ordering your wedding cake

[ebredhawk]

this may not apply to everyone since a lot of us get cakes from our resorts that are included in packages, but if you are getting a cake for your AHR, or ordering from a bakery for your DW, please read this...

 

i am a cake decorator as well as a bride-to-be. from both sides i understand being on a budget and how awesome DIY can be. unfortunately, i came across these two articles today that bothered me:

 

More Cheap Wedding Cake Ideas! Save hundreds on your dream wedding cake!

Cheap Wedding Cakes: Have Your Cake and Eat it too!

 

don't get me wrong... there are some excellent ideas in there if you want a great cake, but want to keep it within budget. cake dummies (styrofoam tiers), serving the top tier and simple designs are some of the best things you can do to keep the price down without compromising style. heck, if you don't think you will be too stressed before the wedding, you can even DIY your cake (just make sure if it's tiered, you research support structures and transportation!).

 

however, when the articles start going into details about lying to bakeries to stay within budget, i couldn't believe it! i don't know a single baker who charges different per serving based on whether it's a wedding cake or a fancy, tiered party cake. also it makes cakes sound like they are just "flour, eggs and sugar", like any old joe could make a good looking cake. hopefully you all have seen enough of those cake shows to know that even the professionals can't get it right all the time either.. it's hard and takes lots of practice and time!

 

also, be warned about the real vs. sugar flowers, i agree that sugar flowers are more expensive, but as some of you probably know, there are real flowers that are toxic to people (hydrangeas, etc.). putting them on a cake opens you up to a guest possibly getting sick... try silk flowers instead! we all know real touch flowers can be just as beautiful!

 

sorry for such a long post, but you ladies are so creative and smart and i wanted to make sure people weren't faling prey to the deceptive ideas of the "big, greedy, price-gouging cake decorators"!

 

okay, i'll get off my soapbox now... i need to go eat some cake now, i have a huge craving for some reason!

[diamondpooch]

I don't blame you for feeling the way you do. Of course everyone wants a bargain, but you get what you pay for and it's nice to find someone who takes pride in their work.

[Patti]

Thanks so much for the information.

[poohshek]

I was told by a florist not to use silk flowers for cake decoration. The color from the silk flowers may come off and stain the cake if it gets wet/damp. Can you shed some light on this?

[jam8x2]

Thanks for the commentary. It helps to hear that from someone in the wedding industry. I worked in the floral industry and people talk about how prices are inflated, but there is craftsmanship and quality that go into the work.

[ebredhawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohshek I was told by a florist not to use silk flowers for cake decoration. The color from the silk flowers may come off and stain the cake if it gets wet/damp. Can you shed some light on this?

if your cake gets wet or damp, you've probably got much bigger issues! honestly though, i have never heard of this happening. if your cake is going to be in an environment where it might "sweat" (and in this case you really only want to use fondant.. buttercream will break down in humidity) just make sure that the petals on the flowers aren't directly touching your cake. OR if you're really worried about it, avoid the problem completely by purchasing the flowers yourself and making sure they are a decent enough quality that the colors won't run.

[poohshek]

Thanks for the input! I took what I was told with a grain of salt.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebredhawk if your cake gets wet or damp, you've probably got much bigger issues! honestly though, i have never heard of this happening. if your cake is going to be in an environment where it might "sweat" (and in this case you really only want to use fondant.. buttercream will break down in humidity) just make sure that the petals on the flowers aren't directly touching your cake. OR if you're really worried about it, avoid the problem completely by purchasing the flowers yourself and making sure they are a decent enough quality that the colors won't run.