The Best Questions To Ask Your Wedding Baker and Cake Designer
As you plan your special day, there is no doubt that the wedding cake is one of the most significant aspects of your celebration. The wedding cake is not just something that is meant to be eaten; it is the centrepiece of your reception, the symbol of your love, and the ultimate dessert that your guests are looking forward to.
When it comes to choosing your wedding cake maker, it is essential to ask the right questions to ensure that you choose the perfect cake for your special day. In this blog post, we will discuss the best questions to ask your wedding cake maker to help you make your decision easier.
How to find the perfect wedding cake maker?
Before you start meeting with wedding cake makers and asking them questions, it is essential to perform your due diligence. Research potential cake designers, check out their websites, read their reviews, and ask family or friends for recommendations. Once you have shortlisted some cake makers that catch your eye, it’s time to schedule consultations with them.
Top Questions to Ask Your Wedding Cake Maker
One of the most crucial factors in choosing your wedding cake maker is their experience. Ask them how long they have been in the wedding industry, where they gained their expertise, and what they specialise in. You can also ask them what inspires their designs and if they can provide a portfolio of their past work.
It is essential to determine the costs involved in your wedding cake. Ask the cake maker if there is a minimum order requirement, what their pricing includes, and aspects such as payment method and deposits, and what their pricing includes.
You want to make sure that your wedding cake reflects your style, taste, and preferences. Discuss with your cake maker if they can create custom cake designs based on specific themes or preferences. Additionally, you should ask about what flavours and fillings they offer and if they can provide gluten-free, vegan, or other dietary choices.
It is vital to know how the cake will be delivered and set up at your reception venue. Ask if they provide delivery and set-up services, if there is an additional cost for delivery, and what the process is for transporting and setting up the cake at the venue.
It is crucial to ensure that the cake maker is available on your wedding day and that they have sufficient time to create your dream cake. Ask if they have the availability for the wedding date, how many cakes they schedule on the same day, and what their policy is for last-minute changes or cancellations.
It is essential to ensure that everything is in writing to prevent any miscommunications or misunderstandings. Ask the cake maker if they can provide a written contract outlining all the details. Additionally, ask how they prefer to communicate during the planning process and what the procedure is for making changes or additions to the cake order.
Additional tips for choosing your wedding cake makerÂ
It is important to discuss the design and flavour options with your partner, read reviews from past clients, and trust your instincts when choosing a cake maker that aligns with your vision. Remember to book consultations and start the process of finding your dream wedding cake. At the end of this post you'll find a list of essential questions to ask your cake designer to help you get started!
Bonus: What not to ask your wedding cake maker!Â
While cake designers will rarely show their frustration, there are some questions that require a more sensitive approach, and in some instances, are best avoided altogether. It's important to remember that bakers and cake designers are human too and showcase an incredible range of skill and dedication in their field.
We can't imagine that it would ever be appropriate to ask this question (and yes, it has been asked!). We would like to think that should the unthinkable happen, the majority of readers would agree that your cake would become a minor issue in the grand scheme of things. If you are concerned about what should happen in the event of unforeseen circumstances, perhaps the more delicate question of "Do you have any contingency procedures in place should you be unable to deliver the cake?" would be more appropriate.
Let's debunk the myth here that fake cake tiers are cheaper than real cake tiers. More often than not, they are not. While there is a reduction in the amount of ingredients required, the cost of faux dummy tiers is often as much as the ingredients themselves, and take the same time (if not longer) to decorate. Please bear this in mind when discussing designs with your cake maker.Â
If you have followed our suggestions above, you will already be aware of the pricing options available and these will be clearly explained in your consultations. Pricing does vary, but it is important to remember that costs are calculated on a variety of factors and, most importantly, on the skill and expertise of your cake designer. Responsible for creating your perfect wedding cake, the role of wedding cake maker is a highly important and time-consuming one, one that requires an immense level of skill and comes with a large amount of responsibility. Therefore, please respect their time and pricing structure.
Be A Star Client
Would you like to go the extra mile and be your cake designer's star client? Then be considerate of their time and ask suitable and thoughtful questions. How can you make the design process easier? Ask questions like "What else do you need from us" and ensure you adhere to any timescales or agreements made during the booking process.
In conclusion, asking the right questions when selecting your wedding cake maker is crucial. By doing your research, scheduling consultations, and asking the best questions, you can ensure that your wedding cake will be a memorable and sweet addition to your special day. Below you'll find a list of questions grouped into our six key areas to help you feel ready and prepared to find your dream wedding cake designer!
Must-know questions to ask your wedding cake designer
Experience and Inspiration
How long have you been in business?
Why did you choose to become a wedding cake baker?
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Do you specialise in any particular design methods or styles?Â
Is it possible to see your design portfolio?Â
Are You a Registered/Licenced Food Business With a Food Hygiene Safety Rating?
Pricing and Payment
How do you price your wedding cakes? Â
Is there a minimum order requirement?
Do you offer wedding cake packages?Â
Are there any additional charges? For example, cake stands and separatorsÂ
What options would you suggest for our budget?
What is your preferred payment method?Â
Do we need to pay a deposit at time of booking?
Cake Design and Options
What does your cake design process look like?
Can you create custom cake designs based on specific themes?
What flavours and fillings do you offer?
Do you offer wedding cake tasting samples or packages? Is there an additional charge for this?
What size cake would you advise for our guest count?
Do you work with buttercream or fondant?
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Delivery and Set-up
What is the delivery process on our wedding day?
Do you include delivery and set-up at the venue or is this an additional cost?
How do you transport the cake?
Timing and Availability
What is your current availability - are you available on the [insert your wedding date]?Â
How many cakes do you schedule per day?Â
How far in advance will you prepare our wedding cake?
What date do we need to have our order and design finalised by?
Contract and Communication
What do you need from us in order to proceed?
Will you provide a written contract outlining all the details and terms?
Are we able to make any changes to the design once it has been confirmed?
What is your refund policy should we need to cancel our order?Â
How do you prefer to communicate - via telephone, email etc?Â