Groom's are much more enlightened now days but we sometimes still feel like arm candy and often times like an accessory. I don't really remember much about what our wedding cake looked like as I first saw it the same time our guests did. I think it was Carrot Cake; then again it might have been German Chocolate. We might have discussed flavors but really nothing really comes to mind other than, it was tasty!, . . . I think. Grooms today are much more informed and involved than I was. Many can use words like marzipan, fondant, butter cream, ganache, piping and gum paste when describing their cake preferences - for which they earn incredible quantities of brownie and sensitivity points from their bride to be.
The cake will undoubtedly be the sweetest part of your day but perhaps not the simplest, as it no longer just a creative pile of sugar and flour. Everything from the inside out can be customized. If you over-think it, shopping for a cake can get quite complicated.
Tiered Wedding cakes are a traditional part of the reception and a slice is offered to every guest. However, many brides and grooms today choose to ignore tradition and instead offer deserts that reflect their personal preferences. Over the last ten or so years we have seen a wide variety of desserts offered in addition to (or even in place of) the cake. Options include stacked tiers of decorated cupcakes, a candy 'bar' (various candies offered buffet style), a chocolate fountain for dipping strawberries and/or bananas, fruit pies, cheesecakes and even a giant stacked patter of Voodoo doughnuts! Without going into the long and storied tradition of wedding cakes (call me if you would like more details) there are now infinite possibilities as to style, flavor and decoration.
When shopping for a cake, expect to pay between $2.00 to $18.00 per slice. Keep in mind that more complicated and extravagant equals more money! For example, Fondant is more expensive than frosting, handmade detailing is more expensive than a production cake. If you can imagine it, someone can bake it. We have seen stacked gift box cakes, a replica of a Persian palace (complete with little bittie candy sugar camels) and have even heard of a replica of Minas Tirith (the city at the conclusion of the Lord of the Rings trilogy). You might need to take out a bank loan for one of these.
At many weddings we have seen a groom’s cake, not sure of the tradition there but from my research it apparently was the Bride's gift to her Groom for, whatever reason. Think back a few years to the movie 'Steel Magnolias' (yes, I'm a 'guy' and I do watch chick flics, I often even enjoy them too) there was a scene where all of the women were having a discussion about a red and gray cake in the shape of an armadillo. That armadillo was the groom's cake Shelby was planning to give her husband-to-be. It could possibly be a form of humorous consolation. The bride gets the benefit of all of the primping, frill, lace and dress-up so she concedes to the Groom's less glamorous tendencies by providing less formal looking tasty treats in his name. We have seen footballs, football helmets, university logos, various animals and a plain sheet cake with, "I'm tweedle-dum you're tweedle-dee arn't-cha glad ya married me?" printed on it. Although the custom of a Groom's Cake is a more prevalent theme in the southern United States it seems to be making more frequent appearances farther north.
Some people save on the cost of the wedding cake when they have a close friend or relative offer to make the cake. My sister-in-law did that for her son and some 60 hours later swore she would never do that again! So if you get an offer like that be honored and very, very grateful. If you are not blessed with a creative baker in the family and have a constrained budget, believe it or not, there are actually a couple of local supermarkets that we highly recommend. They will usually cost you much less than specialized bakeries but keep in mind, they also come with fewer options.
Whether or not you decide to ask a family member, go to the local Thriftway Market or start sampling the specialty bakeries, there are things that you need to know in order to make an educated, informed and tasty decision. Following are some links for inspiration and a list of questions that you can ask the vendors that you visit.
Wedding Cake Ideas
Check list of Questions to to Ask your Cake Vendor
- How many different cake flavors do you offer?
- What kind of fillings do you offer, and how many flavors do you have? Do you make your own?
- Can we mix and match cake and filling flavors by tier for more variety?
- What are our icing options?
- Do you use any organic or fair-trade ingredients?
- Do you offer any vegan, gluten-free or sugar-free options?
- Would you prepare a favorite family recipe for our affair?
- What decorating styles do you specialize in?
- Can you bake square or oval tiers?
- Do you make cupcakes or other cake alternatives? Pies, mini cakes or other desserts?
- Can you do a cake bar with a variety of smaller wedding cakes?
- Can you make the groom's cake in addition to our wedding cake?
- Can I see a portfolio of your work?
- Do you provide a free cake tasting or take-home samples?
- What are some of the new trends you are seeing for this year?
Budget Questions
- How much do you charge per slice?
- Can we serve half-slices to cut the cost?
- Do you recommend ordering one slice per guest or can we order 10 - 15 fewer slices to account for those guests who won't eat dessert?
- Can you provide "artistic tiers" (made of foam, then decorated) to give us the look and feel of a tall cake?
- Can we order a small-tiered cake for display plus a sheet cake for serving in order to cut costs?
- What is your delivery charge?
- When do you need the deposit and final payment?
Thing You Just-Gotta-Know
- Are you available for my wedding date?
- How long have you been baking wedding cakes?
- When do you need a final head count?
- Do you deliver?
- Will you coordinate with our caterer regarding the delivery of the cake?
- Will you decorate the cake with fresh flowers on-site or is this something you'd prefer my florist to handle?
- Will our cake be frozen? How much time does it need to thaw before serving?
- Does our cake need to be kept refrigerated or in a cool spot?
- Do you provide a cake stand? If not, where can I get one?
- Do you have a good source for creative cake toppers?
- What is your cancellation policy?
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