Designing a Cake FAQ

Designing a Cake
FAQ
Designing a cake can be made a lot easier for both you and the cake designer if you can answer all these questions. It doesn't matter if you are looking at wedding cake designs, birthday cake ideas or special occasion cakes the questions are all the same. By looking at this information before making your appointment you will also have a clearer picture of what you want in a cake. This helps not only you but the cake artist as well.
Your designer will need your name and contact details to place on the order.
Lock in the Date. When is the celebration event?
You will need to know how much notice the cake designer needs when placing your order.

Is the event indoors or outdoors?

Will delivery of the cake be needed? If so what is the delivery time and address details?
You will need to be sure that you are aware of delivery charges and conditions.
If you are picking the cake up yourself agree on a pick up time.

Do you have a budget for your cake?
Do not be afraid of letting the designer know your budget, this can save a lot of time and they can quickly tell you about all your options to give you the best possible cake to fit your budget.
How many guests will the cake be serving?

What shape would you like the cake to be?
You will get more cake servings from a 10" square cake than a 10" round cake but quite often a square cake is more expensive to decorate.

How many tiers would you like the cake to be?

Do you require a kitchen cake?
A kitchen cake is often used when designing a cake for large weddings or when you are trying to keep your costs down. A kitchen cake is as the name suggests kept in the kitchen and sliced then served with the rest of the wedding or special occasion cake. It is not decorated just fondant covered to match the wedding or special occasion cake. Because it is not decorated it is cheaper and is a very effective way of feeding a lot of people or maybe budgeting with a one tier decorated wedding cake.

What flavor would you like the cake / cakes?

Do any of your guests have special dietary restrictions?

What is the theme of the occasion?

Do you have a scrapbook of cake ideas that you like?
This is a great resource when designing a cake. Image searches on the internet are a great place to start. Check if the designer is happy to copy another designers cake design. Be sure to check out cakecentral.com

Do you have any design elements you would like to include in your cake design?
This can be special colors, fabric swatches, ribbons or laces. Design details from bridal gowns, wedding or party invitations. Photographs, company logos or maybe you would like to highlight the quirky nature or hobbies of the person / people the cake is being designed for.
If you have fabric swatches, invitations, logos, ribbons etc please bring them to your appointment so that the designer can use them as a resource.

If it is a wedding cake do you intend to use fresh or sugar flowers?
Note that fresh and sugar flowers cannot be used together when designing a cake. The moisture from the fresh flowers will soften the sugar flowers.

If you are using fresh flowers will your florist be assembling them onto the cake?
You may be asked to supply your florists contact details.

Is there an inscription to be written on the cake?
Ensure the designer has all names spelt correctly.
Usually a deposit will need to be paid once the design has been agreed upon and balance paid in full before pick-up / delivery.
This also locks in your date, this is very important as some months are very busy and you may not be able to order a cake if you leave it too late.
Check what payment methods are available.

Discuss with the designer their cancellation policy