The 6 Most Important Things to Remember When Choosing a Baker
As you browse Pinterest and wedding sites looking at cake designs, start to gather inspiration. Take a close look at the cake designs that resonate the most with you. Are you in love with the idea of a rustic buttercream cake decorated with fresh flowers, or does an ornate cake covered in fondant make you sigh?
To help you decide which bakers to visit, look at their websites and social media to see what aligns the most with what you are looking for. When you meet with the bakers, bring along pictures of the designs you like, and even pictures of those you don’t. Designers are not mind readers, and this will help them get a clear understanding of the look you’re going for. Don’t expect them to copy the design outright. Allow them artistic license to incorporate your personalities and their creativity into the final product.
Ask about seeing a portfolio of their work so you can get a sense of their style and the types of cakes they’ve done before. Make sure that they can execute your design, and communicate what you would like. If you want fresh flowers, some bakers can coordinate with your florist to make it happen.
You’ll need to know how many guests you’re planning on having by the time you order your cake so you know how many you need to serve. Bakers often charge based on the cake needed per person, and the more people you have, the larger your cake will need to be.
Designing your cake is fun, but remember to consider the logistics of your cake. Communicate with your caterer about serving. Your baker may provide cake toppers or stands for you to rent, and you will need to communicate about these and the delivery of the cake to the venue. As a fun tradition, some couples freeze the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on their first anniversary. If this is something you plan to do, ask your baker if they provide boxes and make sure your caterer doesn’t slice it up!
Arguably, one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding is cake testing. When you meet with prospective bakers, taste lots of flavors and filling combinations. The most important thing about your cake is that it tastes good. If you can’t decide (or agree!) on just one flavor, know that you can include different flavor layers in your cake. You don’t want to pair things that are too wildly different but talk with the baker about your preferences. There’s no possible way you’ll please everyone at your wedding, so focus on cake flavors that make your mouth water and don’t let others’ preferences drive you insane.
