WEDDING CAKE- LU’S GUIDE & TIPS
Cake table with the most gorgeous pops of Meadow Flowers from Gigil & Bloom florists. At The Pumping House, Ollerton
Piece of cake
Along with the stunning dress & gorgeous venue, your wedding cake is a focal point of the big day. It’s often a main feature at the venue, with lots of pictures being taken of it, you posing with it and cutting it and will be remembered for the rest of your lives.
I’ve put together a guide to help you choose the perfect combination of flavours and design details to show your guests a little piece of your love for each other.
Venue
The venue can help to inspire or influence the design of your cake, e.g, is the venue large, small, rustic, colourful, dark, modern, tall ceilings, outside... Consider where the cake will be placed, check with your venue- most venues will already have a designated table and often a cake stand. Your cake will normally be on display for a long time and while it may be a style that creates plenty of impact alone - there are lots of ways to dress your cake table. To add to the style of your venue or your vibe you can add things such as displays of small cakes, biscuit jars, meringues, candles, fabrics or loose fresh flowers in colours that tie in. Just ask Lu if you would like help sourcing any of these additions. You may even prefer a dessert table to a full tiered wedding cake.
Flavour
Seasons can affect flavour choices, summer weddings will be much more suited to lighter cakes such as zesty, fruity or vanilla based ones whilst winter weddings can accommodate a richer cake such as sticky toffee or fruit cake.
Guests will often appreciate a choice if you are having multiple tiered cakes, remember whilst you want to choose a cake that you both like as a couple, you won’t have to eat every tier so you can choose a big crowd pleaser even if it’s not your favourite, so long as your favourite is involved somewhere!
Allergies need to be thought about, your guests should let you know if they have any allergies or dietary requirements, Bakerlu can always provide a full list of ingredients when requested and flavour labels are recommended. Ask your stationer to fit these in with your theme, or ask Lu to print some Bakerlu ones.
Portions
Portions needed can vary so much, here’s my guidance
Wedding portions vs generous portions
Cake sizing on my website is based on generous portions (2” x 2”), a wedding portion is half size (1“ x 2”)
In my experience, the more unique cake flavours would happily get gobbled up, as guests are more intrigued to try them. Not everyone will eat cake and personally I’d like to know I’ve catered for enough for every guest to have at least 1 piece. You know your guests better than anyone - are they big cake lovers? Will some be too busy boogying and boozing by the time the cake comes out to eat much? Most of the Bakerlu cakes stay delicious for a minimum of 5 days and most are suitable for freezing if you do have some left.
It’s really down to yourselves as a couple with what size you’d like to choose, there’s no right or wrong. Evening guests are normally included in your portion requirements.
Kitchen Cake
This is especially useful if you have a small budget and want a highly decorated cake but lots of people to feed, it’s a separate slab of cake that the catering staff keep in the kitchen and add to the portions when cutting up your main cake. It’s a great way to save money as it doesn’t require lots of decoration.
Handmade Sugar Parrots & feathers cascading down a 3 tier wedding cake at Swancar Farm, Nottingham
Budget Tips
I will always try my best to design something you love to suit your budget, just ask any questions you like and don’t be shy.
Highly decorative cakes that include lots of beautiful hand crafted sugar pieces take a lot of time so naturally will have a price that reflects that. Fresh or silk flowers are more budget friendly and often will suit the style anyway. There are many beautiful wooden sign cake toppers and various cake stands available on the market, ask if you would like me to source one as I can sometimes get a trade discount.
Fondant/sugar paste covered cakes or ganache cakes are more expensive than buttercream cakes.
Choosing one of my pre-designed cakes in a colour of your choice could save you money as there will be less design and consultation time needed.
Inspiration from other cake designers
I can make almost anything but I am an artist & prefer to put my own spin on things. We can certainly take inspiration from other artists but I’d also love for you to have something unique to you as a couple to make your day all the more special.
Weather
Hot & humid weather is out of your control if you are having a summer (or even Spring or Autumn!) wedding, I can recommend the best fillings, flavours & finishes to keep your cake happy. Cake is traditionally cut in the evening which means it is often sitting in warm environment and can cause things to move slightly. I use the correct supports and have found the best ingredients to optimise it’s beauty all day. In the rare event that you should encounter any problems, just get someone to call.
Delivery
As standard I deliver your cake to the venue. Tiered cakes are carried in separate boxes and assembled at the venue, any finishing touches or delicate items are also done at the venue, this normally takes up to an hour to complete. You are welcome to collect the cake fully assembled but do so at your own risk and under guidance provided.
Have your cake and eat it
With all the wonderful things that fill your day, make sure eating some of your own cake is part of it. A good idea is to ask the venue to put together a box with 2 slices of each flavour for you to take home the next day. Together, we’ve created an amazing cake that represents your love so enjoy your day and don’t forget to eat the cake!
The most spectacular cutting of the cake I’ve ever seen! With a sword, a family tradition since Jenny’s Uncle was in the navy - now any family member who gets married has the sword to cut the cake.
At Long Clawson Village Hall, Leicestershire