First, who will make this dream confection? If you are hiring a bakery for your cake, you will need some information. While it may sound obvious, taste some samples, even if everyone says a particular bakery is the best. Most reputable bakeries plan on having a couple sample the choices they have. Some bakers specialize in wedding cakes or special types of cakes. Ask if the cake can be decorated to match your theme or colors. Ask for pictures of prior wedding cakes and references from clients. While all the references don't have to be newlyweds, do get names from larger parties. Taste the different frostings and cake combinations. Consider a local specialty, such as huckleberries, if you are looking for a homemade touch. Also, listen to any advice a professional has to offer. If your Seattle bakery recommends a certain frosting for your Tacoma wedding because it will handle the trip better, take this information to heart.
Secondly, who is going to handle the cake details? Does the caterer set up the cake at the reception site? Who is responsible for returning the platters and pillars? How many cakes to do you need to accommodate your guest list? You might consider one fancy cake, complete with elegant decorations and flowers for the cake table. Sheet cakes can be made for guests and served from the kitchen if you need to trim your budget. Who will supply the cake knife and serving needs? Are there extra charges for set up and clean up? Take the time to hammer out the details so that there aren't any financial or scheduling surprises.
If you are planning to have a friend or a family member make your cake, there are special things to consider. Is this person capable of making the cake you want and suppling enough for everyone? It is a rare person who can handle making cake for 300 guests in their personal kitchen. Will this person handle all the cake details or just the actual baking? Have they ever handled this type of cake before? Who will pay for all the supplies and ingredients? For a small wedding, this type of arrangement might be both meaningful and delicious, but for more than 20 guests, it might be overwhelming.
Cakes can now be made in every possible shape, size and color. Tops can be sculptures, glass art work or the traditional bride and groom figurines. Bridal books, wedding fairs and planning vendors will all have ideas to share with you. Even your photographer will have suggestions for beautiful and delicious cakes. With all these choices, plan on spending some time with this decision. Look at this as a chance to spend some time with your sweetheart, eating fancy confections and planning your lives together.
Look at your location, your theme, and your dreams to find the wedding cake which celebrates you as a couple. Bakers have become artists these days and you will surely be surprised with all your choices. This is one place where you can have your cake and eat it, too.