Ten Questions to Ask the Cake Baker

Before you settle on what will undoubtedly be the tastiest part of your wedding day, there are a few things you need to settle with the cake baker. As you’re attempting to narrow down the list of potential cake bakers, here are ten simple questions to ask now to save yourself a headache later.

How much will it cost? This seems like an obvious question, but there can be a slew of answers. Most wedding cake bakers charge per slice, but that price can vary greatly by a number of factors such as flavor, fillings, layers, and frosting type.

What are my flavor options? Many brides like to buck the tradition of serving plain old white cake and instead opt for unique flavors and fillings. Be straightforward with the cake baker upfront about what flavor options are available to you. This includes actual cake flavor, optional fillings, and frosting flavors and types.

What are the style options? The experience of your baker will determined the styles and designs available to you. A seasoned cake baker should be able to create a custom cake based solely on your ideas and preferences, but many bakers require that their brides choose from a predetermined set of cake styles. Be sure to ask ahead of time what your cake design options are so you aren’t disappointed when your dream cake can’t be made into a reality.

What are some cost-saving tips? If you’re working within the confines of a tight budget, there may be some easy ways to save funds on your wedding cake without sacrificing taste or quality. Fondant is often much more expensive than buttercream, and less tasty too. Many times, a cake baker will be willing to prepare a small lavish wedding cake to display, with cheaper sheet cakes available in the kitchen to cut and serve to guests. Ask about the various options available to you when it comes to cutting costs.

Can I see your portfolio? Experienced cake bakers should have a comprehensive portfolio of their previous work for you to peruse. Whatever you do, don’t just take a baker’s word for it when it comes to previous experience. Ask to see photos so you can judge for yourself the quality of his/her work.

Do you have references? Don’t be afraid to ask a cake baker for references of previous clients to contact. Discussing a baker’s work with another bride can be invaluable when it comes to making your decision, offering you insight on cake taste, delivery details, and overall execution.

Can I schedule a cake tasting? Sure, you want your wedding cake to be pretty, but you also want it to taste good. Set up a tasting with your baker to sample various flavors, fillings, and frostings to help you determine the best combination for your wedding day.

When will my cake be baked? The more elaborate and large your wedding cake is, the earlier it will need to be baked to give the baker plenty of time to decorate it. Most wedding cakes are prepared a couple days before the nuptials, but ask ahead of time just to be sure. Obviously, the more recently a cake has been baked, the fresher it will taste.

What is your delivery policy? Most cake bakers will offer delivery services, sometimes for an additional fee, but be sure you’re on the same page with your baker ahead of time. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day is picking up and assembling a multi-tiered wedding cake. When it comes to your wedding cake, the extra delivery fee is almost always worth it as it ensures that the cake will be delivered, assembled, and touched up by a trained professional before the reception begins.

Is there a cake-cutting fee? Some bakers are happy to cut and serve cake to your guests, but it often comes with an additional fee. If you’d like your baker to do the honor of serving your cake, ask about what they charge and if it’s a one-time fee or a price per slice as this can greatly increase the overall cost.