I thought that I would throw this idea out to get some feedback on wedding cakes. I just got engaged and while we are still in planning stages, (wedding is in a year and a half) wanted to get an idea on the best way to choose a bakery or cake style for a wedding cake for the big day. I know that my hall throws in the cake and I have a choice of two bakeries and want to make sure I make the right decision. I always have the option of buying my own cake too.

While I would LOVE to make my own wedding cake, I know that it is a lot of work and probably too stressful for me to make my own when the big day comes.

Any advice will be gladly appreciated.

Kimmie

Meet with each bakery ... ask for samples of some of their flavors of cakes/fillings that you would like to have.. ask to see a portfolio of some of the cakes they've made... ask if you can contact some of the people they have made cakes for .. or maybe ask the hall that is hosting your reception to contact some previous couples that used them and give them your number to call you to let you know which bakery they preferred ... word of mouth means a lot .. so if you could find out from others which bakery was preferred, would help you a lot with your decision .. you need to be very comfortable with your choice .. that's most important

oh also, although you'd love to make your cake, it would be a stressful enough day for you without the burden of doing your own cake too ... but that's your choice.. I've heard of some that do their own

I made my daughters wedding cake last yr..... Everything went well for us... I set it up the night before except for the topper....when we got to the reception, I placed the topper on, turned the lights on...and wholaaa. BUt I was just the mother of the bride...not the bride....that may be a different story...
good luck in your decision..
cakegal

I had every intention of doing my own cake for my very small 40 guest wedding...and THANK GOD I didn't. You think you'll have the time and patience that week for it, but you won't! There's a million things running through your head, emotions are high and the last thing you'll want it to be responsible for that cake.

Don't do it...trust me! Your time is better spent on other things!!

I would pick out a few designs that you really like, or if there is just one you just love bring it to the bakeries that you are meeting with. I would set up consultations with them and taste what they have to offer, or too see if they are going to have the flavors you want. If they can make the cake you want great. If they cant, you have to ask youself will you be happy with the designs they can do, and can you be happy with the comprimise that you are going to make. It really depends on how importatnt the cake it to you and your wedding day.

When we were planning our wedding we didn't like any of the local bakeries. Most of the cakes we tried were really dry and just so-so. I decided to make my own. although it was stressful it was also a lot of fun. I took great pride in the finished product. I guess I am also the type of person who works off of stress! If you do make your own PLAN AHEAD.. WAAAY AHEAD!!

i'm making my own... it's going to be for about 210 people... quite large but i've got it figured out to where i can make the cake almost 5 days ahead of the wedding and leave plenty of time for all the little things... but i'm going to have everything done well before that week... i'm saving at least $300 doing it myself and it doesn't have to be complicated... i'm still doing about 5 different flavors of cake with a mmf topping (bc in between) and a sugar glaze... maybe i'm crazy but i guess we'll see

Good luck with that Greencargirl! What is the design going to be? Whatever it is I'm sure it will turn out beautiful! Make sure to let us all see it when it is finished!

i have my practice cake in the gallery... it will look exactly like that with a few more roses on top of each tier plus the 6 surrounding cakes... i would love to do buttercream but i'm not too good at it yet to attempt such a large cake in a short time

Greencar girl you are amazing! That cake is beautiful! I dont think I am going to make my own cake. I am not that organized and will be running around like crazy as it is. Let me know how it turns out.

Thats a good Idea. Maybe I will make my own design and bring it with to a bakery. I am getting married Sept of 2006 so I have time. I may go with a Hawaiian type theme with purple orchids. Who knows...

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it!!!