Choosing Your Wedding Cake

What do people wait for in a wedding reception? There may be many other answers to this question but there is no doubt in my mind the wedding cake would be the foremost answer. Think back and you will probably notice that wedding guests would wait for at least the wedding cake to be cut before they leave. So in deciding about your wedding cake, you have to be sure that your cake will make the statement that you want it to.

If you want to follow tradition, you would probably go for the three tiered cake covered in icing. However, today, there are tons of choices to pick from. You can even let your creativity come into play and design your own cake! Here are some things to consider when thinking about your wedding cake.

Size. How big do you want your cake to be? How many guests are you going to invite? Aside from that, you should also consider if you are going to have friends who won’t be able to make it to the wedding – you may want to send them some cake afterwards.

Design. Once you have decided on the size, the design is vital to the “success” of your cake. As I mentioned earlier, you can follow the traditional design or you may opt for something else. Wedding magazines are a good venue to get some ideas. Visit different cake shops and look at their collection as well. If you have a specific idea of what you want your cake to look like, then it is easier for you. Just take your idea to the baker and see if he can make it.

Flavor. Of course, the wedding cake is meant for more than decoration. It is going to be eaten. As such, it has to taste good. There are really no restrictions anymore as to the flavor of wedding cakes. If you prefer a certain flavor then go for it. Though wedding cakes used to be white and thus vanilla flavored, there is no stopping you from having a chocolate cake. You can even have cheesecake, mousse, or any other flavor under the sun!

Just remember, decide on your wedding cake at least a month before the wedding. Many bakers require that orders be placed months in advance. Otherwise, you might have to settle for something ready made and not really to your taste.

Wedding Cakes: What To Ask The Baker

There is no doubt about it, the wedding cake is one of the centerpieces during a wedding. Many people look forward to seeing the cake and actually tasting it during the reception. Tradition has it that the cake be part of any wedding ceremony, whether it be a grand wedding or a simple gathering. Even civil weddings with a small party afterwards normally feature cakes. So when planning for your wedding, you must ensure that your cake is exactly what you want it to be – both in physical appearance and taste. Here are some questions you can ask the baker when canvassing for a wedding cake.

First and foremost, request for a tasting. This should not be a problem, especially if the baker specializes in wedding cakes. You should know what you will be buying and therefore should have a taste of what the baker has to offer. Many bakers will offer you a range of frostings and flavors to choose from – do not hesitate, taste all of them until you know which one you want for your own wedding cake.

If you have a specific design in mind, then inquire with the baker if they will accommodate your request. These days, one popular design for cakes is to put an image on the surface. Perhaps you want a picture of you and your partner imprinted on the cake – ask if that is possible. Better that you know if the baker is capable of carrying out your ideas on the outset than having to change your mind later on.

Also ask to see the portfolio of the baker. That is, see if he has pictures of the other wedding cakes that he has baked. This will give you a clear idea of his work and whether you like it or not.

Don’t forget practical matters such as cake preparation. When will he bake the cake? The best time frame is at the most 2 days before the wedding. Ask him if the offer delivery and set up services. This will lessen the load on you on your wedding day. Ask about extra charges, if any. These may apply for extra decorations on the cake such as cake tops and pillars. If so, make it clear whether they should be returned or not. If it is the former, inquire as to costs if the decorations somehow get damaged. Last, have your agreement in writing and signed.

What in the World is a Groom’s Cake?

Have you been hearing this term but haven’t had the nerve to ask what it is? Then you’ll be glad to know that the groom’s cake is our topic today. We definitely want all you engaged couples up to date on the current trends for weddings.

The Groom’s cake is actually not a new concept but may be unheard of where you live. It is said to have been created by French bakers in order that the wedding cake, which traditionally was broken over the newly wed couple’s head, could stay intact. They used the groom’s cake instead. Later, the breaking of the cake evolved into the slicing of the cake. This change resulted in the groom’s cake becoming less popular as its purpose faded.

The groom’s cake has now enjoyed a resurgence of its popularity. Many brides now wish to acknowledge the uniqueness of their grooms with these cakes. These cakes after all reflect not the bride’s taste but that of the groom.

No longer is it necessary to stick to the traditional fruit or chocolate cake. Groom’s cakes can be made in the groom’s favorite flavor. If his favorite is lemon, that can be arranged.

Even the look of the groom’s cake is all his. Some groom’s cakes use the basic cake shape and just use a cake topper to reflect the groom’s special interest. Other cakes are actually shaped to match the groom’s special preferences. There are cakes that are football shaped, shaped like a stadium, shaped like cars, shaped like an ambulance…the list goes on. There are as many choices of cake designs as there are grooms. All you really need is a great imagination and a great baker.

Who chooses the groom’s cake? There really isn’t any hard and fast rule on this. Some brides are the ones who select this, hoping to show their new husbands how much they know them. The design therefore is kept secret until the big day.

Other couples prefer that the groom make the selection. After all it is his cake. He should have a cake that he loves taste, looks and all.

When do you serve the groom’s cake? The groom’s cake can be served at his stag party. It can be served at the rehearsal dinner. It can be served at the wedding. It can even be served to the wedding party as they relax now that the wedding reception is completely finished.

You may want to follow the other tradition of the groom’s cake. The groom’s cake isn’t a big cake. Traditionally it is mean to be sliced and placed in boxes, which are then given to all the unmarried ladies attending the wedding. The slice of cake is meant to be placed under their pillow so that they will dream of their groom (whoever it shall be).

Tradition aside, the cake makes for a great alternative dessert to the wedding cake. It can also be a great souvenir of the wedding. So, more cake anyone?

Wedding Cake, Anyone?

There are various traditions and beliefs involving the wedding cake. It isn’t just a piece of dessert, it is actually a focal point of the event. Basic things to keep in mind about the wedding cake is that it must be of a flavor that you, the bride and groom love. Remember this is your day! It should look the way you want and taste the way you want.

Over the years, heaven knows why, the wedding cake doesn’t always get eaten. In some countries, after the couple have their slice, the cake sits untouched except to let the single women pull fortune slips (sort of like fortune cookies) out from under the cake layers tagged with ribbons. This is really sad! Think of the delicious uneaten cake and the kids looking longingly at the beautiful sweet treat within reach but can’t be touched.

One reason this may have come about is the belief that the cake (at least the top of it) should be preserved to celebrate the christening of their first child. Still, food is meant to be eaten. Enter the fake layers!

At a friends wedding, only the portion to be sliced by the bride and groom was real. The rest of the cake was already sliced and individually packed. These they gave away as their souvenirs. What a delicious and practical gift.

One superstitious reason you may want to give out the cake, sharing the cake is said to be sharing the blessing and happiness and it comes back tenfold. Another reason is that singles who put a piece of the wedding cake under their pillow will dream of the person they will marry. Help your friends find their match, share the pastry.

Icing anyone? Choosing The Right Wedding Cake

The wedding cake is one of the most beautiful accessories at a wedding. It is an elegant representation of wedded bliss in an edible form. It is a work of art that is enjoyed by the bride and groom together.

It can get a bit overwhelming to choose a cake nowadays, which is why wedding planners suggest getting this item settled at least four months before. If you go with tradition, you get a wedding cake that is white, layered and has a “bride and groom” figurine on top. It is always nice to have options though. Nowadays, cakes may now come in any number of colors, usually matching the theme of the wedding.
Instead of the figurines, a bouquet of flowers may be used to top and decorate the cake. While fresh flowers are pretty, candy flowers are a more common sight on the cake. A really talented cake designer can even create some that match the flowers that the bride is carrying.

Not only can it now match the theme, it no longer needs to be in layers. Are you worried that the flower girl and ring bearer will be using their fingers on the cake? Then make the icing a fondant. It coats the cake like cloth and can’t be swept off by a kid with a sweet tooth.

In quite a number of weddings, the cake isn’t served to the guests. Knowing this, you might want to be practical and opt for an ornamental cake. This is a cake with fake layers except for the bottom one. The newly weds still get their beautiful looking centerpiece at less cost.

Of course, no matter what style you choose for the look of the cake, the most important thing to remember about it is the taste. Remember that you and the groom will be having a slice, so it’s best to have a flavor that you both love.