Whether ordering your wedding cake is the least of your worries, or it's high on the "must obsess over" list, you'd do well to do a little footwork when seeking out a baker. Here's a list of places to look for a cake baker, and the pros and cons of each.
Your caterer
Nine times out of 10, these folks can produce a delicious wedding cake. But just because you trust their take on poached salmon and penne a la vodka doesn't mean they're wedding cake wizards. Our advice? Be specific about your desires: during your meeting, show visual examples of what you like and ask to see pictures of past cakes. Then sample the wares.
Pro: Convenience
Con: May not be able to create your dream wedding cake design
Commercial or boutique bakery
Check out your neighborhood (supermarket or specialty) bakery to find out whether they make wedding cakes. While you may have to work with limited, simpler designs, commercial and boutique bakeries often cost less. On the other hand, while many bakeries may not provide the most complex designs, they often make up for it in the taste department, with a focus on ingredients and flavor.
Pros: Lower cost, great taste
Con: May not be able to create your dream wedding cake design
Custom wedding cake bakery
Seek out an independent wedding cake designer for the ultimate in design, ingredients, flavor and decoration. While this route will cost you more, wedding cake designers are passionate about their work and treat each confection like a work of art. This approach allows for personalization and robustly imaginative planning. Many couples use their cake to reflect certain characteristics or qualities, and a gifted cake designer is often the only one who can turn your vision into reality.
Pros: Great taste, can create your dream wedding cake design
Con: Higher cost
