Important considerations for your cake quest.
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Wedding Guide 2007
Stacked squares, cascading flowers, marzipan roping, fruit-filled layers…. A wedding cake’s beauty is in its details. Today, wedding cakes are as much an art form as they are a sweet reception send-off. To ensure your cake is as gorgeous as it is delicious, review this primer before meeting with potential bakers.
Timing
Start visiting bakers at least three months before your wedding. Most bakers work only by appointment, and the best are often booked months in advance. The appointment will include time to look through photo albums of cake designs and styles—and taste the all-important samples. You’ll discuss details such as the number of guests, the size of your reception site, and the time of day and year your wedding will be held. Bring along photos of cakes that you love. All this information will help your baker make smart recommendations.
Shape
The most popular shape of wedding cakes is the classic three- to five-tiered style, without pillars. Tiers make a cake look impressive and also make cutting easier. Round cakes trump square cakes in popularity, but don’t overlook special shapes, such as dramatic octagons.
Decorations
Fresh flowers look gorgeous atop a cake, between tiers, and on the cake-serving table. Some bakers add flowers to complete their design—others prefer that your florist perform that task. Be sure to ask who’s responsible. Creative cake tops are also in vogue. Special items that are meaningful to the two of you—unique sculptures, family-heirloom cake tops, or jeweled monograms—are popular. The weight of the decorations is an important factor in deciding on a cake topper.
Size
Bakers will suggest cake sizes based on the guest list, the desired serving size, and amount of leftover cake wanted.
Delivery
Delivery and setup of the wedding cake on your wedding day is included in the basic price by many bakers. Some charge extra for setup or for delivery outside city limits or on a per-mile basis. It’s best to have the baker make this important delivery since he or she has experience and a vehicle equipped for safely transporting the cake.
| Hubby’s Hobbies
Consider making the groom’s cake a reflection of his profession or favorite pastime. For example, a chocolate, football-shaped cake for a former high school all-star (or armchair quarterback). Taking the Cake
Want to save some cake for your first anniversary? Be sure to remove any adornments from the top tier. Place the unwrapped tier in the freezer for several hours to let decorations set, then wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap and tin foil, seal it in an airtight container, and return it to the freezer. |
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