A Recipe to Finding Your Baker
The cake is a key ingredient of your wedding. Your caterer can probably make the cake for you, but many couples hire independent cake designers or bakers to create a confectionary delight.
Work out the logistics.
You should know the date of your wedding and the approximate number of people you plan on inviting before you begin looking for a baker. Also, check with your venue. Some places require that you use an internal baker, and others may charge a fee for using an outside source to create the cake.
Diet cake?
Keep in mind any dietary restrictions or special requests you and your guests might have. Many bakers can create Kosher, organic, and vegan cakes.
Think about the type of cake you might want. Look at pictures in cake decorating books and cookbooks. You will also want to decide if you would like a groom’s cake, and if you would like to serve other desserts in addition to a cake.
Work out a budget.
“Bakers price their cakes based on how elaborate and time consuming the decorative details are,” says Cecile Gady, owner of Cakework in San Francisco, California. After talking with several bakers, you should have an idea of what cakes cost where you live and who you can and cannot afford. Cakes are usually priced by slice, costing anywhere from a few dollars per piece to upwards of twenty dollars a slice.
Look for ways to save. Once you’ve chosen your favorite design, ask your baker if there are ways to cut costs to make the cake more affordable. “I would recommend buying cakes from a good bakery, and ordering decorations online,” says Sarah Magid, owner of Sarah Magid Custom Organic Cakes in Brooklyn, New York. “They have sugar flowers, butterflies, silver dragees, and other decorations that you can place simply on the cakes that will make them look simple yet elegant.”
Find out if there is a cake cutting fee. Caterers and venues sometimes charge extra to cut and serve the cake.
The interview process.
Get advice. Ask friends who have recently married as well as caterers, florists, and other vendors for baker recommendations. You will want to speak to several bakers before selecting a person to design your cake.
“When you work with a baker on a cake, you should get a good feeling about the designs they are coming up with, and the way they communicate with you,” says Sarah Magid. If the baker does not seem responsive to your ideas or suggestions, look elsewhere.
Ask questions! Find out as much as you can about potential bakers. Some questions to keep in mind: How many people will work together to create my cake?, and Can you create a unique cake for me or do you work from a list of set designs?
Arrange for tastings with your favorite candidates. "A bride should come to a tasting with a totally open mind and no preconceived notions," Cecile Gady, adds. You might just surprise yourself by falling in love with an unusual design or recipe!
On the dotted line.
Work out a contract. This document should include the total cost of the cake, the deposit required, the delivery fee, a description of the cake, any equipment you will be renting, and any cancellation fees.
And that’s it! Before you know it, you’ll be cutting that cake!