Brides on a budget don't want to skimp on what guests really want to see--the cake!
The experts from Adrienne and Company Bakery and Cafe have advice for brides shopping for a cake. Adrienne Holland and Bernie Pasquantino explain the trends, colors and designs that are hot this year.
Couples may want to consider having a smaller tiered cake and supplemental sheet cakes to serve. This means everyone at the reception can have cake, and it keeps the cost down while still providing the big centerpiece for your family and friends.
Other suggestions:
-Keep the design simple and classic. If there is a specific, more detailed design desired, ask for one tier to be decorated accordingly instead of the entire cake.
-Stick to simple flavors like vanilla , chocolate or marble and add a fruit filling as opposed to exotic choices like pina colada or banana split cake.
-Use seasonal fresh flowers as decoration instead of sugar flower creations will save tremendously.
-If a bride is going for a towering cake but doesn't have a huge guest list, we can add "dummy" styrofoam layers to create height. In most cases the cost will be lower as long as the design isn't extremely detailed since the artwork on a cake is where the main expense usually comes from.
-Cool grooms cakes reflecting the grooms hobbies can get pretty involved, therefore expensive. Consider having a one dimensional cutout of say, a "Louisville Cardinal head" as opposed to a 3-d version. It will still create a buzz at the reception without breaking the bank.
Advice for shopping for wedding cakes:
-Start shopping at least 3 to 6 months in advance.
-Taste the cake. We, as well as most other bakeries, provide a complimentary tasting and consultation for the whole family. After all, THIS is the super fun part of the wedding planning process and a great way to get the groom involved.
-Make sure the bakery/designer provides lots of pictures of cakes that they have actually created to get a sense for what they can provide. A designer's hand drawn sketch is something that is great as well, that way there is a clear picture of what the cake will look like.
-Wedding cakes are usually priced per serving starting at about $3.50 per guest and depending on specifics, can go up from there. Keeping in mind that not everyone will eat cake at the reception, a rule of thumb is to reduce the number of serving by 10-15% so there isn't a ton of cake left over.
-Most bakeries require a deposit of about 1/2 of the price at the time of booking, allowing for the balance to be paid within a few weeks of the reception.
-Finally, at the consultation, the information the baker/designer will need is:
-Venue choice, date and time of the reception (for delivery purposes)
-Approximate number of guests
-Color swatches, Florist choice and possibly any pictures you've gathered
-A general budget is helpful Trends in cake
-Different shapes as opposed to simply round, such as hexagon, petal shaped, square, or a combination of a couple shapes.
-Lots of bling! Edible shimmer, blown glitter, sparkly brooches or toppers and rhinestone or crystal banding.
-Cakes with colored bases. For example, a cake in robin's egg blue or blush pink as opposed to simple white.
-Personalization! Whether it's a monogrammed topper or a favorite song piped around the tiers, anything to make the cake reflect the bride and groom is big right now. We've even sculpted figures of the two AND their dog to sit on top of the wedding cake.
-Fresh flowers. Flowers bring color and life to the wedding cake and has been a trend for some time now.
-Cupcake towers. With cupcakes, there can be lots of flavors, no cutting fees, and it gives the impression of an easy going, fun and unique atmosphere while still providing an awesome traditional centerpiece.
-NOT Trending: tall pillars, fountains with pink water, bridges with people.
Adrienne & Co. Bakery and Café
129 W. Court Ave.
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: (812) 282-2665
Fax: (877) 648-4329
http://cakestoday.com
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