CAKES + CONFECTIONS

HAVE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT TOO!

Before you book your cake, you’ll want to do your research and make sure you have an idea of what you have your heart set on. Do you want a large three-tier cake or multiple cakes? Do you love the look of fondant or is butter cream frosting your must have? Of course, if you’re completely unsure of what you’d like in a wedding cake, a great baker will certainly guide you through your options. It also helps to come prepared with inspirational images to visually explain exactly what you have in mind. Cakes are an art form and not all bakers have the same skills, or level of experience. But, we are confident that if you choose a Bliss Wedding Pro, you’ll be in great hands!

Slice of Advice: In some cases there maybe cake left over, don't let it go to waste! For those left overs, or for guests not wanting cake at that exact moment, have some cute to-go boxes made with your new last name and wedding date and have left overs boxed up for guests to grab as they leave. Add a to-go fork in the box - it makes it easy for those late night munchies!

Finalize The Guest List: When deciding what size cake to order, first look to your guest count. Generally, three tiers will serve 60-75 guests; you’ll likely need five layers for 200 guests or more. If the reception is in a grand room with high ceilings, consider increasing the cake’s stature with columns between the tiers. You can even add florals in between for a more dramatic look!

Budget: There’s no use in being shy about the amount you’d like to spend on a wedding cake, so plan to discuss pricing either in the initial email or during an in-person meeting. If there’s a particular cake vendor you’d love to work with but think they may be out of your budget, don’t count them out just yet. In fact, there are plenty of ways to save money on a wedding cake, and some vendors are happy to incorporate creative cost-saving techniques. Again, this is where it’s helpful to first determine your style so wedding cake vendors can give you an accurate quote rather than ballpark pricing.

Research: In the age of social media, many wedding cake vendors have an Instagram or Facebook page to easily access photos of their past and current work. In addition, they may have a more extensive portfolio on their website or even a hard copy for you to flip through in their studio. As you review samples of their previous work, ask key questions about their experience, their licensing as a professional baker, and wedding day logistics of delivery and set-up. Be sure to search online for reviews and ask your other vendors if they would refer them. As much as reviews can be helpful, don’t take one bad review as your final decision maker. The term “bridezilla” is a real thing and some reviews may simply be that. If you see many reviews that are positive, that should be your final decision maker.

Schedule a Tasting: You’ve asked all the right questions, and now it’s time to kick back and let your taste buds do the work! Most wedding cake vendors will provide you with a range of flavor options to sample so you can truly experience their work for yourself. Keep in mind that this in-person meeting is about more than just tasting, but also provides you with an opportunity to see if your personalities mesh well together. Pay attention to their communication style and ability to hear out your ideas, ensuring the collaboration process is a smooth one.

Be Prepared: Before you schedule a meeting with a bakery, it will be helpful to be prepared. Have ideas in mind of how many tiers and the shape of your cake you are wanting. Consider flavors and know which ones are not options, taking allergies into consideration. Maybe you just really dislike like red velvet but your husband loves it? Don't get into a flavor war in the middle of your meeting. What type of frosting do you want? If you are wanting something smooth and artistic, you'll want rolled fondant. As pretty as it is, some prefer the taste of buttercream. You might want to try both to see what you prefer! Although buttercream tastes lovely, the look will not be the same, nor are some designs able to be achieved as with rolled fondant. Will you want flowers, ribbon, handpaintings, fondant flowers or geodes? These are things you will want to mention and show examples of in your meeting. Lastly, consider renting or buying a cake stand or dessert trays to add elegance and uniqueness to your display. Some bakeries rent displays, either way you will need to make sure the cake stand is big enough to fit the size of your cake. This are details you will want to discuss with your baker.