As wedding season is in full swing we thought this would be the perfect time to share 5 things your wedding cake designer wishes you knew!
Whether you’re going all out or you’re keeping it low-key and simple, its guaranteed that all of your guests will be excited about the cake!! But, before you can get there, there’s a few things you need to know.
1. Simple doesn’t always mean cheaper
One of the most common inquiries we receive is couples looking for a “simple” cake. In all honesty our idea of what simplicity is versus your idea of simplicity can be so very different. It’s very easy to assume that certain designs are “simple” and they may very well be. However, the simplest, most understated cakes usually take the longest to create and can be the most expensive on the cost scale. Take for example a cake that is covered in hand made ruffles or perhaps even is plain white with a lot of texture and sugar flowers cascading down the cake. The cost of a cake depends on size, design, complexity and intricacy of the details. The more intricate the design, the more time it will take and more money it will cost. The price may seem high to many people as they think it’s ‘just cake,’ but cakes take a lot of labor and love. We often work 12- to 15-hour days leading up to the wedding day to ensure the cake is fresh. In addition, sugar flowers take time to craft and some of our flowers take up 5 hours to create for just a single bloom.
2. Wedding cakes don’t love the outdoors
The outdoors is unfortunately not your cake’s best friend! It is so important to be mindful and aware of the temperature on the day of your wedding. While fondant cakes are a bit more resilient, cakes with buttercream finishes, chocolate flourishes and fresh flowers don’t hold up well under hot conditions. That being said, if you’re going to have your cake outside (because honestly, who doesn’t love a good outdoor wedding?!) we’ve got a few tips to help you navigate the heat; do not put your cake in direct sunlight, if at all possible place your cake in a cool spot and make sure that the ground is level for your cake table before setting your cake.
3. We prefer not to”re-create” your dream cake you found on Pinterest
Often times, Pinterest or magazine spreads don’t give the cost of the creations that are displayed in those little squares or that grace the pages of magazines and to re-create exactly may be hundreds or thousands of dollars outside of your budget. As a rule of thumb, we don’t re-create cake designs. When our clients show us their Pinterest boards full of cake inspiration, we always ask what in particular do you like about these cakes? Usually, the response that follows is that there isn’t one particular cake that they like but there are certain elements from different cakes that speak to them that they feel would capture the theme or vision that they are looking for on their wedding day. Therefore, its important to be open minded which will allow for an honest discussion and design concept that is truly original and more importantly fits within your budget. One of my favorite things to do as a cake designer is taking those inspirational elements and then creating something that is unique and specifically tailored for each of our couples that fits within their budget. Your wedding cake should be a piece or art that speaks to you. Every artist has their own specific style. For us, cake design is an organic process and we prefer to let the design and placement unfold naturally.
4. You don’t have to please everyone
Just like every other aspect of your wedding day, everyone will always have an opinion. So, it’s important to recognize and accept that you can’t please everyone – nor should you! We highly encourage you to pick flavors that you truly love instead of what the masses will enjoy or even incorporate brightly colored sugar flowers to add a splash of fun and color if you’re not afraid to express yourself a bit more boldly especially on a small canvas like your cake.
5. The sooner you book your cake, the better
One of the most common mistakes couples make is waiting until the last minute to book their cake. There’s nothing worse than getting your hopes up only to be told by your cake designer that they are fully booked for your wedding date. For us, we only take on a limited amount of cakes per week to ensure the highest quality so that will also affect availability. The sooner you book, the more time you’ll have to schedule a consultation, choose your flavor and pin down the design details. For weddings taking place during peak wedding season, i.e. June through September, we always recommend you reach out at least 6 months in advance (or even at the end of the previous year) to ensure that you don’t run into scheduling conflicts. If you’re planning a wedding on any of the summer holiday long weekends (think May long weekend, Canada Day weekend, August long weekend, and Labor Day weekend) booking early is especially important! Long weekends are very popular and are usually the first dates to get booked so its important to inquire about availability early. Note that if you’re getting married during the off season, the timeline is usually more flexible and we recommend that you get in touch 3-4 months in advance.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at hello@briannegabriellecakes.com
xo,
Brianne + Anisia
Photography ~ Pam Kriangkum Photography
