| Serve cake to your new spouse as lovingly
as you intend to treat him or her through the years.
An architectural wonder draped in fondant or a simple
pound cake with butter cream frosting and fresh flowers—today’s
wedding cakes delight the eyes and palate and are steeped in tradition.
In medieval times, guests crumbled bits of wedding cake over the heads
of the bride and groom for good luck and fertility. Today, we throw rice
or birdseed–who wants to waste cake? A thirteenth century French
baker stacked and iced layers of wedding cake, the traditional cake we
still enjoy.
Meet with the Baker
Before meeting with your baker, prepare an outline of details about your
wedding and questions. Plan to discuss include the size of cake needed
to accommodate the guest count, cost estimates, charges for delivery and/or
set up, rental fees for cake stands, deposit and final payment requirements.
If yours will be an outdoors reception, ask about cakes that hold up best
under such conditions. Since the cake is normally the reception centerpiece,
an exception may have to be made for a summer outdoor wedding. Arrange
delivery time accordingly, as well as a safe, cool place to store the
cake until needed.
Ask the baker whether cakes are baked in advance and frozen. If you prefer
a fresh cake, confirm this with your baker beforehand. Then ask to see
photographs of the various styles of cakes.
A wedding cake should taste as wonderful as it looks, so schedule a tasting.
With so many cake flavors, you can order a cake with a different flavor
on each layer, though bakers may charge an added fee for this option.
Providing guests with flavor choices is a thoughtful gesture, particularly
for those with food allergies.
Pair the cake with any one of a wide variety of icing flavors to excite
the taste buds. Rolled fondant, as seen in many bridal magazines, is one
of the more costly and popular cake styles. Ask your baker about a less
costly fondant “look” that can be created with butter cream.
In the same way that restaurants price desserts, bakers price wedding
cakes by the slice. The cost per slice increases if your choices are more
extravagant.
Trends, tips and traditions
Consider several new cake trends for your celebration. One cake per table
gives guests a close-up cake centerpiece to admire while dining. They
can substitute as your floral arrangement to help keep costs in line.
Each centerpiece cake can be unique in flavor and design.
“His and Hers cakes” are popular at large wedding where there
may be a chocolate cake and a fruit cake, each prepared for half the guests.
The bride and groom will serve each other from “their” cake
and guests can have their choice.
Reduce cake costs for a very large wedding by having a smaller wedding
cake. A sheet cake for guests is held in the kitchen and cut at serving
time. Or, increase dessert options with an assorted dessert and fruit
bar.
Since many guests depart shortly after dinner, consider conducting the
traditional cake-cutting ritual earlier in the reception. Regardless what
some may think, “cake smashing” is disrespectful of the new
spouse and guests gathered for a dignified occasion. Serve cake to your
new spouse as lovingly as you intend to treat him or her through the years.
The top tier of the wedding cake is traditionally preserved and eaten
on the couple’s first anniversary but feel free to celebrate the
little milestones and enjoy it on your first, second or third-month anniversary.
The baker can recreate your cake top for your first year anniversary.
What a “sweet” way to celebrate!
Robbin Montero is a wedding coordinator and special
events planner in Northern California.
www.a-dreamwedding.com©2003 Robbin Montero
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~ Think Eco-Friendly