Texas Wedding Guide: The Source for interior design products, services and fine home furnishings.

As an anxious bride-to-be, there are so many ideas swirling through your head, many starting with the question: “How do I know which vendor is right for me?” Whether you’re choosing your venue, your wedding planner or your DJ, it’s not only the service that counts, but the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve selected your perfect match. The same holds true with hiring your wedding cake baker. Our expert, Chad Fitzgerald – co-owner and designer for The Cake Guys bakery - has a handful of trusted tips and worthy words of advice for ensuring you’ll be cutting into your dream wedding cake on your Big Day.

Schedule a baker and bride cake-tasting session, says Chad. During this encounter, you will gain a perception of their personality, business ethic and client-relationship skills. These are the pertinent elements that a bride won’t find from a baker’s resume, cake photos or website, he adds. If possible, request to have your consultation with the head baker, rather than an assistant. You want to meet face to face with the person in charge. During your meeting, not only will you enjoy a taste-testing of delicious cakes, but you will also be able to interview the professional with these top priority questions.

1. Price
The number one question on any bride’s mind – money. Make sure to examine exactly what you are getting for your money, not just the “cost per serving.” Elements to inquire about include the number of tiers, fake cakes (also know as faux cakes) cake and icing flavor, décor and design – all things that should be accounted for in your cake bid. Keep im mind that all the the mean price in DFW per slice is $4.55 per serving for bridal cake (9 top bakeries base prices averaged.) Also, remember that price should not be the bottom line, because there are ways to cut cost and still get the baker you want. You just need to find out what all the "extras" are and determine if you are willing to leave those little things out....

2. Taste
Most bakers do (and should) offer free cake tastings. Chad’s piece of advice? If you don’t enjoy the way the cake tastes, immediately cross them off your list no matter what a good deal is. Remember, the cake is for your guests and it is a center point of all receptions. How many times have you heard..."it sure was pretty, but tasted horrible..."

3. Cake Servings
How much do you really need? Some bakers, he advises, will often try to “oversell” the amount of cake you will need. Consider your guests appetites if you are serving a full dinner and/or alcohol as well. A very good rule of thumb is one piece of cake for each guest......BETWEEN the bridal and groom's cake. example: guest count is 200, do about 140 bridal and 60-70 groom's cake...etc... But always make sure you are comfortable with the amount of cake and the budget. Some people don't mind having left over cake, but it can save you considerably to watch how much cake is actually ordered.

4. To Faux, or not to Faux?
Fake Cakes – Fake, or Faux Cakes, are a must in most instances. Fake cakes offer the opportunity to have a nice size cake without having to spend extra on wasted cake. Fake cakes are very cost effective; however some baker’s fakes are almost as much as the real cake.

5. Organization is Key
Was the baker on time, friendly, organized, efficient? Chad suggests that your baker should provide you with a drawing/sketching of your cake design – as well as your cake details and pricing information in the form of a written contract. This is essential in keeping everyone involved on the same page, with the same expectations.

6. Sanitation
Most bakeries book multiple weddings each weekend. Make sure to inquire about their kitchen, appliances, equipment and resources to ensure that your cake will be completed in a clean and sanitized environment that complies with industry standard sanitization requirements.

7. Visual Appeal
Chad says it best: “When guests come into your reception...the FIRST thing they see or go to is the cake!” Does the cake design, color, attention to detail and over all presence leave you speechless? It should.

8. Delivery
Make sure to ask..... who does devliveries and what kind of vehicle. A refrigerated van or truck is a must in this DFW weather, especially in the spring and summer, early fall. Most bakeries have regular vans, but you can rest assured if your cakes are delivered in a refrigerated vehicle! Keep in mind that each reputable baker has a delivery fee. The standard fee is anywhere from $50 - $100. It is better safe than sorry and a reputable baker will make sure that your cake arrives safely.

9. Personal Feelings & Preferences
After your consultation, do you walk away feeling confident in the baker’s presentation? Did he or she listen to all of your ideas, questions and concerns? Was everything addressed thoroughly and to your expectations? You should be able to walk away with the peace of mind that this particular baker is worth your investment, knowing that he or she will be able to produce the cake of your dreams while maintaining the discussed budget and price point.
 

For more info from The Cake Guys, visit them online at TheCakeGuys.com

• Miss Bliss's blog