Dear Bride to-be,

There are many things for you to keep in mind as you search the market for your 'perfect' wedding cake. Consider these questions as your guide in the “wedding cake decision making process.”

How do I choose the right Cake Designer?

Quality is easily calculated when you visit the Designer. Browse through their website or proffessional portfolio of wedding cakes and taste the cake samples that are offered.  Take the  opportunity, seek out and listen to what other wedding vendors and clients have to say about a specific cake decorator. Ask for reference from other brides they have worked with. 

As a rule, the professional baker provides a more consistent, high-quality product and customer service than the nonprofessional. The professional Cake Decorator works hard to maintain a good reputation in the business community and strives to build a satisfied clientele. 

Cake Size

Cakes come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular shapes are round and square tiers but there are also petal, hexagon, heart shape, octagon, oval, and rectangular shaped cake tins.

Keep in mind that square tiers serve more guests than round tiers. A round cake serving 100 guests will require more  than a square cake with the same number of servings.
Cakes have 6”, 8”, 10” 12", 14" 18" and 20"  in all the shapes.
A square cake with 6”, 8”, 12” tiers, serves 100 while a round cake of the same size only serves 78. Bear in mind that people cut cake differently. Please see the Cake Cutting And Serving Guide Page

 Cake size is calculated based on the number of guests. After you’ve made your guest list, you’ll be able to predict the number of people that you expect to actually attend your wedding, then choose your cake size. 

 Cake Icing

Buttercream and Royal Icing has been predominanly the icing used on cakes but more and more brides are choosing fondant as the icing for their cakes because it lends itself to much more elaborate designs. It looks much smoother and easier for us  as decorators to work with. It is also  a more expensive choice as it takes much more time to make and also cost more to buy.

Cake Topper

Many modern Brides have veered away from the traditional Bride and Groom cake toppers. They feel it's old School and they are designing their own, either by using fresh flowers from the Florist, silk flowers,  bows and or flowers from gumpaste or fondant (a form of pliable  Icing) Many brides are also using monogrammed Initials of her and her husband on the cake top. (see below) These can be made from crystal and other jewellery or beads. As usual it is your wedding and you choose what you want, these are just ideas to help you on your way.

Grooms Cakes
These days more and more brides are having a cake made for her groom. Groom’s cake can take the shape of a sports he is involved with, such as Cricket Bat or a , Soccer Ball ect. If he likes to wear hats you could make him a cake in the shape of a hat, if he plays the Piano Organ or any musical instruments, you could make a cake in that shape.  The bride’s cake is the focus...the groom’s cake is the accent and is always set to the side during the reception but is should be visible and create interest. Many brides use a different flavor for the grooms cake than the bridal cake which should be a cake that the groom will like, after all it is his cake. :) The grooms cake is never enough to serve everyone,  so it is his to give whom he chooses and take the rest home.  

 Having a beautiful groom's cake at your reception is an opportunity to spotlight the groom on a day which usually centers around the bride. Slices of the groom's cake can be boxed as a memen  of the wedding for departing guests. Legend says if a young maiden sleeps with a slice under her pillow, she'll dream of the man she will marry :)

 Don’t be afraid to get a groom’s cake that is nothing short of original to reflect the groom’s personality. You should be bold and get a cake that will amaze your guests and create a long-lasting memory for your wedding. After that's part of what it is all about.
 

Sheet Cakes

What are sheet cakes?  A Sheet Cake  as we call it, is  a seperate cake from the bridal cake that is  made in a sheet pan, 2" high, is cut up in smalll pieces, put in a cake box ( with your, your grooms name and your wedding date on  the cover)  and given to guests at the reception. I have also seen it served with coffee as dessert during the reception. Traditionally, most West Indians want a little piece of cake to take when they are going home as a token of your  wedding. Sometimes this bit of cake is shared with the rest of family when they get home.

So as to save money, some brides make no extra sheet cake at all, they make a big enough bridal cake, let  the catering hall take it away after the Cake Cutting Ceremony and cut up  for the guests. Of course it is your wedding and you will decide what you really want to do. This is just to give you ideas as to what is done sometimes.

Making The Decision For The Bridal Cake