Choosing A Wedding Cake: Everything You Need To Know

Choosing A Wedding Cake: Everything You Need To Know - Eternity

Choosing A Wedding Cake: Everything You Need To Know

24th February 2023

Wedding cake tasting is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a wedding, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many flavours, fillings, and frostings to choose from, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your wedding cake tasting experience.

Be sure to check out our incredibly talented cake suppliers for your big day.

Here are some wedding cake tips to help you choose the perfect cake for your big day. We’ve teamed up with Cake Layers, to provide their top expert cake tips. Keep reading below and be sure to check them out for your big day.

Do your research

Before your tasting, research different cake artists. Look at their pages to get a sense of their style, quality and favours. This will help you narrow down your options and ensure you’re choosing an artist that fits your needs and preferences.

It’s also worth seeing if they have worked at your particular venue before, if not, keep in mind that you should bring them along for a site visit.

Schedule a tasting

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, schedule a tasting with each cake artists. Most bakeries offer tasting boxes or in-person tastings for a fee, but some may offer them for free. Be sure to schedule your tastings well in advance of your wedding date, as some artists have limited availability during peak wedding season!

Bring your partner / a trusted friend

It’s a good idea to bring your partner or a trusted friend to the tasting – it’s also the best way to get your bridesmaids involved!

Especially if they have a sweet tooth, they can offer a second opinion and help you make decisions. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do together.

Bring questions

Before your tasting, create a list of questions to ask the artist. For example, ask about their delivery and setup process, how far in advance you need to place your order, and what their cancellation policy is.

Also, bring along any inspiration photos or your decor moodboard to help the artist understand your vision. Often, if you have a specific flower theme, your cake artist will help create something that matches.

TIPS WITH CAKE LAYERS
Everyone loves a good photo moment! When you are cutting your cake, you many find you are having to give your attention to the photographer. Couples often say afterwards that they can't remember how the cake tasted but was told by all the guests it was amazing. So why not have the very top tier made just to take home and not served? How lovely to have some cake on the night or the next day with a cup of tea!

Consider all the logistics

When you are sat with your cake artist, try to understand the exact place they fit into your day plan for setup. Your wedding planner / co-ordinator will know best.

Try tons of flavours

During your tasting, be sure to try a variety of flavours, fillings, and frostings. This will help you get a sense of what you like and don’t like. Don’t be afraid to mix and match flavours and fillings to create your perfect combination.

Often, most cake artists will provide you the option of varying the flavour per tier, to allow for variations in your guests requirements.

Check out 43 unique cake flavours here.

Consider the season & venue

When choosing your cake flavours, consider the season and venue of your wedding.

For example, if you’re having a summer wedding, you may want to choose lighter, fruit-based flavours. If you’re having a winter wedding, you may want to choose richer, chocolate-based flavours.

Additionally, various cake icings will also hold differently in different weather conditions. Your cake artist is the expert and will advise you the best. For example, buttercream can melt during extremely hot conditions, so why not opt for a naked cake or fondant icing?

Take enough notes

During your tasting, take notes on each flavor and combination you try. This will help you remember what you liked and didn’t like later on.

Did you know? You can easily take notes on your Eternity UK mobile app, to keep all your wedding related ideas in one place.

TIPS WITH CAKE LAYERS
The cake portion guide is only a guide and the number of portions you actually get will depend on how the kitchen staff cut your cake. Most of the time, they cut the cake smaller than the guide so there is always plenty for your guests to enjoy.

Consider the size & design

When choosing your cake, consider the size and design that will work best for your wedding. Think about the number of guests you’ll be serving and the style of your wedding.

For example, if you’re having a rustic outdoor wedding, a naked cake or a buttercream-frosted cake with fresh flowers may be more appropriate than a formal tiered cake.

Be aware of dietary restrictions & allergies

If you or any of your guests have allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to ask the cake artist about their options. Most artists offer eggless, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options.

If you have different tiers, with different options, be sure to make this absolutely clear on your table menus.

Consider the seasonality of ingredients

When choosing your cake flavours, consider the seasonality of ingredients. For example, if you’re having an early summer wedding, a mango & passionfruit cake is a great idea! For an autumn wedding, mango will be out of season.

TIPS WITH CAKE LAYERS
If you're having a naked wedding cake, bear in mind that if you want different flavours with different buttercream fillings, the colours of the sponges and fillings will look different from one tier to the next, and you may lose the elegance of the cake.

Ask about cake storage and leftovers

If you have leftover cake after your wedding, ask the artists about the best way to store it. They may have recommendations on how to store the cake to maintain its freshness.

Refer to your budget

Before you commit to a cake, consider the cost. Wedding cakes can be expensive, so make sure that the price fits within your budget. If you’re on a tight budget, consider choosing a smaller cake or a simpler design.

TIPS WITH CAKE LAYERS
When choosing your desserts, be sure to offer the cake as one of them. Sometimes couples choose to have 3 desserts per guest and leave the cake at a buffet station (where it doesn't get eaten!)

Make it personal

At the end of the day, trust your instincts. Choose the flavour and design that you love and that fits with the style of your wedding.

Your wedding cake should be a reflection of you and your partner, so don’t be afraid to go with something unique and personal.

Have fun!

Lastly, remember that wedding cake tasting should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Take the time to savor each flavour and enjoy the moment. After all, choosing your wedding cake is one of the sweetest parts of wedding planning!