Wedding Cake Planning Guide
You’ve found your mate. You’ve set the date.
The ring, the dress… the wedding cake.

You have probably heard the expression “timing is everything” – and that is especially true for planning your wedding cake. Popular wedding dates book very early with our Select Bakers, so it’s never too soon to ‘save the date’. While every wedding is as unique as the bride-to-be, there are a few planning basics for wedding cakes that every bride needs to know:

It’s time to choose a baker.

We recommend first reviewing the profiles our elite network of wedding cake specialists to find a qualified baker in your area who is authorized to create the designs on our site. The bakery network experts at Wedding Cakes Across America have done a lot of the homework for you – evaluating and checking references on our Select Bakers. We provide you with complete contact information, the history of the bakery, training and awards, quality statements, prices, hours, and a menu of available products and services. You may wish to visit two or three bakeries to compare styles, flavors and prices.

Set a tasting and consultation appointment with the bakers whose style and product offering best meets your needs.

Be prepared to make a down payment to ‘Save the Date’ with your bakery, determine the type of cake and decorations you want, and review and sign an agreement with the bakery for your wedding cake.

The agreement will help both you and the baker make sure you are clear about the delivery arrangement, prices, timelines and cake expectations. It’s hard to remember even the most important arrangements when you are planning a wedding, so it’s nice to have the details in writing.

Select a groom's cake. Offering a groom’s cake - a charming, but somewhat humorous custom in the Deep South - is becoming increasingly popular in weddings nationwide. The groom’s cake is often a surprise theme chosen by the bride. Have some fun with this. Begin now thinking of his many hobbies, interests and affiliations. Find out his favorite cake. Or involve him in the decision. Then discuss ideas with your baker for creating the perfect cake for your perfect groom.

If you have not yet done so, it is time to make your final decision on your wedding cake and your bakery… and place your order.

Share contact information with your wedding vendors, especially the facility manager for your reception, your wedding planner, the decorator, the florist and the baker, so they may coordinate efforts for your reception.

Don’t forget cakes for the other events: Bridal Showers, Cookie Wedding Favors, Trays of Treats for the Rehearsal, Bachelor Parties, family gatherings, etc. — be sure to discuss options for cakes, desserts and other goodies with your baker. If your baker only specializes in wedding cakes, call Cakes Across America at 1-800-422-5387 to manage the pre-wedding cake deliveries for you.

Make sure you have ordered the cake topper, server, cake stand, pedestals, serving trays, displays and any other items not provided by the baker.

Make sure your wedding topper and cake displays are on schedule. Be sure to follow up with the baker of any changes to the reception time, date or place.

If you are planning to use FrostingArt - digital images printed in frosting - be sure to send your image(s) to the baker at least a month in advance.

Make sure payments have been made to the baker in accordance with your agreement. The cake is consumable and any balance due should be paid prior to creation of the cake. Please refer to your agreement with the bakery for exact payment terms as terms may vary.

Take the cake topper and other items to your baker at least two weeks prior to the event.

Verify with the baker all final payments have been made and he/she has all the information needed to create, deliver and set up your cake. Give your baker a list of reliable contact names and phone numbers for people who can answer for you or reach you during the wedding should the baker need assistance.

Make a final follow-up call to confirm the baker is all set for your cake delivery.

If you are saving the top tier of your cake for your anniversary or a party when you return from your honeymoon, confirm with your Wedding Cake Delegate that he or she has instructions for properly handling the cake including wrapping, boxing, transporting and freezing and all supplies such as the box, plastic wrap and an airtight plastic freezer bag are available at the reception. Print our Storing the Top Tier instructions from Tips & Tools.