Wedding Cake Tasting
One of the best parts about wedding planning is the cake tasting! This is something both the bride and groom can get on board with- who doesn’t want to taste all the delicious cakes?! This is such a fun part of the planning process, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a little work on your part.
You’ll want to book your cake tasting for about six months before your wedding date. At this point, you’ll have most of the major details planned- the venue, the color scheme, your dress and the bridesmaids dresses, and the general feel of your wedding. This will give you direction when picking out the perfect cake!
At this point you should also have your wedding budget figured out. Determine what your budget is for your cake and make sure to stick to it! Research bakeries in your price range, and don’t forget to read the reviews! The next step would be to call the bakeries you find and see if they are available for your wedding day. Of those available, schedule an in person consultation with one or two of your favorites. Remember to ask if they charge a fee for the actual tasting!
Now it’s time to hit up Pinterest and find some photos of cakes that you love. Bring this inspiration to your appointments so the bakers can see the look you’re going for. There are so many options to choose from. Do you want a naked cake? Floral decorations on your cake? A layer cake or a tiered cake? These are great questions to ask yourself before heading into your cake tasting.
You should expect the tasting to last one or two hours. You could always ask the specific bakery how long they normally take just to make sure you give yourself enough time. Pro tip: have a snack before the tasting! This may seem counterintuitive, but you don’t want to be so hungry that you inhale the cake instead of actually tasting it. Slow down so that you remember which one you liked the best.
While you’re at the tasting, ask lots of questions! Here are some key questions you don’t want to forget:
- What’s the delivery process?
- Does your baker charge a delivery fee?
- What are the ingredients of the cakes? (Also remember to mention any food allergies!)
- Will the cake hold up in hot weather? (Think summer weddings!)
- How far in advance will your wedding cake be made?
- Does your baker provide the cake stand?
- Is your baker licensed by the state?
One more important (and often overlooked) detail to consider is whether or not you connected with the baker! It’s not always just about the service or product, especially when it comes to your wedding vendors. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Be sure to choose a baker that you both like and trust! Picking vendors you know you can rely on can eliminate tons of stress on your wedding day.
When all is said and done, cake tasting is one of the items on your check list that is more fun than work. Soak up this time with your fiancé and enjoy every minute of it! Oh, and please throw that wedding diet out the window for this one! A couple pieces of cake won’t kill you!
