A Delicious Centerpiece with "Layers" of Options
Click Here to E-mail
this Page to a Friend.| Your Wedding Cake A Delicious Centerpiece with "Layers" of Options Click Here to E-mail
this Page to a Friend. |
Your wedding cake will be figuratively and literally the centerpiece of
your wedding reception. Because of the important role it plays, choosing
your wedding cake should be given the time and attention it deserves.
Every one of your guests, like you, will have a favorite kind of cake. Finding a happy medium is what your (and your baker's) jobs will be about. Spice cake may be your first choice, but it's a bit unusual. A nut cake may be what you've dreamed of, but many people have allergies to nuts. It's important to weight the popularity of your selection and then to make your choice as close to a middle line as possible. In that way, you'll please most of your guests. This aspect of your wedding cake should be part of a discussion with your wedding cake designer. As labor intensive as designing your cake may be and as much time as it may requite to be constructed, if it looks good but tastes "old," the appearance will be irrelevant. Make sure that you and your baker understand that the cake needs to be made as close to the time of your wedding as possible to maintain the utmost freshness. Make certain that your baker knows about any details (e.g., air-conditioning versus none, outdoor versus indoor) that may impact on timing. There are probably as many choices in wedding cakes (shape, size, design, filling, etc.) are there is variety in wedding couples. It may seem a bit overwhelming, but a good place to start your decision-making process is to check out several bridal magazines and visit several local bakeries. There you will find an assortment of photographs that may begin to help you focus on what appeals to you in the look and design of your cake. You and your wedding cake designer can use both creativity and imagination. Let your cake reflect not only your personality but the ambiance of the surroundings and your wedding style. A formal cake may work beautifully in a large banquet hall, but look odd in a rustic location. A white wedding cake may be a knockout in a colorful environment, but require some colorful touches (flowers, icing) in a less-colorful location. When meeting with your cake designer, ask if he or she has been to the venue you have chosen for your reception. If not, take some photos of the place and bring them along to your meeting. Once upon a time wedding cakes were white, with buttercream frosting and a simple filling. Today the concept of that traditional cake has expanded, and, for those who want it, fillings can range from fruit to liquor-flavored, while buttercream or vanilla can be substituted by banana, amaretto, chocolate, carrot, walnut, angel food, lemon, pound cake, spice cake, devil's food cake, nut torte, lemon cake, hazelnut cake, or even cheesecake. Your cake may be frosted in traditional white or one of a variety of soft color frostings that will coordinate with your color scheme. Especially if you are choosing an "exotic" selection, bear in mind that different bakers use different recipes, so no two cakes (from different bakers) will taste exactly the same. The key to a good cake is that it is "moist" and "fresh." Using fresh, natural ingredients are the way to achieve the best results. There is no substitute for real whipped cream, real butter (for the buttercream frosting), and fresh fruit. So be sure to ask what ingredients will go into making your cake. Over the years, the design and decoration of wedding cakes have developed into a true art form. Your best source of ideas is a professional baker who can advise you not only as to what looks pretty, but also as to what works in terms of structure and tastes that compliment one another. Here, as always, reputation is the key word. Ask friends who have bought wedding cakes to recommend a baker. Remember to check into "storefront" bakeries as well as bakers who work out of their own homes. Just some of the things you might consider are: sugar or buttercream flower decorations, different flavors inserted into the tiers, fresh or silk flowers on or about the cake, miniature figures descending a staircase, sparkling fountains, a multi-level cake, or separate layers un-stacked. Ask your caterer, florist, and baker for more ideas. If you have decided to use flowers to enhance or decorate your cake, make certain to discuss your plans with your florist who will coordinate with your baker. Your florist will be able to advise you as to what kinds of flowers will hold their shape and color and, of course, make certain that those that are used are insecticide-free. The hardest, but most delightful part of the "wedding cake process" is actually choosing the cake. Here the best advice is taste, taste, sample, sample. The proof of the cake is, ultimately, in the eating. Even if a baker cannot have you sample an actual wedding cake, there is, no doubt, a similar cake that you can taste. Different bakeries have different ways of offering tastes and it's wise to taste before you sign a contract. If you cannot taste, do not buy. It is surprising how many brides and grooms have beautiful looking cakes, often costing a great deal of money, that are rather average, or below-average in texture and taste. Once you have decided who will be furnishing your wedding cake, it is important to discuss logistics. In this health-conscious age, you may wish to pursue options that include less eggs and lower fat content. Keep in mind that some ingredients like nuts are "controversial," because some of your guests may be allergic to them. Tell the baker how many guests you expect and wish to serve. The sizes of pieces may also be influenced by whether or not you will be serving a dessert or a Viennese table. Some reception locations and/or caterers provide the cake as part of the wedding package. When you purchase your cake through a baker, the price is based on a per person count and may range anywhere from $2.50 per piece to $8.50 and up. Pin down the price with a written description of your cake, including all the details. This makes for fewer problems later on and decreases the possibility of your being disappointed. Ask the baker when the cake will be baked (the closer to your actual date, the better), by whom and how it will be delivered. Most bakers will deliver at no cost locally, but ask to be sure. Many cakes have not "survived" an un-air-conditioned trip to a summer wedding site, so be sure to check out the mode of transportation. Check with your reception site to determine for certain that there is plenty of room to refrigerate your cake before it's to be served. It is important for your wedding cake to be stored properly between delivery and display. Have your caterer or party host inform the waiters about the cake ingredients, particularly when they contain unusual or controversial ingredients. Talk to your reception host or caterer about where you would like your cake placed so that it can be seen by your guests. Keep it away from hot lights and sunlight, so your flowers won't wilt and your frosting won't melt. Your wedding cake should complement and be complemented by the other elements of your wedding. A chocolate cake, for example, is not a great choice if your dessert is chocolate mousse or chocolate ice cream. A multi-tiered cake will look out of place at a small, intimate reception. With these four points in mind, your choice of a wedding cake will be better planned and better executed. Most of all remember that your wedding cake will take a significant bite out of your wedding out of your wedding budget, so enjoy the process and make sure you'll be getting what you pay for. |
Click Here To Return to Wedding Guide & Planner Index
©The right to download and store or output (e.g., print) materials found
in Hudson Valley Weddings Web Site is granted for personal use only.
Materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction or
editing by any means mechanical or electronic without the express written
permission of Hudson Valley Weddings is strictly prohibited. Certain names,
logos, and/or phrases on these pages may constitute trademarks or tradenames
of Hudson Valley Weddings or its clients. |