Talking Tiers

Your wedding cake is the centerpiece of your reception. All the guests wait patiently through the ceremony and first dance, imagining that first bite. Don’t let them down. Follow these suggestions to ensure your cake dreams don’t fall flat.

The key to getting the perfect cake is to understand the importance of getting your order in to the baker quickly. Pam Newberry, owner of Mobile, Alabama’s Buttercream Dreams Bakery, says that a lot of wedding timelines and planners suggest designing and ordering your cake six weeks to two months out from your wedding. Newberry suggests meeting with a baker at least three months ahead, and Buttercream Dreams even takes orders up to a year in advance. “We like to schedule a consultation with the bride for tasting, designing and a price quote before we take an order,” says Newberry. “However sometimes we book up and it takes a week or so for the bride and our schedules to allow for a consultation.” Consultations usually last an hour. She also comments that two or three consultations may be necessary. Planning ahead is key.

On the day of your consultation, Pam suggests coming prepared, though it’s OK if you need a few ideas. “Some couples come in and they know exactly what they want while others go through every book, picture, anything we can muster up for them to get ideas,” explains Newberry. Looking through magazines and wedding books beforehand will help you decide what you like, bring these photos to your consultation.  It is also important to have an idea of how many people will be attending, the location of the reception and any themes to the wedding. All of these things will affect the look and size of your cake.

Traditional style cakes are the trend right now, according to Newberry. “Brides are choosing simpler designs, even lacey and elegant designs.” Many brides are choosing to style their cakes after their wedding gowns. “We can do just about anything,” says Newberry. “We can make complicated designs using buttercream that look like fondant but tastes much yummier.”

Newberry also suggests buying the groom’s cake at the same bakery as the wedding cake. “Delivery time is the same, and it is one less thing to worry about on the day of your wedding.”  Another tip to making your wedding day less stressful: “You hired people to handle things at your wedding, so let them do their jobs and enjoy your day.”
 
Planning on keeping your top cake tier to enjoy on your first year anniversary? To keep your cake tasting as sweet as it was on your wedding day Pam has another helpful tip. Wrap the cake in multiple layers of plastic wrap. Make sure to freeze it in a stand-up or deep freezer. A refrigerator freezer doesn’t keep it as well. Two days before your anniversary move the cake to your fridge but don’t unwrap. The morning of your anniversary, unwrap the cake and keep on the counter to let it reach room temperature. Get your sweetie, open the champagne and dig in to your delicious cake. Make a toast--your marriage never tasted so good.          

Pam Newberry is the owner and manager of Buttercream Dreams Bakery. She can be contacted at (251)479-7433.