8 ways to improve your wedding cake experience

No one readily admits it, but an elegantly crafted wedding cake can fiercely compete for glory with the newlyweds. A wedding cake acts as a superb conversation starter at cocktails, and it is an important focal point. Its presence on the table should help brighten the entire room. To ensure a pleasing outcome with long-lasting memories of that special day, consider incorporating these wedding cake tips and tricks.

WEATHER PROOF IT! CONSIDER THE SEASON AND TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE

An outdoor wedding reception sounds idyllic, but, as many newlyweds discover, this can quickly turn into a hot mess. Wedding cakes must be designed for the outdoors, despite a bride’s insistence on midsummer buttercream frosting. A practical solution for a tiered confection is fondant. It’s gelatinous, putty-like covering will often survive an outdoor cake event.

ORDER EARLY! BOUTIQUE CAKE SHOPS BOOK FAST

Getting a custom-designed wedding cake with all its trappings requires giving ample notice. Order your cake at least six to eight months before the wedding. The number of servings is very important to the general style of the cake. When you speak with the cake designer, discuss the guest list to determine the size and number of tiers required.

FAKE IT! GO FOR STYROFOAM TIERS FOR HEIGHT AND ELEGANCE

One trend catching on for its elegance and cost savings is styrofoam tiers. A styrofoam wedding cake uses real icing and fondant. It can be just as elaborately decorated as any real cake, but the inner structure of its bottom layers might not be edible. With the cost of wedding cakes nowadays, this option allows budget-conscious couples to have the cake of their dreams at a fraction of the cost. Talk to a baker and compare the cost difference to see if this idea makes sense.

COLLABORATE WITH THE FLORIST FOR DECORATIVE CAKE HIGHLIGHTS

The design of the cake should match the style and feel of the wedding. To add a touch of customization and ensure stylistic consistency, collaborate with the florist. Discuss how the cake can stand out as a centerpiece, having a similar yet contrasting theme to intensify the ambiance and create a spectacular aesthetic. Check out our post in the Cake edition of Coat Tales that shows our favorite styled shoots’ cake and tux pairings for some examples of how well this works.

BE INSPIRED—USE DIFFERENT FLAVORS FOR EACH DECADENT TIER

At consultation with the cake designer, discuss the vision that should be represented at the wedding reception. Cake designers are the experts. If couples want 10 flavors of cake, they can have it, but this might not be practical. Experts often suggest limiting flavors to four and alternating them for cakes with many tiers.

PERFECT DELIVERY—TIMELY AND ATTRACTIVE CAKE

On the day of the wedding, the cake should be ready for delivery with only the last-minute application of pre-made decorations left for finishing touches. Arrange for delivery of the cake two to three hours before the wedding event starts. If a wedding planner or florist is involved, the delivery details must be organized three to four weeks before the event.

AVOID FREEZER BURN BY SAVING THE TOP TIER FOR YOUR ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY

As tradition goes, newlyweds are supposed to preserve the top tier of the wedding cake until their first wedding anniversary. However, freezer burn usually sets in by then. Solution: after cutting the cake, save the top tier. Instead of eating it on your one-year anniversary, celebrate a one-month anniversary with the previously cut cake. If tradition must be honored, ask the baker to recommended methods of preserving the texture, or reserve a single slice.

SHOWCASE A DESIGNER CAKE AT YOUR RECEPTION, AND ORGANIZE SHEET CAKES IN THE BACK FOR SERVING GUESTS

Whether it’s made of Styrofoam or not, exquisitely layered wedding cakes are primarily designed as a showpiece for this once-in-a-lifetime event. On the other hand, sheet cakes, though less than elaborate, are the real deal. They can be hidden away to actually feed your guests. Plan the appropriate number and size of the sheet cakes according to your guest list.