Frequently Asked Questions
- How much wedding cake do I need?
- How big is a serving of wedding cake?
- Who cuts the wedding cake?
- When should I order my wedding cake?
- What is included in the price of a wedding cake?
- What styles of cake can I choose from?
- Who pays for the groom’s cake?
- How can I get the best value for my money?
- Does fondant taste bad? And why does it cost more?
- Can I mix flavors and fillings on my wedding cake?
How much wedding cake do I need?
The general rule of thumb is to order enough bride’s cake to serve all your guests, and enough groom’s cake for half. So, if you expect 100 guests, you should order a bride’s cake that serves 100, and a groom’s cake that serves 50. If you are expecting fewer than 100, you can order proportionately smaller cakes.
That being said, the more guests you invite, the less cake you need, especially if you are offering two cakes. Couples often share one slice of bride’s cake and one slice of groom’s cake. Some, for dietary or other issues, ask for a “sliver” or do not have any at all. And some avoid the cake table if there is a line or too much of a crown. While you don’t want to “run out” of cake, you also do not want to have the entire bottom tier of cake left over. We suggest cutting the cake order by 10% to 20% for medium weddings (150 guests), and by 20% to 30% for larger weddings.
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How big is a serving of wedding cake?
A standard slice of two layer wedding cake is one inch wide by two inches long. So it should go without saying that if you can serve more guests if you cut smaller slices.
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Who cuts the wedding cake?
The bride often designates a friend or family member to cut the cakes. When this is the case, the bride should choose one or two people to cut and serve the bride’s cake and one or two people to cut and serve the groom’s cake.
If you are expecting the caterer to cut the cakes, you should arrange this in advance, as the caterer must often hire one or two people specifically to cut and serve cake. At a country club or hotel, a member of the serving staff is often given the job of cutting cake, but again, be sure to arrange this in advance.
If you have ordered a sheet cake to be cut and served in addition to the main cake(s), the people responsible for cutting the cake should be informed in advance when, or under which conditions, the additional cake should be cut. For example, should the additional cake be cut first and brought out on plates, or should it be cut only if you run out of the main cake or cakes?
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When should I order my wedding cake?
You should order your wedding cake as soon as possible after you choose the date and book the venue for your reception. In most cases, this is six to nine months in advance. This is especially important if you will be ordering cake to serve 150 or more guests, You can assume that if other brides are competing for a church and reception venue, they will also be competing for a cake.
Many bakers limit the number of wedding cakes they make any given weekend based on size and complexity. Most bakers can fit a smaller cake into their schedule, but may not be able to decorate and deliver a larger cake if they already have a wedding booked the same day.
By placing a deposit on a cake, you are reserving the date, but not necessarily a specific design. Most bakers will allow you to change the style and flavor of the cake until about 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
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What is included in the price of a wedding cake?
You should ask your baker, if the quoted price includes:
- Delivery and set-up to your reception venue
- Cake stand rental
- Different flavors and fillings
- Edible decorations such as fondant flowers, fresh fruit, candies or chocolate
Non-edible decorations such as fresh flowers or a cake topper are almost NEVER included in the quoted price of a wedding cake. Decorations for the cake table, such as linens, a server and knife for cutting the cake, plates, forks and napkins are also NOT included in the price of a wedding cake.
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What styles of cake can I choose from?
One of the first questions a baker will usually ask you (besides the size of the cake) is whether you prefer:
- A square or round cake (or combination of square and round tiers),
- A stacked cake or separated cake (or combination of stacked and separated tiers)
- What flavor of cake you would like
- What type of icing you would like
- What type of filling you would like between your layers
- What color and type of decorations you would like on your cake
A professional baker will draw a picture of the cake design for you to approve, specifying the above items, and attach it to your contract, so there is no misunderstanding regarding the design and flavor of the cake.
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Who pays for the groom’s cake?
The groom or his family usually pays for the groom’s cake.
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How can I get the best value for my money?
There is no rule that you must to serve every guest from the main cake. Supplementing your main cake with more economical sheet cakes cut in the kitchen is one way to stretch your wedding cake budget. Two layer sheet cakes cost a fraction of the price of wedding cake sold by the slice, and the cake looks exactly the same when plated.
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Does fondant taste bad? And why does it cost more?
The taste of fondant depends on the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the maker. Most people have only tasted the inexpensive white fondant sold at hobby stores, which tastes like sweet cardboard. Fondant made from better quality ingredients, such as white chocolate, tastes infinitely better
Making fondant from scratch does not guarantee quality. Again, the taste depends on the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the maker.
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Can I mix flavors and fillings on my wedding cake?
Yes. However, when you offer more than one flavor or filling, be prepared for your guests to have more than one slice. Often a guest will be tempted to try a second (or third) flavor of cake, even if he or she does not finish the first. We suggest ordering about 10% more cake when multiple fillings or flavors are desired.
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