I've never done a wedding cake before (my first one is scheduled for June), but my sister's best friend just asked if I would be interested in doing hers. I would love to do it, but I'm sure how since the wedding is out of town...3 hours from me.

Have you ever delivered a wedding cake as far as three hours away? Would you do it assembled, or assemble it onsite? I'd be pretty nervous either way! Also I use IMBC, and I think her wedding is in the summer.

What about baking the cake here and then decorating it there? Maybe a hotel room or a friend's kitchen? Has anyone ever done anything like this?

Thanks!

I am not an IMBC expert but I don't think it's supposed to sit out for that length of time and definitely not in the heat. Figure it will be out 30 mins while you load up 3 hour drive + set-up time + time before the cutting of cake at reception so you are looking at possibly 6-8 hours sitting out.

I have baked at home and then tried to finish in dh's grandma's kitchen. It was a nightmare. I'm so used to everything at my fingertips and everything took 2-3 times as long because I wasn't in my zone!

You could definitely do it with buttercream or fondant with no problems provided you didn't use any perishable fillings.

For that kind of drive I would take it in separate boxes and assemble on-site for safety and sanity sake!

I looked at your pics. You do beautiful work!

dodibug, Thanks for the advice! Also, thanks for the compliment!

Anyone else with experience doing this?

I have done one with IMBC (photos) and after completing it I placed it in freezer the night before wedding (Sept 3rd, hot day! but reception was inside air cond. building.) It was out of refrigeration 5 hours before cake cutting....and when we cut it, most layers were good (but cold) however, when we got to the bottom layer, the center was a tad more than cold, it was fairly firm. Fortunately, everyone was served just prior to that.
I only drove in the car 35 mins. with the cake, I had it separated and set into a foam mattress pad (I purchased this specifically to transport cakes on) it works great! Then I put the layers together on site.
So, as you can see, I think you would have several hours before it was melting....I think if you foiled your back windows to shield the sun, and kept the air on, and froze the cake before, it would be fine.
I simple syrup my cakes so the freezing does not dry them...they stay very moist.
I'm with dodibug, I need to be in my own area with my own tools or I would run into problems....but thats just me!