My best friend is getting married. They are still setting a date, so it will either be in June or September in Salt Lake City. Because she is my best friend she has asked me to do her cake. My last wedding cake was the most stressful and less than happy experience and I do NOT want to feel that way about this one, there is just one detail that is stressing me out right now... I'm in Georgia.
She has chosen a design based on this cake. So far they have decided that they want on dark chocolate cake with raspberry filling and one lemon cake with lemon curd and blackberry filling. I am unsure if they will do two more flavors or just repeat the other two again.
Would you bake the cakes, wrap them and transport them un filled, frosted and covered in fondant or would your finish each tier, aside from the flowers and transport them that way? Would you transport them by plane, shipping or automobile? What do I do about the lemon curd since it does need to be refridgerated?
Originally when I agreed to do this cake the wedding was in Spring 2008. It has definately moved up a bit and I am more than a little nervous.
Rachel
Wow, I can see where you are nervous, I would be too. I can't offer any long distance cake transportating advice, but I think I would not want to ship them via plane or other kind of mass transit. Are you driving? I think I would want to drive them there via auto, fondant covered in containers that can maintain a cool temperature and do the fine work there. But, then again that is just my gut feeling.
When I did the groom's cake in Michigan...I baked the layers; triple wrapped them in Saran and then Aluminum Foil; froze them. Then took them out just before we left (7 hour drive). I put them in sheet cake boxes that I had. I made the decorations ahead of time and put them in rubbermaid shoeboxes. I didn't make the icing until we were on site at the church. I even took my Kitchenaide!
From Georgia to Utah is a LOOONNNGGG drive. But, I would probably drive it. I don't trust the airlines. Have you seen recent episodes of Food TV Challenge!? I definitely wouldn't do the fillings or icing until you get there since the fillings must be refrigerated.
Will there be somewhere you can work to get the cake finished there? I'm sorry you have to make this "Mega Trek", even if it IS your friend. Just take your time and be careful! I even took my cake pans in case I needed to do a quick layer! But, then again, I'm paranoid to the max! LOLL
GOOD LUCK and I definitely want to see a picture of this cake!
Beth in KY
That looks like quite a cake! I would be more inclined to bake and cover ahead of time and get as much decorating done as possible. Maybe you could encourage her not to use the lemon curd filling since you have to travel so far. You could make a small lemon cake with the filling she wanted to be served, but not as part of the actual cake. That way you wouldn't have to worry about refrigeration.
I did my sisters and it was about a 3.5 hour drive. I had the cakes baked and wrapped very well, and made my frosting and put it in a big unsed home depot paint bucket and took it with me. I started decorating right after we got there, and finished it the morning of the ceremony. One thing to think about....are you licensed? If not, with the reception hall in Utah let her use an unlicensed baker? I have no idea what the laws are in Utah, but it may be something to check into if you aren't licensed. Good luck! It's a gorgeous cake!
I don't think this will be a problem in Utah. I will definately check with the venue as soon as she decides if they're going to have it at the Lion House, Joseph Smith Memorial Building or at a local church building. We'll see.
I will talk to her about the lemon curd. Possibly what I could do, since she wants my lemon curd/blackberry filling cake is make the top tier when I get there and make that the one with lemon curd.
Rachel
I did my best friends wedding cake last year and I just packed my decorating supplies (and mailed the cake plateau) and made the cake at her house and decorated at the venue (had a kitchen all to ourselves). I went out a couple days early to be able to do that... Got to spend more time with my BF and didn't have to worry about perishable foods in the sky.
So, that's my rec... My hubby stayed home with the 10 year old and I had my 9 month old with me, but since there were so many "babysitters" i didn't worry about that too much.
Melissa
I don't think this will be a problem in Utah. I will definately check with the venue as soon as she decides if they're going to have it at the Lion House, Joseph Smith Memorial Building or at a local church building. We'll see.
Rachel
If your friend is looking for recommendations, my friend had her wedding at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and it is GORGEOUS! We didn't know each other until after she was married but I have viewed her pictures a thousand times. I'm not LDS, so I've never been inside of it but I definately want to find a reason to go in now.
Yeah, I am the one pushing for the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I went into it for the first time in October while visiting my dad who is on his mission there and it was absolutely stunning. Catering costs are high though, 1000 dollars to feed 50 people. So it is all if his/her parents are going to pay for that. Her mom wants the Lion House, but we'll see.
Rachel
When I was 17, my swim coach got married in The Lion House. He had his swimmers as his food servers. It was fun! I don't remember much about the building because at that time I couldn't(wouldn't, I guess is more accurate) appreciate a beautiful building.
The top of the Wells Fargo building has a stunning view of the Salt Lake Valley. Perhaps another option, I know you can bring in your own caterers there from another friend that had her reception there.
On topic though, I have to agree. Travel by car. If that is not possible, only have the plain cakes packaged and shipped. I wouldn't frost and decorate it until you have gotten in town.
Thanks for the advice! I am probably going to drive. If she has it in June I may be able to bring a long someone from my ward here who can travel with me. I love road trips, so that's not the hard part. The hard part is being away from my family (2 boys and a husband) for at least a week, including travel time.
Rachel
The only thing I like about flying is the take-off and the landing. 
I know, its strange, but I hate the way my head/ears kill me during flying. I prefer to road trip everything, but the time it takes sometimes is to difficult. My dad, sister and I once made it to Penn. in a car in 2 days. We drove non-stop, other than to eat and go to the restroom. Loads of fun, and I'm not being sarcastic. 
I have video of us going through Iowa during a lightning storm, at the same time its both beautiful and frightening, and you can't get that from a plane.
I hope she has it in June then, road trips are always better w/a friend. I'm sorry you have to be away from your family for so long. Is your father still serving here? If so at least you'll have one family member near you. Maybe soften the blow a little. Either way you'll be glad you came out to celebrate with your friend, as she will be glad that you made her cake. 
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