Everything You Need To Know About Choosing Your Wedding Cake
So, you’ve set the date, chosen the perfect wedding venue and you’ve finally found your dream wedding dress. The next most important elements are also chosen: your favourite photographer, florist and hair and makeup. You are now looking to pick the perfect final touches for your wedding day including the wedding cake.
Did you know your wedding cake is a symbol of your love and commitment at the cutting stage? It is the first thing you will do as a married couple and is a ceremony in itself of your commitment together.
The cake is an important part of your wedding day and needs to taste delicious, look amazing and be part of the overall aesthetic of the day.
A mouth-watering masterpiece, your wedding cake can easily be a focal point of your wedding reception. It can help tie your colour scheme, theme or style together and of course, you want it to look and taste incredible for your wedding guests.
If you’re feeling a little clueless about where to start with cake, don’t fret. I have put together a handy guide, packed full of delicious details so that you have everything you need to know about choosing your wedding cake. Let’s get started…
Choosing the perfect flavour and design:
Our journey starts with discussing over email or Zoom the initial enquiry and then we move forwards to a cake tasting. This is your chance to try out my different flavour combinations, ask as many questions as you want and see the cake designs for yourself.
It’s also a lovely opportunity for us to get to know one another. I love nothing more than chatting about your wedding day dreams over a slice of cake or two. ( If you live further afield than my Cake studio, situated in Ringwood, Hampshire, then we can chat via Zoom so you still get the full experience ).
The experience
My clients say this is the best part of wedding planning. Ordering a cake with me is so much more than just the cake, It’s an experience. From the beginning of our journey together when we get to know one another and talk about your wedding so I have all the details. Followed by the cake tasting where you choose the flavours and design. Asking me questions and talking through all the options so I create an exceptional wedding cake in terms of taste and visuals.
All the touch points are covered and refined so you know and feel you are in the safest hands. I then work tirelessly behind the scenes chatting with your suppliers for on-the-day coordination, delivery and set up and so much more. It’s all about knowing you are in safe hands so you can enjoy the run-up to your big day safe in the knowledge that everything is covered and sorted with exceptional service and cake artistry at its finest.
Choosing flavours:
The flavour of your cake is just as important as its appearance. Consider your personal tastes as well as those of your guests. We will take into consideration the dessert options you will have and complement those choices with a delicious cake for your guests to devour later.
There is an extensive menu to choose from and also caters for flavour requests not found on my menu, plus, gluten-free options are available as well as vegan cakes.
My menu has been curated over the years and is exceptional. Your wedding cake should have flavours that will keep your guests talking about it long after the big day. Flavours should also complement the seasons and my cake menu has something for every season.
Things to consider and discuss together:
How many guests are attending? This helps me decide how many tiers you will need. Your colour scheme is important to me as the design element of the cake itself. Any colour swatches or images will help immensely. A list of your flowers and colours helps me to provide delicate sugar flowers ( if required in the design ) with the correct colours and flow of design your florist has in mind.
Is the venue space large or small where you will display your cake? We need to take this into consideration so that the cake does not get swallowed up but stands proud and compliments its setting.
When will you be cutting the cake? The general rule is to cut the cake just as your evening guests arrive but more couples are now using the cake as dessert. This helps me understand portion size as dessert sizes are generally bigger than finger portions.
Just a few elements to take into consideration. With all this information I will design a cake that compliments both your personality and style without any fuss or faff. I take all the hard work out of it so you can enjoy every element.
I will take all of this into account as well as your thoughts, style and personality when designing your cake. Thinking about the space and the size of your cake in proportion to the venue. There is so much to think about above and beyond the cake itself but I take care of all that for you!
The size of the cake matters:
Generally, a three-tier cake will serve between 60 – 100 guests, while a 5-tier cake is a perfect choice if you’re having a larger wedding consisting of over 200 guests.
A tall wedding cake with many tiers will look simply spectacular, particularly if you are going to display it in a grand room such as an Orangery or Ballroom.
You’ll also be able to decide whether you would like delicately handcrafted sugar flowers created in-house by me or fresh flowers provided by your florist. Simple style cakes or more intricate designs, – one of the trickiest decisions when it comes to choosing your wedding cake but let my gallery help ease the stress of choosing.
Your Style:
The style of your wedding cake needs to complement the style of your wedding, which is a huge task in itself. Are you having a particular colour scheme or wedding theme?
If you’re having a luxurious black-tie affair, you want a wedding cake to complement this look. Your cake should fit in flawlessly with your venue, the season, your floral styling and even your aisle style. For instance, if you have a subtle blush pink hue to your gown, why not incorporate blush pink bows into your wedding cake? Often, elements of your wedding day can inspire your cake. From the lace of your dress to a particular bloom in your bouquet.
The style of your wedding will help with the decoration element of the cake. Do you want it to be elaborate and extravagant? Or would you prefer something elegant and understated? There are so many gorgeous ways to decorate your wedding cake, including fresh flowers, fruits, handmade sugar flowers, texture, tone and theme.
Possibilities are endless with cake and I have so many options for you. A stand-alone cake, to a dessert table full of delicious treats and a cake as the centrepiece to a trio of cakes that ooze style and grace. I am here to help with choosing, guiding and even choosing for you.
When To Book with HECD:
Once you are happy with your initial enquiry I would suggest booking the date with a booking fee ( this does get taken off the final payment amount). This way you are secure in the knowledge that you are in my diary! the summer season gets booked up really fast so I would suggest at least 12 months ahead or more, but always get in touch if you’ve left it later as you may be lucky and it the date could be available ( it was meant to be. Peak dates are generally April- September. So enquire today to see if I am free and start your wedding cake journey with me.
Displaying your cake:
Displaying your cake is just as important to me. ‘Nobody puts cake in the corner’ when I am around.
It’s an artistic piece of your day where, as a couple you come together to cut the cake. the first thing you will do together as a husband & wife. So let’s make a statement using the venue backdrop, cake stand, candles, floral arrangements, divine fabrics and so much more. So get in touch to find out more about how Hayley Elizabeth Cake Design can create a beautiful cake statement for your big day.
I’d love to hear from you and start our curated experience together. I adore working with stylish couples who want a design-led wedding cake with a luxurious finish. I offer a personalised service for your wedding cake experience, with the aim to create a wedding cake that will impress both you and your guests with artistic flair, mouth-watering flavours and exceptional service from start to finish.
