Bridal Gathering

The wedding cake is something most brides want to be proud of at her reception. They can be elaborate or simple and created in a variety of options. The wedding cake is the centerpiece of most wedding receptions. And because of its prominence, most brides want it to be perfect as well. But what makes a wedding cake a great wedding cake? First, a bride has to decide whether she wants a cake that's just a lovely decoration or whether it will be dessert as well. Once you decide, you need to convey your wishes to the baker who will make your vision a reality. Settle on a budget and write it down. One bride said her cake cost more than her wedding gown. You don't have to go that far but you do need to have an idea of what you're willing to spend. When you do sit down and meet with your baker, be prepared to tell her the colors and style of your wedding. Be specific and if possible bring fabric samples to help her get the colors just right. Flavor, shape and icing are all choices you must check into. Traditional choices are white cake, lemon, yellow, marble, chocolate, carrot and cheesecake. Decide if you want to use one flavor in all the tiers of your cake or do you want separate flavors for each one. Bakers today can create cakes in many shapes. They can be heart-shaped, circular, or square, flat, stacked or tiered. Cake tables can be arranged with tiers connected with leis or other decorations. Designs such as basket weave, latticework or dotted Swiss are also options that are usually available. Frosting options range from butter cream to royal icing. Ask for your baker's recommendations before picking one.

The trend today is toward cakes that can pass the guests' taste test. Before making her decision, a bride should ask for samples of the cakes that are available to be sure she isn't disappointed on her big day.

Our professional suggests you buy birthday cakes from the same baker ahead of time to get a better idea of the overall quality of the product they offer.

Today's bakers can also do wonders with fresh flowers. Most have albums of cakes they have created for other clients that they will be happy to show you.