A History Lesson : The Wedding Cake, Part Two

My experience with picking out a wedding cake felt rather fast. When we were planning our own wedding and decided we wanted cupcakes, we scheduled a tasting at one cupcake shop and ordered our cupcakes as we were tasting them. There was no comparing with another shop, nor was their much consultation between my husband and I. To the tasting, I brought along my hubby-to-be (of course), my maid of honor and my mom to help us decide but because of a very rushed tasting (and not-to-mention uncomfortable - stools and not much of a table - really? passing a plate between our laps wasn't exactly what I had pictured) and a pushy cake-lady, we placed an order an hour later. You would think that with this type of experience we would've walked away, but the truth is that we didn't really know what we were doing; mostly, we didn't go in with one cohesive plan. So with a little bit of confusion and one previously mentioned cake-shop-owner we ordered the cake, it was yummy cake I assure you, and I was liking the ideas we had come up with. However, I should have guessed that the rushed tasting experience wouldn't be the end of the unfortunate service. Upon calling to confirm our order two weeks before the wedding I discovered that they no longer had our contract and that we needed to fill out a new one, which I did right then and there over the phone. Our cupcakes and small bride + groom cake tasted delicious and looked the way they were suppose to (except for the use of fondant rather than buttercream on our small cake). I've seen worse cake disasters, but all of this is just to say: do what you can to ensure your wedding cake experience is a smooth, enjoyable one. Next up, I have broken down for you into categories the primary topics to assess before stepping into your first cake tasting.

General
After deciding on the budget and style of your wedding, collect images of cakes and details that you like; this way you have some visuals to present to your baker.  Read some reviews of different shops in your area. Make sure that all parties involved agree and are on the same page with what you want your outcome to be before stepping into your first cake tasting.

Cost
The more elaborate your wedding cake the more pricey it will be. The most costly factor is your baker's time, so keep that in mind when choosing a cake design. On average, wedding cakes cost around $3.00 per serving, depending upon your location, the popularity of the shop and your design. So, multiply that by the amount of guests you wish to serve and you'll likely be in the correct ball park. The good news is that most bakers will work with you to accomplish your dream cake within your budget, just be sure to communicate with your baker and be open to ideas that can save you some money here or there.

Cake and Frosting
There are countless cake and frosting options to consider. You should be prepared to give the bakery shop of your choice a list of what options you are seriously considering so they know how to prepare for your tasting. For example, if you know that chocolate is a must in your wedding cake, let them know. Do some research so you can get a general idea of what different frostings are. For example, Buttercream is a more popular choice and like the name suggests, its very creamy and rich; whereas Fondant is thick, ideal for creating that smooth look you often see on wedding cakes, and in my opinion doesn't taste as good as Buttercream.

What to Expect While at a Tasting:
Remember that a cake tasting is given to couples who have done their research and are seriously considering making a purchase from that bakery. At the tasting, cake samples will be brought to you either "naked" or fully prepared. A naked sample is when the cake, filling, and frosting samples are brought to you separately which allows for isolated tastings as well as an easy way to try out different combinations. Fully prepared samples will be assembled cakes and will likely reflect the bakeries most popular options. While tasting the cake, be sure to note the texture and moisture of the cake. If you already know what other types of food you are serving at the reception, consider what might pair well. After your tasting is over, do not feel obligated to place an order. Be honest and appreciative but do not feel pressured to commit to anything you are not 100% sure of.

The following is a list of commonly asked cake questions that you too should ask of your bakery shop.

1. How do you price your wedding cakes?
2. How far in advance should I order my wedding cake?

3. Do you offer a free wedding cake tasting consultation?

4. How many people can join me in the tasting?
5. Do I need to bring anything to the meeting?
6. How do I confirm my wedding cake agreement?
7. Will you deliver my wedding cake to the venue?
8. Who provides and decorates the cake with flowers?
9. Do you provide cake toppers?
10. Do you rent cake stands?
11. Do you offer sheet cakes as back up cake to the wedding cake?
12. Do you provide a box for the top tier?
13. Up to how many tiers do you offer?
14. What method of payment do you accept?
15. Is my wedding cake deposit refundable?
16. How long have you been baking cakes for?
17. May we see a portfolio?

I hope you all enjoy your wedding cake experience. Though ours may not have been ideal, we have fond memories and enjoyed our cake immensely. Happy cake shopping!

A History Lesson : The Wedding Cake, Part One

The wedding cake is often deemed "the focal point" of an entire wedding. How did an object of such importance come to be? Well, the story is actually quite cute. The wedding cake found its beginning back in medieval times when guests of the wedding were to bring with them a small cake. This was the gift (a far cry from wedding registries and gift cards wouldn't you say?)! The abundance of small cakes would then be stacked into layers, and then it would be considered good luck if the bride and groom could kiss over the top of the cakes. The act of layering and stacking individual cakes is how we evolved into the three tiered wedding cake of the twentieth century. This three tiered cake was traditionally made with a twenty pound fruit cake as it's base with each layer atop of it getting slightly smaller. The only type of frosting used was royal icing because it was hard enough to keep out moisture in a time when refrigerators weren't available.  From this very traditional three tiered wedding cake came the elaborate cake creations we see today: cupcakes, groom cakes, cakes that look like fish tanks, square cakes, and cakes of every color. With weddings today having grown into the huge events that they are, cakes have evolved into quite the spectacle as well. With shows like: Cake Boss, and Ace of Cakes, its no wonder people expect so much of the wedding cake.

Of course, when the words "wedding" and "cake" come together in the same sentence it is likely the name Sylvia Weinstock will soon follow. Sylvia Weinstock is the queen of cakes. If you watch the wedding channel on TV or have ever done a minimal amount of searching for a wedding cake, you've probably seen her; and if you don't remember her face, you will surely remember her for her glasses. 

 Doesn't she just make you smile? 

Sylvia has also been noted as "the Leonardo Da Vinci of wedding cakes." She has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and when asked "why she was attracted to fancy cakes" she replied "...I was a pastry chef so I wanted to do something that nobody else was doing. People were baking cakes, but they weren't making wonderful, beautiful cakes." Simple philosophy, and extraordinary cakes. Sylvia's shop is (of course) located in New York, NY. Here is a video of the sweet Queen of cakes herself:

Next up for Part II of The Wedding Cake, I will break down the many decisions and options one has as they go to order their own wedding cake.