Explore more options for your wedding cake choice. We cover the logistics of assembling a large cake on site, as well as some options with a fake cake which is more common than most people realize.
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If you have chosen to have a traditional wedding cake, there are some basic construction options that would be good to communicate to your baker. You have a choice of a round, square cake or sculptured cake. Round and square cakes can have more than one tier, but the size will depends upon the size of your wedding. The more guests you have on your guest list, the more cake you will need, the more tiers you will need, the more your cake will cost.
A sculptured cake is not that common at weddings, but would be a cake in the shape of an object—like a wedding bell for example, or even a large rectangular cake decorated with a 3D picture—like a picture of your honeymoon destination. If you want something unique, bring your idea to your baker with as many pictures as you can to help describe what it is you want.
If you are very traditional, you might want your wedding cake to be decorated white-on-white to compliment your wedding gown. If you want a more modern take on your wedding cake, you can incorporate any colours, and use ribbon, flowers or fruit.
Very large cakes are put together at the site, and final decorations done on site. This will, of course, cost more than a cake that is brought in one piece and set up on your cake table—and, you will have to allot time for the baker to assemble the cake on site.
If you have a smaller wedding, and don’t need many tiers, but still want some height on your cake, consider using a tiered cake plate. There are many types, and a wedding baker will have options for you to choose from.
This is a good place to talk about another cake option—the fake cake. Fake cakes are basically decorated cardboard or foam-core forms, and you can rent these for the fraction of the cost of fully decorated cake. The benefit is that you can have elaborate designs without the worry of how it will hold up or how you will cut the cake later. You can still have your dessert cake in the kitchen, cut and served to your guests. The overall cost of using a fake cake on display, and serving your dessert cake to your guests is worthwhile option to explore if your budget is being stretched. The only difference between having a real cake and a fake cake, is that you won’t actually cut the fake cake, but you can still have pictures taken with the cake, mimicking the cake cutting.
Many bakers have a large variety of fake cakes for you to choose from, and it is an option used by many couples.
Whatever you decide, remember your baker is the professional in this field, and can advise you. Ask their opinion. Share your vision with them. And always talk to at least three bakers and get quotes before you make a final decision.