What cake to choose?
Perhaps the first decision to make is what type of wedding cake to have. This may determine which cake designer you choose.

The traditional wedding cake is a rich fruit cake with thick icing. It's either square or round and comes in two or three tiers.These tiers can be separated by pillars or 'stacked' on top of each other which is more of an American style. The traditional cake is generally decorated with icing, and perhaps sugar or fresh flowers.

If you like the style of a traditional cake, but not the idea of fruit cake, a traditional cake can be made with other fillings. How about a chocolate, lemon, carrot or vanilla sponge cake? Or, you might choose to have a combination of fillings to give guests a choice. Fruit cake is generally heavier, but if your cake maker supports the tiers properly, it can be used as a top tier.

There are some very creative cake designers around the country who can make wonderful novelty cakes. This is a great idea if you're having a themed wedding. Perhaps you might choose to have a cake with images of the sea, or in the shape of a stack of suitcases. A talented novelty cake maker will be able to show you a selection of designs, and work with your ideas.

If you want to have something completely different, how about a stack of fairy cakes or miniature pavlovas? You could choose to follow french tradition and opt for a croquembouche, or even just have tiers of wonderful puddings.

Ordering your wedding cake
Do order your cake in good time, as a multi-tiered cake can take months to make and it will need to be made and iced in different stages.

When ordering your cake, your options are:

• Buy a standard cake (and have it specially decorated)

•  Have the cake made by a specialist

• Have the cake made by a relative or friend and then iced professionally

• Have the cake entirely made and iced by a relative or friend

• Order your cake from the local bakery

If you decide to have your cake made professionally, make sure you shop around. Some cake designers, for example, will specialise in sugarcraft and make wonderful tiered cakes with incredible designs in sugar, while others might specialise in chocolate and patisserie, such as the croquembouche. It's important to make the most of someone's talents. When you visit a cake designer, ask to see examples of other cakes they have created. You might also ask to taste a tiny sample. Take along any ideas you have and see what they suggest. A good cake designer will work with your ideas while also offering a few suggestions of their own.

Getting the cake on time
Ideally, a cake should be delivered to the reception venue unassembled and then the tiers put together in situ. This, however, will not work with a stacked cake which the cake designer will have to put together beforehand. Ask your cake designer how your cake should be transported - they will have done it plenty of times before! If your cake is arriving the day before the wedding, make sure your venue has somewhere safe to store it. Also, make sure they have a suitable cake stand and knife. Alternatively, your cake designer may be able to provide these items or hire them for you.

Decide how important the cake is to your celebration. From the beautifully decorated showstopper to a simple slab…and everything in between, there is a wide range to choose from. Your cultural traditions, style of wedding and budget will all influence your final choice.
 

Do some research. Ask recently married friends and family and co-workers for referrals. Word of mouth regarding service, quality and price can give you a good idea about cake decorators worth calling.

Cakes featured in magazines can certainly give you ideas about what you like. Remember though, a good decorator would prefer not to copy someone else's work but will use the ideas to design something for you.

Be flexible. Your dream cake could become your worst nightmare if it does not fit in with your style of wedding or your budget.

Budgeting...
Designer cakes will attract designer prices.
Prices can differ greatly from one geographic area to another. Other factors affecting the cost of the cake include the reputation and experience of the decorator, the complexity and time and skill required to create the cake, special ingredients and special props. The level of service from the first phone call to the set-up (and sometimes takedown) of the cake should also be factored in. All these facts should be considered when comparing the cost of custom cakes with those produced in volume at your local bakery or grocery store.

Booking your cake decorator...
If you know who you want to do your cake book the date well in advance. Custom cake designers will limit themselves to a relatively small number of cakes in any given week (sometimes only one!). Details of the cake design and flavours can be worked out at a later date.

Your decorator may not have a stand or prop featured in a magazine so be flexible on this issue.
As with most professionals, not every decorator is an expert in every technique or style. Be prepared to shop around for the right person and don't be afraid to ask for referrals.

Your consultation...
A good decorator will ask many questions in order to get a feel for the wedding and the personality of the couple. Bring color swatches if possible and know the type of flowers the florist plans to use. Bring photos, magazine clippings, a picture or drawing of the brides dress, the invitation/wedding stationary or anything else that may be used in the final design of the cake.
Have an idea of the number of guests you expect to attend the wedding as this will assist the decorator in recommending size of the cake.

Cake interviews take from one to two hours but become more difficult when too many people are involved.

The cake...
Cake photos in magazines will often feature 'fake' cakes made on Styrofoam dummies rather than actual cake. Actual cakes may not look quite so perfect.

If you opt for fresh flowers, choose ones that match the flowers used elsewhere and be aware that you are generally proceeding at your own risk regarding the safety of those flowers on food.
Perishable fillings and frostings are not suitable for cakes left on display for the entire wedding reception or at outdoor weddings. Be guided by your cake decorator as they are just as anxious as you are to have a great cake that will not only look good but taste good as well and be safe for consumption.

Contracts are often made months in advance. Remember to advise your suppliers of any changes that may affect the service they are providing.

At your reception location be sure that the person cutting the cake knows what your expectations are about portion sizes and any other special instructions regarding the top layer, topper, flowers etc.