Piece of Cake! A Recipe for Success
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The wedding cake has continued to top itself over the years. While many engaged couples still favor the traditional white tiers, others are hungry for something different. Those of you looking to break the mold won’t be disappointed. Wedding cakes now come in all shapes, sizes, colors, flavors and designs.
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Wondering where to begin? Help yourself to a slice of our advice! We’ve sampled the best of what’s out there and we’re happy to serve you.
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Basic Ingredients: Topics/Techniques for You and Your Baker
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Sweet Talk:
Learn the lingo! Impress your baker with your extensive knowledge of icings, fillings, decorations and techniques. The more you know, the more control you have.
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Consider Climate:
Will the reception take place inside or outside? Certain ingredients (whipped cream for example) won’t work in the great outdoors.
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Just Desserts:
What will the menu be like? You might not want to follow a heavy meal with a rich dessert. Will there be additional “sweet treats” or an entire dessert table?
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Dietary Detours:
Are there any food allergies or personal preferences to consider?
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Size Matters:
How many guests will you have? Although the wedding cake is the main attraction at your reception, it doesn’t have to feed everyone. For weddings with a large number of guests, an additional “back-up” sheet cake can be a great cost-cutter.
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Flower Power:
Fresh flowers are blooming with popularity! Communication is key. Be specific about your intentions and clarify responsibilities. Will the baker supply fresh flowers or should you coordinate with your florist? Ask your baker and florist which flowers will work best for your needs. Also make sure they aren’t sprayed with pesticides.
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Picture Perfect:
Look through bridal magazines, catalogs… even friends’ photo albums for guidance. When you discuss likes and dislikes with your baker, follow up with photo examples.
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A Baker’s Dozen Do’s and Don’ts, Satisfaction Guaranteed!
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Don’t make it your first priority.
The cake should be one of your last decisions. Establish the tone through your choice of menu, fashion, music and venue, then focus on the cake.
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Do ask around.
References are ideal. Ask friends, family and co-workers for recommendations based on taste, budget and quality of service.
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Don’t make it a family affair.
Baking and handling the cake is an enormous responsibility. Unless you know an experienced cake maker/decorator, leave it to a professional.
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Do be different!
Choose from all shapes, sizes and varieties. Express yourself with a tiered display of cupcakes or miniature apple pies. Or make your wedding cake your favorite cake… have a cheesecake, a carrot cake, or an ice cream cake (weather permitting).
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Do taste test.
Don’t even think about choosing a baker or selecting a cake without sampling his/her work.
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Do show your personality through your cake topper.
Remember when choosing a blonde or brunette couple was the only way to personalize your cake topper? You can easily “top” that, with anything from cartoon characters to teddy bears to a bride and groom on roller blades. If you can dream it, they can create it.
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Do incorporate your wedding theme and colors.
Are you tickled pink? Order a cake to match. Wedding-on-the-water? Incorporate the nautical theme. You can also give the baker a snapshot or piece of fabric from your dress and ask that he/she work it into the cake’s design.
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Do honor your heritage.
Acknowledge your roots, for example you could honor French tradition with a croquembouche cake or celebrate Italian-style with a tiered white cake and knotted cookies.
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Do pay homage to your parents and grandparents.
There are lots of creative ways to honor family members. Replicate your parent’s wedding cake or your grandparents’ cake-topper. Or surround your cake with photos of your parents cutting their cake.
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Do give cake as a favor.
Send them packing with a little piece of heaven. Tradition says that a piece of the bride’s cake under an unmarried woman’s pillow will “lead to dreams of a future spouse”.
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Do have a groom’s cake.
This light-hearted Southern tradition may be served as an alternative to the bridal cake or at the rehearsal dinner.
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Don’t wait a year to celebrate your anniversary.
This is the perfect example of a tradition gone stale. Return to your baker in another year and ask him to make a small replica suitable for an intimate celebration.
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