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Choosing a Wedding Cake

Choosing a Wedding Cake


John Maddaford
John Maddaford Updated:
8th of March 2023

Key considerations when choosing a cake:

  • Your personal taste - both for the type of cake inside, and the style of cake.
  • Your venue - A relaxed venue calls for a less formal cake.
  • Safety considerations - Children at the venue? Wobbly table in a marquee? Opt for stacked tiers rather than cup cakes on lots of carefully balanced tiers.
  • The number of guests and your budget - for small weddings and a tight budget, choose a cake that works well with just two tiers.
  • Colour schemes - the cake can be a great way to add a splash of colour to your reception.
  • Do you want to make your own cake?


When should I choose my cake?

It is sensible to book the services of your chosen supplier as early as possible, especially if you are considering an unusual design or croquembouche. The final design can then be chosen at your leisure once your flowers have been finalised, as they can sometimes have a bearing on the cake design. If you're opting for a traditional fruitcake, then these can take up to three months to mature. 

How do I choose which style?

First consider the look you want to achieve, whether traditional, quirky, elegant or a show-stopping centrepiece. Once you have chosen how it should look, consider what flavour cake you would like inside. Discuss with your cake supplier any practicalities that may affect your choice, and ways to overcome them.

How many tiers will I need?

The number of tiers you choose will depend on how many guests you have, and whether you plan on serving the cake for your dessert, which will require larger portions. Whether you choose round or square tiers can also make a difference. Your baker will be able to advise you on how many tiers to choose, but this handy chart may give you an idea:

 

Can I have different flavours inside each tier?

Absolutely, as the icing hides what is inside, so the tiers will still look the same. Each tier is supported on dowels, so there is no risk of a heavy fruit top tier sinking into your light sponge bottom tier. Why not choose a combination of yours and groom's favourite flavours? Many cake bakers will offer tastings to help you choose. 

Can guests with food allergies be catered for?

Definitely! Many bakers can supply separate gluten, egg, dairy or sugarfree cakes for guests with food intolerances. 

Does a specialist need to set up my cake?

Generally cakes are supplied with all of the dowels, pillars and flowers already in place, so that the tiers simply need to be taken from their boxes and placed on the tier below. Individual or miniature cakes need a small degree of artistic skill to arrange the cakes onto the glass stands. 

Find a cake maker here.

Looking for the sweeter elements?
John Maddaford

About the author


John Maddaford

With 15 years experience at Guides for Brides, John has many clients that are bakers, cake makers and suppliers of all sorts of sweet treats. He is the best person to contact for supplier recommendations in your area.

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