Catering to everyones taste can be tricky. However, you could choose to have a tiered cake made up with different flavours. For example, a fruit, a chocolate and a carrot cake tier. If you choose a fruit cake, remember to order early to give time for the flavours to mature.
Alternatively, instead of one large cake, you could opt for a tower of little cakes.
Icing, sugar paste flowers, ribbons, icing lacework, monograms and motifs will co- ordinate your cake, or cakes, with your theme. A good cake maker will take the time to really get to know you both to ensure the perfect end results.
Generally, the cake maker will deliver the cake to your reception and assemble it on site. Rather than place it on the top table, it is wiser to have a separate table, which is then decorated with flowers, or petals.
If you are getting married abroad, your cake maker can design a cake to carry on board the plane as hand luggage.
There is a definite trend for alternative cakes, sometimes called "the groom's cake". This could be a surprise cake given by the bride to the groom, or visa versa, to appeal to his or her particular taste buds and is in addition to the wedding cake.
If you wish to follow tradition, you will want to keep the top tier for your first anniversary. It will need to be carefully wrapped and stored in a dry, cool place, or it could be frozen. Alternatively you may wish to store some of the sugarcraft details in a sealed glass container. Ask your cake maker for advice.
The bride holds the knife in her right hand and the grooms hand closes over hers. With the knife turned upside down for luck, they cut the first slice together. (Your caterer should cut through the icing first to prevent your cake toppling over.) "Cutting the Cake" is announced by the toastmaster or best man and is toasted with champagne or sparkling wine.
Traditionally, it takes place after the speeches. However, you may choose to do this before the meal, especially if the cake(s) will be the dessert course. This will allow the caterers time to cut and prepare it for serving.
- Choose your cake after choosing the style and theme of your wedding
- Take along sample materials and colours to your cake maker
- Always have a sample tastings
- If choosing ingredients such as fresh cream, keep in mind that it will not keep longer than 4 hours if not refrigerated
- Ask your cake maker to tell you of any ingredients used which may affect people with allergies, nuts for example. Remember to let those guests know
- If it is to be a marquee reception where floors can be uneven (or if it is to be on a boat), for stability, rather than have a tiered cake which is separated by pillars, consider having a stacked cake where the layers sit directly on top of each other
- Before ordering know the number of people who will receive a slice (include those who will not be attending the wedding, colleagues for example)
- If you have not ordered your cake from your wedding venue, the venue may charge extra for the cutting and plating.
- Avoid the same flavour cake to that of your dessert
- Decide whether you want to preserve a tier for your first anniversary and ask your cake maker how best to store it
- Ask your cake maker if delivery and assembly is included in the cost
- Ask for a written, detailed contract before paying a deposit
- Check your venue has a table suitable to display your cake (preferably with wheels if it is a large cake so it can be more easily moved to the kitchen for cutting). Do they provide a stand and a knife? Determine beforehand where it will be positioned making sure of a good background and lighting for the photographs
- Arrange a time with your venue for access to set-up your cake table
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