OK so I am doing my first wedding cake this week. It sof r a friend and I am goign to have to drive it 4 hours to the wedding. I have arrangements with the staff at the hotel to allow me to use some kitchen space for up to a couple of hours if I need it.
I'm really nervous about putting the fondant on before I go and I'm trying to figure out whether or not it is a good idea to put the fondant on when I get there. The last cake I travelled that far with ended up settling a lot in the car and the bottom edges were all messed up. so, should I put the fondant on before or after the drive up? and if I wait until after, should I fill and crumb coat before I leave?

Also, this cake will have gumpaste calla lilies, which I have finished making, but I'm not sure of the best way to pack them up to take them with me. any help, suggestions, words of encouragement, are all appreciated!

I guess it is all according to how much time they will give you there in the kitchen.. If it is a lot, then you may feel more comfortable bringing them and applying the fondant.. I would definitely fill and crumb coat beforehand though.. You dont want to be stuck and run out of time....HTH

Can you incorporate a base border to apply at the last minute to disguise any settling problems? Fondant ribbon, real ribbon, fondant balls or rope, or a piped on BC border would all hide problems with the edges.

I would cover the cakes before hand. I don't know how complicated the decoration is, but you do need to leave time for all the additional decorating that's being done.

For one thing it would depend on where I live. I live on the West coast so we don't have the heat and humidity that you would have say in Florida. Another thing are you fast at covering cakes with fondant? If so then maybe you would want to wait if not I would do it at home. You need to make sure you have time to put on all of your decorations when you arrive at your destination. I will be making my brothers wedding cake on Friday for the party on Saturday. I am always worried about something going wrong so I like to give myself plenty of time especially when it's a wedding. I know some people here don't chill their cakes but for me it's a must. It helps firm everything up and makes it safer for cake delivery. When you use fondant it holds in the moisture anyways. Just make sure to keep the cakes out of the sun if you are placing them in the back of your car. You could frost and cover with fondant and wait to apply any borders or decorations. This way if the cake settles just smooth and cut off the excess fondant add your border and nobody will know the difference. Do you crumb coat and let them sit overnight is so most of the settling is already taken place. Good luck.

[quote="kitty122000"]

so I should dam and fill, let it sit overnight, crumb coat, allow to crust, then cover with fondant. Right?


Yes. That's what works for me anyway.

I managed to get it done and am very happy with how it turned out. I uploaded a picture in my photos!