How To Choose A Wedding Cake, According To The Naked Foodie

“I didn’t know that so much thought goes into making wedding cakes,” Kryz Uy said after her caking tasting session with her then fiancé Slater Young during a wedding planning trip to Manila to visit suppliers.

Kryz is not alone in her sentiments about wedding planning, as couples have more to think about perhaps than ever before. On one hand, this means brides and grooms to-be have seemingly endless options (literally thousands of cake designs and suppliers to choose from), and on the other hand it means that first-choice suppliers can be booked years in advance. While choosing a supplier to create your dream wedding cake is one of many boxes to tick off your planning checklist, it is certainly an important decision. The wedding cake is almost always one of couples’ fondest memories as they flip through wedding photos while reminiscing about their special day, many years later.

 

Kryz Uy and Slater Young at their wedding. Photo: @nakedpatisserie

 

READ: #RealWeddings: This Bride DIY-ed Her Shoes And Replaced A Traditional Cake With A Donut Tower!

 

When it comes to choosing your dream wedding cake, here are some worthwhile tips to take into consideration:  

 

Book your cake supplier in advance.

For some couples, choosing a cake is an afterthought, though some first-choice cake suppliers have to turn down clients due to a high volume of bookings on their wedding date. Give yourself peace of mind by booking your cake supplier 9-12 months in advance (or even further in advance if your engagement period affords you the time).

Photo: @nakedpatisserie

 

Decide from the beginning if you want a fondant cake or a naked cake.

Too many options can cause confusion, and once you choose your motif and you have a clear vision for the vibe of your wedding it will be much easier to fill in the rest of the pieces of the puzzle. Pinterest is going to be your new best friend, so utilize it and show your supplier pegs so they can better understand your preferred aesthetic (but do not ask them to copy the peg). Suppliers like clients with strong visions who know what they want because it helps them to properly execute your wedding and give you the fairytale wedding that you’ve always dreamed of having.

Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash

 

Choose a trusted supplier.

The last thing you want to be worrying about on your wedding day is if the cake will make it on time to your reception, if it will be dry or moist, or if the design is going to live up to your expectations. The best way to calm your nerves and enjoy the most important day of your life, is to leave your wedding in the hands of reputable suppliers. There’s a reason why suppliers always say, “thanks for the trust!” to their clients. That trust isn’t given freely—they’ve earned it with a proven track record.

 

Assign a meaning to your wedding cake.

Grandiose fondant cakes are typically made of styrofoam covered in fondant and aren’t edible on the inside (or have one edible slice for cake cutting). I call these cakes “monuments” because, while it’s not your traditional wedding cake it is a beautiful grand ornament that will compliment the styling of the reception. However, for many people, they want their cake to be an edible dessert that will be cut and served for guests to enjoy. If this is what you’re looking for, go with a naked cake or a buttercream cake that can be sliced not only during the cake cutting ceremony but also can be served to guests after the meal. You have to decide what your wedding cake means to you, and that will help make the choice much easier. There is no right or wrong decision, it just depends on your preference and vision.

Photo by Thomas AE on Unsplash

 

Ensure that your cake is cohesive with the overall vibe of the reception.

If you’re having an intimate rustic garden wedding reception with 50 guests, it’s unlikely that a 7-tier grandiose fondant cake is going to be the most ideal choice. Conversely, if you’re having a ballroom wedding reception with 200 people or more, the ballroom ceiling is the limit and your cake can be as grand as you dream it to be. You also should consider if you want your cake to be seen from a 180 degree angle (just the front) or if you want the cake to be seen from 360 degrees. Keep in mind that the latter is typically more expensive because it requires more materials and labor. This is also an important point to discuss with your event stylist.

Photo by Rodolfo Quirós from Pexels

 

Lead photos from @nakedpatisserie