Questions for the Cake Maker

Here are our top TEN questions to ask potential cake makers to guarantee you get your dream wedding cake.

The wedding cake no longer has to fall under the traditional, bland tasting requirements of fruit cake and buttercream frosting. You are now free to choose or design a cake that you think is going to best capture your tastes, style and creativity...without disapproving looks from your grandmas and great aunties.

The ideas are endless, which means you want to make sure you and your cake maker are on the same page.

When meeting with potential cake designers and bakers, consider asking all or some of these questions to ensure you have the wedding dessert you envision...

1.    Do you design and create cakes to order? *If you are happy to choose from an existing menu of cake designs, then you should be all set; but if you have an idea that you'd like to tie in with your wedding theme and style, check first to see if they are willing to think outside the square. Make sure you bring photos, drawings, swatches (of bridesmaids dresses or table runner fabric) and anything else to stimulate ideas. 

2.   What type of cakes can you make? * Can they make one tier of mudcake and another carrot? Find out what types of fillings they are willing to make and whether they are open to mixing and matching. Also find out what sort of frostings they have or can make.

3.    Can you work to a certain shape or design? * If you are not your average bride and groom and want something a bit different - say a cake shaped like a seashell to fit in with your beach theme, or one shaped like a guitar if you are both musicians - find out if they are open to this alternative design.

4.   Are you open to working with embellishments? * If you'd like to decorate your cake with flowers, ask if they are willing to work with your florist on the day. Alternatively, they may offer to source the flowers for the cake and decorate it themselves. If this is the case, be very specific about the types of blooms you'd like on the cake. Alternatively, if you have any ideas about trimmings, make this clear from the start. My husband and I were keen to have Ferrero Rocher on our cake...we discussed it with the designer, who then factored this in to the design. The week before the wedding, we dropped off boxes of the chocolates, which he used to decorate a deliciously gorgeous cake! 

5.    Do you consider special dietary requirements/ingredients? * If you are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free etc, make this clear from the first meeting with the cake maker.

6.   Do you create other desserts besides cakes? * Maybe a traditional cake is not your thing! Find out if they will create something else, such as cupcakes, individual pavlovas, towers of ladyfingers etc. 

7.    Do you arrange for the cake to be transported to the venue? * We strongly suggest you do NOT assume the responsibility of getting the cake from here to there.

8.   When will the cake be made - how far in advance? * It is very possible that the baker is making more than just your cake for that day or weekend. Find out how far in advance the cake will be made and how it will stored.

9.   What are your prices? Do you provide any extras? * Once you've worked out what you'd like, find out how much the cake is going to cost and agree to that price. You will probably be asked to pay a deposit, so request a copy of the invoice as well as a contract to ensure you are confirmed in their books. Also find out if any extras are included in the price, such as a cake stand or table, cake knife, delivery etc.

10.          Who will actually be making the cake? * Find out if the person you speak to will actually be making the cake themselves, or whether the job will be designated to another member/s of the team. If it is going to be in the hands of someone else, ask if you can meet them to make sure your vision is properly communicated.