I have a wedding cake (will be my 2nd one) and a birthday cake due both on the same weekend. The wedding cake to be covered in buttercream, and the birthday cake to be covered in mmf.

So my question is How far in advance can I make the cakes and leave it out (not refridgerated) before it goes stale? I don't want to do them too early or run short on time.

Also, on the wedding cake, its 3-4 tiers high, double layers with ribbon and borders all stacked on top of each other, do you all set the cake up at the place and then pipe your borders- transport seperately or do you do it all up in advance and transport completed?

thanks for any help you can give.

I would have the same question about making the cakes in advance, but I transport the cakes seperate and stack on site and pipe on borders. For me it would be too risky to transport stacked, but then I see the TV shows (Cake Boss, Etc) do it all the time. no way for me!

I think i would make the bday cake first assuming they are both for saturday. I think the MMF helps hold the moisture in the cake more. i would make it Thursday night to be eaten on Saturday. Wedding cakes i think I would make Friday. But I am no expert! actually when i say 'make' i mean decorate. I actually bake my cakes the weekend before and freeze them. that helps me juggle cakes, kids and full time job. each night i make something new. wednesday night - MMF, thursday night - BC friday morning- lay out cakes, friday night/saturday morning decorate cakes.
I feel like i have rambled and probably not helped at all! good luck!

To me, it is much less stressful to transport everything that you need and to assemble on site. That is what I did for my last wedding cake (it was 4 layers). Of course I was fortunate in that I had early access to the site and there was an attached kitchen to work in when I had to mix my buttercream.

Thanks Dee! Just doing what works for me!

thank you all for your help.

kweenofengland- thanks for your timeline, it helps alot!