As enquiry season continues, and the consultations roll on, there are some common questions that are repeatedly cropping up. Whilst the answers to will vary between bakers, I thought it would be a good idea to answer the most frequently asked questions.
When it comes to choosing a wedding cake, there are many more things to think about and consider than just the flavours and design.
How much will my wedding cake cost?
I’ve got a whole other post breaking down the costs that go into a wedding cake. The post is very specific to couples getting married in London and surrounding areas like Kent, Essex & Hertfordshire. There are of course many factors that have to be taken into account when pricing a cake. If we use as an example a couple looking for a three tier cake, most couples spend in the region of £850 – £1100 including delivery. You can find some more detailed pricing information on my pricing page.
How far in advance should I book my wedding cake?
Popular wedding dates get booked up quickly. Here in the UK, that would pertain to anytime between May & October. Wedding dates for these months may be booked up to one year in advance. There is generally a shorter lead time for wedding taking place outside wedding season. With that being said, I’d suggest enquiring about six to eight months in advance.
Do I need to know what kind of wedding cake design I want?
Your Pinterest board may already be full of pins of cake designs you’d like. This is a great starting point, but not at all necessary. If you have other cues, such as wedding colours, themes, decor to present, your wedding cake designer will work with you to create a unique design during your consultation.
How much wedding cake do I need to serve my guests?
One of the first things couples ask is how much cake they will need to serve their guests. The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems. The way to think about it is, what is the purpose of your wedding cake? For some couples, their wedding cake will be the main dessert they will be serving to their wedding guests. If you have opted for a two course meal, you may wish to serve your wedding cake as dessert. In this instance, it would be advisable to have as many tiers as would provide generous servings for each guest. One of my past brides had given this great thought. When she sent out the meal choices to her guests, she asked them to choose which of four flavours they would like. We used this information to decide the number of tiers and flavours for each tier. No one wants a piddly slice of cake for dessert, so we made sure each guest got a dessert portion. See here for the difference between dessert and finger portions.
If you have already selected a three course meal from your caterers, the wedding cake portions are not as crucial. You can serve your wedding cake during the evening reception. At this time, some guests may be having too much fun to think about having a slice of cake. Or they may be so full from their three courses that they have no room for cake. For such scenarios, I counsel my couples to opt for a design that will feed finger portions to 75% of guests.
Should I have a buttercream or a fondant wedding cake?
I’ve written a whole blog post about this here, so I won’t rehash it! But just a quick note to say that most designs can be achieved in either finish. The last few summers in England have bought with it freakishly hot summer days! Though I’ve never had an issue with melting buttercream, a fondant cake would give peace of mind and be more reliable.
I’ve got another blog post here in defence of fondant. Fondant wedding cakes are set to make a huge comeback this year. They are no longer thought of as old fashioned, but are as contemporary, stunning and sleek as their buttercream counterparts. My advice here is to think about the designs you like rather than the finish. Whatever is on the outside of the cake is minimal in comparison to the rest of the cake, so don’t place too much importance on it!
When is the best time to set up the wedding cake?
This will depend on a number of factors. Is your wedding reception indoor or outdoor? Will your wedding reception be in the same room as your wedding ceremony? The best time to deliver the wedding cake is usually when your guests are well clear of the reception room. Typically this is during your wedding ceremony. If your wedding reception and ceremony will be taking place in the same room, the wedding cake will be delivered when your wedding guests are at the drinks reception or outside taking photos.
When should we cut our wedding cake?
This is of course very individual, but typically, the wedding cake is cut after the speeches. The cutting of the wedding cake is usually a signal that the formal part of the wedding is over, and the celebration is about to begin! Whilst you have your first dance, your caterers whisk the cake away and as your guests make their way to the dance floor, trays of cut cake appear as if by magic!
I have seen some new advice going round that the cake should be cut before the wedding reception begins. However, this is a missed opportunity for you to make the most of the biggest cake you’re ever likely to buy!
Can I have a different flavour for each tier?
Yes! To my surprise, most of my couples are surprised to learn they can have a different flavour for each tier. Of course if you’re very keen to have one flavour all the way through, you absolutely can. But, seeing as variety is the spice of life, it’s lovely to have a few flavours for your guests to choose from.
Can I have a small tier that is vegan/gluten free?
The answer to this is yes, and no! In general, to avoid cross contamination, it is best to keep these “free from” cakes as separate from the cakes that include these ingredients as possible. I am more than happy to create cakes for guests that have allergens to consider, but this will usually be in the shape of a complimentary mini cake. Not only does this ensure the safety of your guests, it also looks super cute, too!
Is it possible to have only a slither of real cake, whilst the rest is all dummies?
Yes! Post COVID, we have seen a surge in micro weddings. Whilst smaller weddings are ever so trendy, this doesn’t mean you are limited to a small cake. If you’ve been dreaming of having a five tier cake, which you don’t want to go to waste, you can! Even if you don’t intend to serve any cake, you can have a cake that is completely faux save the slice you wish to cut. This clever way of preserving the cake cutting photo opportunity involves placing a marker where the triangle of “real” cake is, so you cut the right place. Your guests will never know! Now, a word of caution here. There is the tendency to think that such cakes are cheaper because they’re not real cake. The bulk of a wedding cake cost comes from the labour involved in decorating the cake. Since this step is still needed to produce a beautiful wedding cake, such cakes may not be as inexpensive as you would have hoped.
Does my wedding cake come with a cake stand and knife?
Here at Sugar & Stories, I don’t provide a cake stand or knife. Most venues supply a wedding cake knife. There are also a number of local businesses that provide cake stands for as little as £10 for three days. Cake stands can really enhance a cake, so I do encourage you to source one for your wedding cake!
Can I save the top tier for the first anniversary or our baby’s christening?
Today, most wedding cakes are made of sponge, which isn’t as easy to keep fresh as the traditional fruit cake. If you would like to keep your wedding cake for a special occasion a few months or years later, you can. Freezing your wedding cake is the perfect way to ensure that your cake still tastes as fresh as the day it was made.
Is there a delivery fee?
Sugar & Stories is based in Lower Sydenham, South East London. I offer complimentary delivery to venues that are no more than 3 miles from my address. Outside of this radius, there is a flat delivery fee of £60, not including the congestion charge in Central London.
If you have any questions that I haven’t answered here, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to get in touch, and I’d be happy to help!
Until next time,
Jasmine