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Sweet success is Easier Then You Think!

The wedding cake of your dreams can come with a huge price tag. This gorgeous and tasty wedding tradition can take a huge bite out of your wedding budget. In the end, you may not be able to get exactly the cake you want anyway.

Why not try your hand at baking your own wedding cake, or see if you have a friend or relative who could lend a hand and some culinary skills? Nervous first -- time chefs may want to bake and decorate a practice cake. That way, you can make your mistakes ahead of time and not for your big day.

Most craft stores have cake decorating classes where you can learn to make those super icing designs. You're going to be surprised how easy, fun and satisfying it can be to create the perfect confection for your big day. The following tips will get you started on a delicious and beautiful wedding reception cake.

Decide on a Basic Cake Type

Wedding cakes come in more than just three -- tiered, round shapes. Decide first upon your basic shape and icing style.

The best way to do this is to look through pictures of professionally baked cakes. What suits your style and wedding theme? Do tiers say "wedding" to you, or does a square, rectangular or other shape look appealing? Remember that the more complex the shape, the more difficult it may be to support your cake, so if you've never baked a wedding cake before, look for easier shapes and then add more complex decorations to give it individuality.

For icing, if you've ever wondered how wedding cake bakers get theirs so smooth, it's likely they're using fondant sheets of ready- made cake coating that can be cut and shaped as desired. Consider this style if you like a flawless look. If you're envisioning fluffy, soft and textured, plan on hand-frosting instead using a softer preparation which you can buy or make yourself. Or, consider filling in any "mistakes" with flowers or other cake decorations.

As for the flavors, have a tasting party! Your options are unlimited. Mix and match mocha cake with a wonderfully decadent homemade strawberry filling or cream cheese. Pair French vanilla with smooth, rich dark chocolate. Try one flavor, two, three or even four – you could have a different flavor for every layer or tier. You'll want your flavors to be appealing, but as for the details, you're limited only by your own imagination.

How Much Cake Do You Need?

Next, plan the size of your cake. Wedding etiquette calls for one 1" X 1.5" piece per guest; some couples serve a bit more, but convention calls for just "taste." Find out how much cake your finished recipe will create and to add more, plan on using tiers or more than one cake. (Double or triple the recipe based on your needs, then cut the finished product in different sizes.)

In order to create tiers, you'll need some form of support for each layer. Dowels (slender wooden sticks) are an easy and sturdy idea; you can often find these in home improvement or even chain stores, like Walmart. The idea is to cut dowels to an even size, insert them partway through the top of one tier and then lower the next -- highest tier onto it, effectively holding the layers together.

Columns, or supports, that actually separate the layers are much more difficult to do and could result in disaster on your wedding day if a teetering section careens to the ground. For a wedding cake baking novice, we strongly suggest not using separated tiers. Instead, have each layer meet the next. You can still get a beautiful and highly professional effect using this method.

Finishing Touches

After your cake is wrapped in fondant or iced, add whatever final touches you'd like. This is where taking a class will pay off, though you can buy them ready -- made as well. Or, use real flowers for a very elegant touch.

Whole fruits in season and colorful leaves lightly tossed around the bottom layer can be a delightful and very on-trend look. Remember to use items that are safe around food (some plants are toxic!). Try unique touches, such as a colored rather than white or cream -- colored frosting, a distinctive cake topper and other details. For a nostalgic touch, consider using your parent's cake topper on your cake.

Last of all, don't forget to save the top tier -- or at least a large slice -- to take home and put in your freezer. At your one -- year anniversary, take the piece out and share it. It's a wonderful way to recall your special day.