get what you want.

When interviewing your cake designer/baker, it is important that the “chemistry” is right between the two of you.  Bring photos, color swatches, information on the flowers you intend to use at your reception, possible décor options for your reception site, and/or photos of details of your wedding dress. Come prepared to share your vision of the cake you have dreamed of since you were a little girl. Trust your instincts during the interview, and make sure your designer understands what you expect.

Once you narrow down your choice of designer, check references.  Make sure the designer has a permit from the Health Department to sell food products, and that the designer doesn’t work from a home kitchen.  They should have proper liability insurance (to protect you) in the event that something goes wrong.  Commercial bakeries use only products that have been insured all the way down the line from various vendors, so you can feel comfortable with that aspect of their qualifications.  Ask about delivery policies, delivery methods and timeframes, and whether or not the cake is assembled prior to leaving the shop or on site.

Will your designer handle the floral work, if any, for the cake, or will it be left for the florist to handle? It is good to choose a designer that will see the entire project from start to finish, ensuring that the final outcome is one that will exceed your expectations. You’ll also want to make sure that the products being provided have not been frozen and that they can be customized according to flavors, shapes, fillings, etc. Your baker should be willing to accommodate special requests.

Choosing your design can be much easier than you expect, if you are guided by a professional who can determine your priorities and combine features from several different designs into one unique creation just for you.  A wide range of styles are “in” right now.  Still most popular are traditional stacked cakes iced in smooth white or ivory butter cream. Fresh flowers are very popular and can be used in a variety of ways to accent your cake.  Many brides wish to combine shapes to add interest, sometimes varying designs from tier to tier to add contrast and texture to their cake. Color is hot this year, offering endless options for today’s brides. Cakes can be wrapped in sheets of white chocolate or fondant and adorned with hand-made gum paste flowers in a variety of styles. They can be displayed on heirloom trays or pedestals or the all-popular silver cake plateaus that are available in either simple or very ornate patterns and designs.  Many brides are using glass circles or tabletops with vases, glasses, or glass bricks to create unique backdrops for their cakes.

Whatever you choose, make sure that you purchase quality – quality in design and the skill level of your baker, quality in the product and quality in the servicing needs he or she is able to provide to you, should you have questions or need further information or guidance.  Consider this when you review price quotations and know that you truly willget what you pay for.  A designer that is in tune with your wishes will be able to make this part of your special day a great success.

-Catherine Draper, Cake Designer & Owner of Draper's Catering of Memphis