Wedding Cake Tasting: What to Expect

As a bride-to-be, I have gotten to experience first-hand the many joys, and sometimes stresses, of wedding planning. Yesterday, my fiance and I went to our second wedding cake tasting/consultation. Since it varied greatly from the first, I thought it would be a good idea to let other brides-to-be, who have not yet reached this stage, know what types of things they can expect from their wedding cake tastings.

Cupcake Samples

If you're expecting a mini replica of your cake for a tasting, think again. The tasting is done at your free consultation, typically within a few weeks of when you first speak to the decorator. This means you have only provided a few details of what you want your cake to look like. The consultation not only includes the tasting, but also a sit-down with the decorator to properly discuss what you are looking for. Simple cupcake samples will

be provided so you can try the flavors and get an idea of what your cake will taste like.

Be Specific About Flavor Choices

Make sure to provide specific flavor expectations to the decorators. I told the first

decorator I would like to try a cookies and cream flavor. I expected a white cake with oreo cookies added, similar to the look of a cookies and cream chocolate bar. Instead, the decorator baked a chocolate cake with a vanilla frosting mixed with the oreos. It was not at all what I expected, especially since I do not like plain chocolate cake. The fault is not entirely hers, however, as I also never specified further what I was looking for. It's important to be as specific as possible with your flavor expectations so you can taste something that most closely resembles what your wedding cake flavor will be on your big day.

One or Two Flavors

Think of a flavor or two you'd like to try. The decorator will bake 2 cupcakes in each flavor, one for you and one for your fiance. It allows you to determine whether or not you like that flavor or would like to go with something else. I chose more unique options for my tastings, since I already know what the average vanilla and chocolate cakes taste like.

Be sure to ask if multiple flavors are allowed. Some bakers may only allow one flavor option. The first decorator offered one flavor only, and provided one cupcake each to my fiance and I. Since the sample wasn't what I expected, it didn't give me the opportunity to try any other option from her. When I spoke to the second decorator, I made sure to ask about multiple flavors. She provided 2 flavor choices for the consultation for free, and said she could make additional flavors for a discounted price. I stuck with the 2 free flavors, choosing peanut butter for my fiance and the cookies and cream again for me. We got lucky, however, as both flavors were exactly what we wanted, and she actually provided 2 additional flavors at no charge. She had them left from a cake tasting the day before, and figured she'd let us try some more flavor options from her to get a better idea of what she offered. I was pleasantly surprised.

Lots of Questions

Expect lots of questions about not only your cake, but also your overall wedding color scheme and the amount of guests you are needing to feed. The decorator wants to incorporate as much of your ideas into your cake as possible. Our cake is going to be half traditional and half camo. Being asked questions helped us narrow down what we really wanted, as well as didn't want, on our cake. We are wanting a mossy oak camo pattern, for example. At first, the decorator was asking whether or not we wanted a traditional army camo, or something different. She also asked about the various methods for applying the pattern. Did we want her to create it using buttercream, make it out of fondant, or use an edible image? The fondant and buttercream options would create an army camo look. Specifying that we wanted the mossy oak pattern quickly helped us all determine that an edible image would work best.

Cake Topper

We were also asked about our cake topper. Whether or not you include one plays an important role in the cake making process. The decorator needs to be sure the topper will fit well on the cake. The size is another important aspect. There needs to be a piece for each guest, usually meaning between 50 and 250 servings are needed, depending on how many people will be in attendance. This will determine how large the cake is, and even how many tiers are required. You can also choose a large sheet cake if a traditional tiered cake isn't what you want. Considering the specifics and knowing some answers about your cake and colors will help make the consultation go smoother.

Providing Pictures

It is best if you have a few pictures on hand of cakes that look similar to what you want for yours. This allows you to show the decorator what you want so together the three of you can determine which aspects should stay and which need changing. For example, the cake may look similar in overall design, but you probably have a different color choice in mind, or would like to remove some of the decoration. Some things will need to be done to make the cake all your own. Pictures of your bouquet are also necessary if you want to incorporate flowers into your cake. You should show a picture of your cake topper as well. Either print a few pictures out to show, or simply show them from your phone. Just be sure to have them ready in a folder so you aren't spending tons of time searching through countless photos.

One Hour Consultation Time

A wedding consultation is not usually a quick in and out visit. Our first consultation took about a half hour. She asked fewer questions than the second baker, however, and we only had one cake flavor to try. Our second consultation lasted just over an hour. This is what you should expect if you have multiple picture samples to show, as well as two or more cupcake flavors to try. By the end of the hour, you and your fiance should have a narrowed down idea of how your cake will look, and the decorator will know what is expected of them.

Cake Price Estimate

At the end of the consultation, the decorator will have a good idea in mind of how much ingredients, materials, and time will be put into your cake. This allows them to provide you with a basic price estimate. This is just an estimate, however, and may change if you later decide to make alterations, or the decorator finds that a certain aspect may cost less than she initially thought, such as the pricing for edible images. The estimate from the first decorator we met was $225, including the delivery fee, and would have had all 3 tiers the same flavor. The estimate from the second cake decorator was $220, including delivery, and would incorporate one flavor into the top two tiers, and a second flavor into the bottom tier. It provides 75 servings. The larger the cake and the more details, the more money it will cost.

Deposit to Hold the Date

Each decorator asks for an upfront deposit to hold the date. You don't have to give this to every one you see, however. It is paid to whichever decorator you have settled on, typically after at least a few consultations have been completed. We found our decorator after the second consultation, since she met both our flavor expectations, and went above and beyond with additional samples and questions asked. Deposit amounts vary for each decorator, but ours was 20% of the total cake price estimate, so $40.

Attending a cake tasting goes a lot smoother if you have an idea of what to expect. Showing up unprepared may make the tasting a bit awkward as you stumble through some questions and fail to answer everything the decorator needs to know. With this information in mind, prepare yourselves for the tasting and show up ready with answers to questions about your cake design, color scheme, and cake topper, and have pictures available to show what you mean. After a few consultations, you should be able to find the best decorator for the job, and have your wedding cake all planned out for your big day.