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# 1 - Quick Tips and Pointers
- Do you remember how wonderful
the wedding cake tasted at the last wedding you attended? If you do, then contact the
Newlyweds and ask for the name of the bakery. If not, then research and visit three
bakeries in your city or town who specialize in wedding cakes. Or,
if there is a wedding show in your city or town coming soon, then the show is
your best bet! Many bakers exhibit at the shows and bring samples for you to taste.
As you start to pay attention to wedding cakes, you will soon become
an expert in good tasting cakes.
Because you will taste many cakes at the wedding show, take a cheat sheet with you.
For example:
WEDDING CAKES - [5 is the best]
Exhibitor booth #______
Business Name ________________________________
Taste 1 2 3 4 5
Décor 1 2 3 4 5
Favorite flavors _________________________________
Exhibitor booth #______
Business Name ________________________________
Taste 1 2 3 4 5
Décor 1 2 3 4 5
Favorite flavors _________________________________
Exhibitor booth #______
Business Name ____________________________
Taste 1 2 3 4 5
Décor 1 2 3 4 5
Favorite flavors ___________________________
If you are on a tight budget and prefer a
simple wedding cake, then consider ordering your cake from your local grocer shop.
You will be surprised at the quality, but the decorations will be very limited.
Thinking of asking your Auntie to bake the cake? If your budget is extremely
limited, maybe a friend or relative who is experienced in producing wonderful
cakes can help. Of course, there are many more risks in working with friends.
Consider what will happen if your relative who graciously accepted the tasks to
bake your cake is not feeling well, or her oven stopped working, or the baking
soda was flat? We suggest you hire a professional if possible for the most satisfying
result.
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# 2 - About
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Your Wedding Cake.
- Wedding cakes of the new Millennium are
incredible pieces of art! Never before has so much combined creativity, artistry and
elegance been displayed on wedding cakes. Search through the wedding magazines and you
will see stunning wedding cake designs. Of course, you can attend bridal shows where
bakers are plentiful and you can actually taste the cakes first hand.
The Millennium Bride and Groom insist on good looks and good taste. Who wants
to serve a dry white cake with white frosting ?
Get real. Today’s couples want sophistication, creativity and uniqueness.
A new way to present the wedding cake is to offer mini-cakes. Each small cake
is individually decorated and served to your guests as a very special treat. Your
guests will not receive a “piece” of the large sheet cake, but one that resembles the
Bride and Groom’s cake.
If you have a wedding “theme”, the wedding cake is very much a player. Are you getting
married on the beach? Then the cake can be decorated with a sail boat, sea shells, dolphins
or ocean waves (leave out the sand). Are you having a Victorian wedding? Then find a baker
who knows how to decorate with the lace and flowers of the time. Is your wedding in Spring
with colorful bridesmaids' dresses and daisies? The colors can be matched by the baker—bring a sample
of the fabric or linen to the shop. If you don't have a theme, let the culinary masters
create something for you--after he or she learns about your personality and/or life style.
If you are having your wedding at a hotel or private property that services weddings,
then the wedding cake is usually a part of a package deal. If you choose their cake,
you may be limited in what the baker will offer. However, a benefit is that you know
the site manager only refers reputable bakers. Don’t forget to taste the cake from
the hotel. Either they have a sample available, or you can schedule a date/time when you
can sample it.
If you and your future spouse are interested in a special design or type
of cake, then you will have more work to do seeking the baker who can create your
vision. Only some bakers can replicate the art in a photo you want, or can make three
pieces chocolate and one piece yellow, or vice-versa. Maybe the top-tierd cake has a
strawberry filling, and the rest of the cake has lemon filling --- special requests
such as these are possible at the right price.
- Groom's Cake. If money is no object, many of these small groom
cakes (or slices) are boxed for guests to take home as a favor. The groom's cake is decorated
in a very masculine way; dark chocolate and white; sometimes with added decor such as bow
ties, a tuxedo look, or a clock.
- Cake Toppers. Are you having a traditional wedding?Bride
and Groom tops were made popular by royalty
and the Victorian era. Most bakeries carry a variety of the traditional figurines.
Do you prefer a modern cake topper? Here are some suggestions: doves, fresh flowers,
fruit, ribbons, golf balls, horseshoes, penguins--you want it, you can probably find it.
Want a cake topper to remember? Make sure it will be something that can be complemented
in your wedding photos years from now. Most toppers are not outrageous, but instead
signify something virtuous, such as happiness, joy and peace.
Does your cake need a topper? Ask your baker to suggest a decorative extension
for the topper.
- You may need to find a fantastic
bakery for other parties. Here are some to consider.
The Engagement Party
. Any delicious-tasting cake is fitting
for your engagement party. The cake is not the center of attention as it will be at your
wedding. Find the perfect flavors to compliment the dinner menu. If you have an Italian
dinner of pasta and veal, perhaps you would like a traditional teramasu. Or if you have
seafood as the entre', perhaps you will select a rich chocolate cake. If you have steak
or chicken, a good ice cream dessert or crème cup will suite your guests. Keep in mind
to serve a light dessert to end a rich entre', and vice versa. But enough with the
guidelines, any favorite dessert is most likely going to please most of your dinner
guests.
Shower Cake. This cake is usually decorated with miniature
bridal accessories, ribbons and flowers, and sometimes a little umbrella. Most bakeries
already know how to decorate the cake for a bridal shower. The cake is a nice ending
to a fun night with friends.
Rehearsal Dinner.This cake is not especially decorated with
bride and groom references, but is a simple dessert to balance the tastes of the evening
to end the night in a sweet way. Since more rehearsal dinners are held at a favorite
restaurant, there is no need to make special arrangements.
Flavors. So many flavors to select--keep reading ...
Cake: white, yellow, chocolate, carrot
Filling: lemon, vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, mango, chocolate, mouse,
ice cream
Icing: white, chocolate, whip cream, coconut
Liquor favorites: Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Rum (for the adults of course)
Nuts: hazelnut, praline, almond, walnut, pecan
Tip: Consider the environment. The
cake will be displayed for several hours. Is the room air conditioned or is it under
a tent outside on a warm summer day? Make sure the baker is aware of the environment
to help you make your decision.
Can’t make up your mind? Try a different flavor for each tier.
Types of Cakes:
Elegant – keep it simple
Color – white and pastels are popular
Flowers – match it with your arrangement
Pricing your wedding cake. The cake can cost $4 to $10 per person. As you can see,
this is a wide range. Let’s look at an example for 100 plates and you select a local
bakery with a traditional style cake. You might spend about $500 for the three or
four tiered cake. Keep in mind that many guests may have left the event, or that
quite a few folks prefer to dance and laugh than have some cake (but you don’t want
to run out either).
For the couple with a very large budget and command a five-star restaurant,
the cake can cost up to $18 to $20 per serving. For 100 guests, it many cost $1,800 to
$2,000. The cost will depend on your demand for a custom design and custom flavors.
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# 3 - Contracts- Details will be very important.
Read the Contract or Sales Quote several times before you sign and return it.
Here's what you will find on the order:
Description of the cake (all details, such as layers, decor, filing, flavor, icing, cake
topper)
Date and delivery time. Check it twice.
Location address.
Deposit and requirements for final payment.
Components that need to be returned after the wedding.
Provision for late delivery, inaccurate order, non-delivery, unsatisfactory quality.
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# 4 - Questions to Ask - Ask if the baker can deliver
a wedding cake on your wedding date.
- Ask to taste
samples (attend a local event, or set an appointment).
- Ask how long the bakery has been in the wedding business.
- Ask how many weddings he/she services in a month.
- Ask about the deposit and exactly
what you get for the deposit.
- Make sure you take home a price sheet with details.
- Ask if the delivery personnel has
delivered a wedding cake to the site of your reception.
- Ask specific questions about the
refund policy in case the cake is not delivered as contracted or for some reason, is not
delivered.
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Customer Support:
support@weddingsabreeze.com or 760.419.1516
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