Questions to Ask a Cake Designer

While it’s sometimes overlooked as a simple décor detail, the wedding cake is a signature symbol of the overall wedding design. It often ties a theme together and certainly makes a statement. Whatever design you select, be sure your wedding cake reflects your personality and style!

Here are a few questions to ask your potential cake designer before hiring him or her to craft this integral part of your wedding décor.

Event Essentials

Are you available to design a cake for my wedding date?
How many cakes do you schedule to be delivered in one day? How are these deliveries handled?
What are the fees for delivery and setup for the cake? Do you decorate the cake table as well?
What is our back-up plan if the cake is damaged in transit to my reception site?
Do you provide cake toppers, cake knives, etc.? If so, what are the fees/prices for these accessories?
How do you price your cakes? By the slice? Per person? Does the cost vary depending on the cake design?
What is your minimum per-person/per-slice cake cost?
How far in advance should I order my cake?
What is your payment structure? What deposit do you require? When is my final payment due?
Are there additional fees I should be aware of that are not included in your proposal?
What is your refund policy if I decide to cancel my order?
What if I am not happy with the cake?
When can I expect to receive a contract from you?

Resume Check

How long have you been in business? Are you licensed?
How many weddings have you done?
Where did you receive your training?
Can you provide contact information for 3-4 of your recent brides who I may contact for references?

Cake Design

Can I view a portfolio of your past wedding cakes? Did you make all the cakes in this portfolio?
What are your cake specialties? Are there any cake designs you are particularly proud of?
Can you design a custom cake to match my wedding theme, color and/or design? Does a custom design cost extra?
Can you design a cake from a picture?
If I am not exactly sure of the cake design I would like, are you able to offer suggestions that will fit into my wedding design?
What flavors and fillings do you offer?
What ingredients do you use? Are you able to offer organic, gluten-free, vegan, nut-free options?
Do you offer buttercream and fondant icings?
What icings would you recommend I consider for my desired cake design?
Can you create sugar paste, gum paste or chocolate flowers or other designs for my cake?
If I decide to have fresh flowers on my cake, will you work with my florist to obtain and place them on the cake or will you purchase the flowers yourself?
Will you preserve the top tier of my cake for my first anniversary or do you provide a special cake for our first anniversary instead? If you provide a special anniversary cake, is this an additional charge or included in our cake price?
Can you make a Groom’s Cake as well? What is your groom’s cake pricing structure?
Do you offer a tasting? If so, is there a fee?
How early is the cake made prior to the wedding? Do you freeze your cakes?

Wedding Cake Helpful Tips

Tip 1 – Aim to hire your wedding cake designer 6-8 months before your wedding. The best cake designers are in high demand and book up quickly. Be sure to hire this vendor relatively early on in your wedding planning.

Tip 2 – Be sure to hire a cake designer who specializes in wedding cakes. Your cake designer should have received special wedding pastry training.

Tip 3 – If the price of your wedding cake is making you consider offering a display of milk and chocolate chip cookies instead, try this money saving trick. Opt to order a small designer cake for display. Then purchase a less expensive sheet cake in the same flavor to serve your guests. The serving staff usually cuts the cake out of your guests’ sight in the food prep area. No one will know if they’re eating the display cake or the sheet cake!

To help you prepare for your meeting with your cake designers, I’ve created the Questions to Ask a Cake Designer guide for you to reference.

Download your Questions to Ask a Cake Designer guide!

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