Wedding Ideas

By: Blake Kritzberg

It’s a fact, however odd it seems, that some brides don’t like cake — and don’t want one at their wedding reception. Others like cake just fine, but prefer to serve something a little more distinctive for dessert. On the whole, brides pass up cake at their wedding because they:

- don’t like it
- want something nontraditional and edgy and are bored by “the norm”
- want something that more personally represents them or their geographical area
- attended too many catered weddings where no one touches the cake because they’d already had a full meal plus dessert
- have a venue that tacks on high cake serving fees

I must admit I’m tempted to stare when someone tells me “they just don’t like cake.” Because, as everyone knows, wedding cake is no longer just cake. Wedding cake has morphed into something that, in the right hands, borders on a religious experience.

Today’s chefs know that a good cake — one light years away from the “packing material” type of old — is full of delicious, creamy fat. And not that horrifying vegetable shortening, either. The modern wedding cake is loaded with real butter, moist base material (poppy seed cake, pound cake, carrot cake, banana, chocolate, red velvet and more) and tempting fillings (amaretto, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, raspberry, white chocolate).

The exterior, too, has gotten sleeker and lovelier in response to today’s streamlined bridal fashions. All the former hallmarks of questionable taste — fountains, pillars, mugging couples on a cake topper — are gone. So how can any bride resist?

Many don’t, but a few persevere in wanting something else. Fortunately, weddings these days are about personal choice and individuality — they don’t have to have one. And the alternatives to cake are many.

The secret to a satisfying wedding cake alternative is simple — presentation. Whatever you’re serving, stack it in tiers. Follow this simple tip and you can turn almost anything into food fit for the most special occasion.

Tiered puddings and mousses

Pre-chill wine or champagne glasses, and fill with:
- Chocolate, chocolate orange, lemon mousse
- Rice, coconut rice or wild rice pudding
- Raspberry, hazelnut or regular tiramisu
- White chocolate, key lime, blackberry or biscotti parfaits
- Heavy whipped cream, topped with sweet in-season berries

If your budget’s ample, you can also stack up individual-sized
- Caramel, anise, pumpkin flan
- Crme brulee — regular, eggnog, blueberry, espresso, coconut

Tiered Pastries

Cream puffs are the staple — and for good reason. Remember that cream puffs don’t have to be round; you can use cookie cutters to fashion them into lots of creative shapes. You can also go beyond them and stack up:
- Gooey cinnamon rolls
- Funnel cakes
- Baklava
- Souffls served in individual custard cups
- Cream horns, clairs, St. Joseph’s pastries, sfogliatelle, cannoli, napoleons, baba rum

Straight from the Shelf

You won’t be the first bride to try this. Stack those tiers high and proud or create an entire freestanding “cake” with:
- Sno Balls, Suzy Qs, HoHos, Ding Dongs, Twinkies
- Krispy Kreme donuts, Moon Pies

Other Options

- Chocolate-dipped fruit
- Chocolate truffles
- A chocolate fountain
- Sugar cookies or brownies with your initials in cellophane wrappers
- Fancy pies: key lime, lemon, chocolate pecan, coconut custard, cranberry apple, macadamia nut, peanut butter and white chocolate cream.

Whatever you choose, try to retain the cake-cutting part of your ceremony. The cutting of the cake is an ancient ritual and a powerful symbol of unity between the couple and their guests. It doesn’t matter if you’re really digging into a lemon meringue pie — your guests will still want to ooh and ahh as you cut it together and feed each other.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of “FavorIdeas.com.” Stop by for a huge selection of wedding favors , Bridezilla’s weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date ecards, screensaver, wallpaper and wedding web site templates.
http://www.favorideas.com
http://www.favorideas.com

Article Source: Article Hub

by Lucinda Lane

When it comes to your wedding services alone, nobody wants to spend an arm and a leg on this and still have to foot the bill for the reception. Really it depends on where you want to your wedding to be and what type of service that you are hoping to have. With careful wedding planning, you can save a small fortune!

When you are planning your wedding , there is a way to satisfy all types of weddings as long as you know what your options are. Lets take a look at the different types of ceremonies that you can choose from that can save you a great deal of money.
Church Ceremony

When you are planning your wedding ceremony to be in a church, you will often have to pay for the rental and the priest or minister to perform the ceremony.

Some churches will decorate for you while others will not. If this is an issue, be sure to ask first. How much money you will pay for the ceremony will vary and will depend on how the policies of the church. Careful wedding planning requires you to discover all the costs upfront so you can make an informed decision.

Here are some tips on how you can save money on a church ceremony.

* Look for a church that offers complete services or all inclusive packages rather than separate fees
* Try to bargain deals for outdoor weddings
* Rent the church alone and hire your own minister
* Have your services on a day where there are no church services because it may be cheaper
* Decorate the church yourself
* Offer to volunteer at the church for awhile in exchange for a discount
* You can save some money by hosting your ceremony in the church basement rather than in the worship center.
* Churches will often offer more inexpensive prices if you are a member of the church.

These wedding planning tips should give you something to think about for now!

In the next instalment, I will be showing you how you can save money and have fun with some creative, unconventional wedding planning ideas that will allow you to express your individuality (nobody will suspect you are actually saving money by doing things this way!)

If you can’t wait for the next instalment of my wedding planning tips, check out my links below for some links to ideas you can get started with right away!

Lucinda Lane has written a complete guide to cheaper weddings available at www.weddings-information-guide.com

Article Source: Article Hub

By: Ispas Marin

If you’re not being able to pay for a wedding catering service to fully cater your event you can save with some low-cost ideas. If presented with flair, even the simplest of foods can be special. Don’t forget about the wedding cake and the beverages. As a rule of thumb, buffets are cheaper than sit-downs because of less staff needed by the catering service.

Here are four ideas that can help save on the catering services.

1. Salad Luncheon/Reception
If the wedding is late morning you can provide a wonderful salad luncheon. It’s cheaper than a sit-down meal and you can offer a wide selection of salads with salads dressings, fruits and breads.

2. Hors d’oeuvres Reception - Deli/Party Trays Reception
This event is best placed between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM or after an evening wedding. Light finger foods should be provided, like fruit and vegetable platters, chips and dips, and crackers. You can also provide more substantial foods like meat and cheese trays, oysters, shrimp cocktails chicken wings and egg rolls.

3. Decadent Dessert Reception or Dessert Party
It’s appropriate between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM and after an evening wedding. An extensive assortment of rich desserts should be served, and beverages like coffee and tea.

4. A Simple Cake and Punch Reception
As long as it’s not during meal time you can let your guests serve cake. You can have a simple and elegant cake and punch reception. The planning should be for the mid morning, afternoon or after an evening wedding. You should make sure that your guests are informed in time that they will not receive a full meal.

There are a lot more ideas that you can find online about how to reduce the cost on the wedding catering services and still have an enjoyable event, just search on google and you’ll see.

Visit http://www.catererfinder.com We can help you find catering service that suits your requirement.

Article Source: Article Hub

By: Dion Semeniuk

WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE WEDDING FAVORS AND WHY?

At most weddings, the bride and groom will offer some type of small memento as a note of appreciation to family and friends, more commonly known as wedding favors. As you will discover in this article, the type of favors are widely varied but there are some that are considered better choices than others. Remember, wedding favors do not have to be expensive. In fact, this type of gift can be something homemade. If you want to go all out, that is certainly fine, but it is also not necessary. The focus of the wedding favor is to let people know you are grateful for their assistance with your wedding and/or reception or that you are just honored they showed up. To help you get started, we have provided you with the top five wedding favors.

Food

One of the most popular types of wedding favor is food, simply because most people love to eat. A wonderful option that is easy and inexpensive to make would be to purchase small black favor boxes and then line them with white tissue paper. Place Oreo cookies or dark chocolate covered peanuts inside and then tie the box off with white and red ribbon. Watch everyone enjoy the beautiful box but even more, the delicious goodies inside. This is a very nice choice for both informal and formal weddings.

Flower Plant

The second of the top five wedding favors is a fresh plant or flower seeds. With this, you can get as creative as you want. A couple of ideas that work very nice is placing a miniature plant or cacti in a small terra cotta planter. To make this more personalized, the women (and men) in the wedding party could get together for lunch to embellish the pots with ribbon, craft paint, lace, and so on. You could also choose a simple glass container, add three different seed packages, and punch a hole through the upper corner of all three to tie together with ribbon. These are appreciated because once planted, they are a constant reminder of your cherished event.

Fragrant Soap

For the third of the top five wedding favors, you might also consider fragrant soap or votive candles. For soap, this is a lovely wedding favor to place in hotel rooms of out-of-town guests. You can purchase all of the supplies at local hobby or craft stores and then purchase your fragrant of choice such as lemon grass, watermelon, sandalwood, white ginger, etc. If you prefer, you can purchase pre-made soap or buy glycerin and molds to make your own. As an extra romantic touch, look at mold designs such as wedding bells, hearts, bubble designs.

Candles

Now for the fourth of the top five wedding favors, you can never go wrong with votive candles, enjoyed by both men and women. This type of wedding favor can again be purchased through a hobby or craft store or on the Internet. If you prefer, you can create your own candles, which involves melting wax, adding color and fragrance, and then pouring into approved glass jars. Choose several coordinating colors if you like and for the simple yet elegant glass jars, add decorative touches such as flowers, ribbon, or trinkets attached with hot glue.

Pewter

Finally, the last of the five top wedding favors would be pewter or silver. You will find many wonderful choices such as picture frames, paperweights, and bottle openers. With this type of gift, you will probably pay a little more but this is a nice gift for a more formal wedding, affluent group list, or members of the bridal party. Remember, you can choose from hundreds of wedding favors to include miniature bottles of wine, stationary with last name and wedding date, golf balls and tees for the sports enthusiasts, and the list goes on and on. Whether you go with bubbles to be blown as you and your new spouse leave the church to creative miniature baskets filled with candles, candy or Jordons almonds and everything in between, the key is to choose wedding favors that coordinate with your wedding but that are also special for your type of guest list.

Dion Semeniuk has been married for over 5 years now and has been providing ideas with his wife’s help for other peoples weddings. To learn more about other wedding favor ideas, visit http://www.wedding-favor-directory.com.

Article Source: Article Hub

By: Samantha Taylor

So, you decided to opt for an outdoor wedding under the sun amidst the lake, ocean or beach. Are you sure you have considered all the aspects of an outdoor wedding? Did you consider the fact that you and your guests are going to be outside for many hours throughout the day in the beating hot sun? Some people worry so much that it’s going to rain or be cold that they completely forget to prepare themselves for the sun and the heat. The last thing you want is for you or your guests to be burnt for pictures and leave the wedding early because they are sun-fried. So here are some sun protection tips to keep in mind whether you’re the bride, groom or guest at an outdoor wedding:

Do not tan in a salon or outdoor prior to the wedding. Tanning of any sort is bad for your skin and can cause peeling right before the wedding.

If you want to get the outdoor tanned look, opt for self-tanning products that will give you the same effect without harming your skin. There are many lotions and foams that work wonders on the skin.

Make sure you apply sunscreen numerous times throughout the day. Encourage your guests to do so as well. Indicate on the invitation that the wedding is outdoors and remind them to bring sunscreen. Here’s an idea - hand out small decorative bottles of sunscreen as an early wedding favor for your guests.

Try and avoid the sun as much as possible between the hours of 10am and 4pm. The sun’s rays are strongest at these times. Perhaps it’s a good idea to get pictures closer to the morning or early afternoon, before anyone is too tired (or burnt) from the sun.

Pack (and tell your guests to pack) cover-ups, shawls, wraps and hats for protection against the heat of the sun. Shawls are perfect for covering up your shoulders since they are a prime area for burns.

The coordinator of the wedding should ensure there are tents and umbrellas for shade. This is very important because spending the entire day in the sun with no shade can cause heat exhaustion and be harmful to your health.

Finally, make sure there is plenty of water for you and your guests. There’s nothing worse than being hot and thirsty. Lack of water can cause dehydration which can be very dangerous for you and your guests. Have water coolers setup in different areas so they are easily accessible for everyone.

Keep in mind the precautions listed above. It will ensure that your wedding goes smoothly for you and your guests. After all, it is the most important day of your life and you don’t want to take any chances of something ruining your special day!

Samantha Taylor spent several years working in the weddings industry as a wedding planner. When she isn’t being a mom of two wonderful children, she works as a freelance writer for http://www.yourwedding101.com - a site that offers information about everything related to planning a wedding - from wedding dresses to finding the perfect wedding cake and more.

Article Source: Article Hub

By: Cindy English

If you are considering a beach wedding, the ideas are as endless as your imagination!

One thing about choosing a beach wedding theme is that it allows you total creative freedom. Depending on the time of day, the beach can set the mood. At sunrise or sunset, it is a place of serenity, beauty and romance. Mid-day, it is the hub of excitement, activity, and fun. By nature, a beautiful scene has already been set for you. There is no need for many decorations! Are you planning an intimate wedding with just a few guests? Let the beach help you set the stage for your romantic wedding ideas with a dawn or dusk seaside ceremony. The sunrise or sunset will provide a spectacular background for your wedding photos.

On the other hand, if you want to “tell the world” and have a large gathering of people, consider a mid-summer day “beach-side bash” or fantasy beach wedding that includes your guests. That’s the fun part of a beach wedding - your guests can participate. Everyone has fun!

Here are a few ideas to get you started…

* Be Cinderella with your Prince Charming. Have him place the “glass slipper” that fits on your foot as a symbol of your perfect union. You could hire a professional sand sculptor to build a beautiful sand castle as a background for your fairytale theme. Leave in a horse drawn carriage.

* Have a Pirate Wedding. Rent costumes and decorate with treasure chests fake gold coins and jewelry. Have a real treasure hunt. When you leave, sail off into the sunset.

* How about an “I Dream of Jeannie” beach wedding theme? Decorate with pretty, colorful bottles in the sand like the one she was found in. At the end of the day, disappear in a cloud of smoke!

* A Western beach wedding theme would be fun! Many beaches allow horseback riding. The reception could be a good old fashioned fireside “camp out” under the stars. Leave on horseback.

* Have a Rainbow Wedding. Create a rainbow to wed under out of brightly colored helium filled balloons tied together. Hold them down with the “pots of gold” at each end. Have everyone bring a colored umbrella to decorate the aisle with. Great back plan up in case it rains!

* Butterfly weddings are popular. Shades of yellow and orange with butterflies woven amongst the flowers in your tiara and bouquet would be beautiful. Use butterflies as boutonnieres for the guys.

* A Surfing theme would be neat. Of course surf boards and “The Beach Boys” come to mind here!

By the way…

Don’t rule out you beach wedding ideas because you don’t live near an ocean. The definition of a “beach” is - “the shore of a body of water, especially if sandy or pebbly”. That includes lakes and rivers. For that matter, you may have a “beach” right by your swimming pool. There are no rules. Be creative!

It is your beach wedding…it can be anything you want it to be - wherever you want it to be! Most of all…have fun!

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Cindy English is the publisher of:
http://www.Beach-Wedding-Themes.com
Beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance!

http://www.All-Florida-Beach-Weddings.com
Plan your wedding celebration in Paradise!

Copyright 2005 by Cindy English

By: Cindy English

Looking for ideas for a beach theme wedding cake?

When it comes to wedding cakes, long gone are the days of following tradition. Since you are considering a beach theme wedding cake, you are obviously not a slave to those traditions. So…let’s stray from the “norm” and be
adventurous!

One thing to remember…there are no rules! If there are…well, rules are made to be broken. Your beach theme wedding cake can be anything you want it to be!

What Size?

How many guests are you planning to have? If you have your cake made professionally it can range in price anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00 per slice. A “slice” is normally considered to be 2 ounces or, approximately 4″ x 2″. The range in price will depend on how much intricate detail you want on it. If the cake you choose is very labor intensive, you can expect higher prices. If you are on a tight budget, keep it simple!

What Shape?

A beach theme wedding cake can be any size, shape or description. Be creative. If you have an idea for your cake, sketch it out on paper and take it to that talented friend, relative or your chosen bakery. If you can imagine it, someone can make it!

Do not limit your thinking to a two or three tier cake. It can be round, square, a sheet cake, a sculpted cake, individual mini cakes, cupcakes or even cookies! Some brides even choose a one or two layer, individual wedding cake on each guest table rather than the traditional large cake at the head table. This is a nice idea because it also serves as the table centerpiece. This eliminates the added expense associated with having a wedding centerpiece at each table!

A couple of things to keep in mind though…

* Since your reception may be on the beach, consider the sun! If you are having a dawn or dusk ceremony, heat from the sun will probably not be a major factor. However, if you are having your wedding midday, consider an “ornamental” cake. By that I mean, not edible with the exception of perhaps the bottom layer if you and the groom plan to cut it. You don’t want your creation to melt!

* Consider draping your cake in a decorative manner with tulle to keep the bugs and sand out of it. It would be beautiful yet practical.

* Purchase decorative, individual cake boxes. Fill them and perhaps tie your wedding program or thank you to them with ribbon. Keep them in a cooler until time to pass them out to your guests. They will serve as your wedding favor, killing two birds with one stone!

* Make your own beach theme wedding cake! Look inside the next “Duncan Hines” cake mix you buy. The instruction for baking tiered cakes are printed on the inside of the box! You can do it. If you can’t, I’ll bet you know a friend who could! In EVERY town there is a friend or a “friend of a friend” who makes beautiful wedding cakes. It’s a hobby for them. They love
doing it! Of course they still want to be paid, but not the ridiculous prices that a professional will charge you.
So…go… find that friend!

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Cindy English is the publisher of Beach-Wedding-Themes.com where you will find ideas for beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance. Discover new places to shop and things to make at: http://www.beach-wedding-themes.com

This article may be reprinted with no changes, omissions, or additions. All links must be left live and in tact.

By: Cindy English

Beach weddings are popular but they do present “special issues”. Failing to consider these ahead of time could leave you unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day!

There is certainly nothing that should dissuade you from your vision of a beautiful seaside ceremony. As a matter of fact, there are many benefits.

Just know the issues and plan for them. Your wedding day will be a wonderful and joyous event!

The “Pros”

* A beach wedding can be much cheaper than a traditional wedding. Who in this day and age can’t afford to save money? It is said that the average budget for a wedding these days is between $20,000 to $30,000! That is an enormous and unnecessary financial burden to be faced with!

Don’t start off married life enslaved by your wedding day debts. If you have that kind of money to spend, fine, but if not, don’t go there! Be practical and remember, the day is what you, your loved ones and your friends make of it…not how much you spent on it!

* A beach wedding can be a casual affair. It allows everyone to relax. Your guests can dress comfortably and affordably. Often brides-to-be are unaware of the financial strain they place on their wedding attendants and guests. Not everyone can afford to buy that wedding outfit.

* The wedding ceremony and reception can all be held right there on the beach. No need to travel to different locations. This is very convenient for everyone. Hey, even the kids can have fun at a beach wedding!

* A beach wedding allows you to involve everyone in the activities. Guests are not restricted to sitting quietly in their seats. They can actually be a part of the celebration!

* Beach weddings don’t always require a permit. If you are having a small ceremony and do not require a section of the beach to be blocked off…just do it! Simple yet lovely!

* A beach wedding is a modern and refreshing change from the “stodgy” traditional wedding. It allows your creativity and personality to shine through.

* There is no “right” or “wrong way” to plan a beach front wedding. It can be large, small, romantic, whimsical or even downright goofy! You can pay big bucks and hire everything out, or, you can be cheap and make everything yourself. The choice is completely yours!

The “Cons”

* The most important thing to remember when planning a beach wedding is that “Mother Nature” rules! Depending on her mood, she can brighten your day or rain on your parade! When planning your celebration, be sure to plan an “alternate location” should the old girl be cranky that day!

* The beach is usually a bit breezy so take that into consideration when picking your location. Try to choose a “cove” on the beach that is protected from direct winds.

* Be sure to check with local authorities regarding any permits needed to use the beach. This should only be necessary if you are having a large gathering and you want to block off a portion of the beach exclusively for you and your guests. Ask to be sure though.

* Check on the “Beach Rules”. Ask questions. Can you have candles on the beach? Can you play music into the night? How late can you stay? Is there an area nearby for open fires should you choose to barbeque?

* Speaking of food…don’t forget about the seagulls! They are notorious beggars and thieves. You can expect them to attend your beach wedding, uninvited! As long as you keep food covered and don’t feed them, they will stay on the sidelines.

* Remember the tides. You definitely do not want to be surprised by the quick and unanticipated arrival of high tide!

* On the beach, there will be bugs and sunshine! Make sure you consider the comfort of your guests. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant for those who did not remember to bring their own.

* Chairs may sink in the sand if you do not rent flooring to place under them. However, if you are planning a “beach blanket” reception, you will not need chairs. Remember your elderly guests though. Plan for their safety and comfort. You will need to provide them with chairs and beach umbrellas to protect them from the elements.

Beach weddings are absolutely beautiful but nature does provide an element of uncertainty. Careful planning on your part will eliminate most of them. Just remember…

If every hair is not in place due to the ocean breezes or a seagull drops off his “wedding gift” a little to close to the punch bowl…

These are not flaws or imperfections in your day. They are “memories”! Cherish them and have fun!

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Cindy English is the publisher of Beach-Wedding-Themes.com where you will find ideas for beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance. Discover new places to shop and things to make at: http://www.beach-wedding-themes.com email: beachwed@beach-wedding-themes.com

By: Ester Napoli

Do you envision your wedding in a tropical paradise? Perhaps you see yourself exchanging vows on the warm sand beside an aquamarine sea or sailing off into the sunset with ten of your dearest friends to enjoy a wedding feast and the spectacular scenery. If such a scenario appeals to you, a Bahamas wedding can make your dream come true.

In order to be eligible for a legal Bahamas wedding, you and your partner must spend one day in the Bahamas before submitting an application for a marriage license ($100). You must provide a photo ID. If you are widowed, you are required to provide the death certificate of your spouse; if you are divorced, you must provide a document proving that you are legally divorced. You will also need to have proof of your arrival date in the Bahamas (your Bahamas Embarkation Card will do). It is recommended that you obtain a copy of your wedding certificate before you leave the Bahamas. It can be mailed to you if time is an issue but delays and complications have been frequently encountered. Once you arrive home, you will need this marriage certificate in order to obtain other legal documents.

Wedding packages are offered at most hotels and resorts in the Bahamas. Prices vary. Here are a few examples:

The Bluff House Beach Hotel located in Green Turtle Bay, Abaco, Bahamas, offers a wedding package that includes: a wedding coordinator, a wedding cake, a minister or administrator to perform the ceremony, a photographer, the brides bouquet and a bottle of champagne. They will also be happy to arrange for a live band and a buffet.

Small Hope Bay Lodge located in Andros Island, Bahamas, is a smaller resort consisting of 20 cottages, one of which is a honeymoon cottage. It offers a simple wedding package for $500 which includes all the necessary paper work, a cake and champagne, a video and photos. At this resort you can get married on the beach or even underwater!

Bahamas Wedding Paradise is an organization that offers several wedding packages. You can select one of their packages or design your own. Packages range in price from $360 to over $3000 (please note that Bahamas Wedding Paradise is not a hotel or a resort).

Make the wedding of your dreams a reality and start your married life in the tropical paradise of the Bahamas.

About the author:
Ester Napoli: They say if you want to be happy, you have to do something you are passionate about. One of my passions is traveling and the one place I fell in love with was the Bahamas; the white sand, clear waters, friendly environment. It is paradise on earth. I enjoy all aspects of the Bahamas; the culture, the history, the countless sports and activities to keep you busy, and of course, the fabulous weather. Website: Glorious Bahamas Real Estate (www.gloriousbahamas.com).

By: Tom Tsatsos

The wedding cake is one of the most important features of your reception. In fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. If you plan on having your reception catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake. However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also buy cakes from commercial and boutique bakeries, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.

Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If they are available, make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require that you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes.

Since most weddings are on the weekends, baker’s deadlines also coincide with that timetable. A phone call to make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake will be appreciated. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that time.

Ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc., during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake. The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat.

Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:

Flexibility-Will they bake a cake according to your specifications?
Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix?
Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes.
Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season.
What is the price per serving? Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the “per serving” price will be.
What are the extra charges? Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
Who will be setting up the cake?
What do they provide in the set-up? Talk to your baker about how you’d like the cake table to be set up.
If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist?

When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate. Click here to see how you can save money on your wedding cake.

After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:

• Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
• The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
• Type of frosting.
• Wedding date, time and location of delivery
• When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered (or picked up). Make sure to include the complete address where the cake is to be delivered.
• Name and contact information of the baker
• List of rented items (pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.)
• Delivery and set-up fees
• Total price
• Deposit amount
• Balance and due date
• Baker’s cancellation and/or refund policy

If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and don’t spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.