Tip Sheet
Sweet Talk
Wedding cake is not just cake; it's a work of art. Talented designer Colette Peters of Colette's Cakes offers this advice for finding your dream creation.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR.
It's best to order the cake at least six months in advance.
seek out your soul mate. To save time and aggravation, choose a cake decorator whose portfolio reflects the style of cake you're after-whether it be a fancy, floral white masterpiece or a funky, futuristic, topsy-turvy tower. Many cake decorators post pictures on their Websites, which can help you know you've made the right decision.
DO THE MATH.
The size of the cake should be appropriate for the number of guests. If you're having a small wedding but must have an elaborate cake, ask the baker to substitute Styrofoam for some of the tiers, which will give you the size and shape you want without the expense of all that uneaten cake. For big weddings, order a separate sheet cake to match your display wedding cake and have the former sliced in the kitchen-your guests won't notice the difference.
GET CREATIVE.
Even if you don't have a particular cake in mind, show your cake designer things that inspire your style-from magazine photos to flowers and even a fabric swatch from your wedding gown. It's also best to know the exact color scheme of the wedding before planning your cake.
NARROW IT DOWN.
Before you go in for your tasting-they should always offer you one, and it should always be free-call ahead to let the cake decorator know your top three flavor choices to make sure they'll be available when you come in. Good bakers will bake the cakes fresh for the tasting and don't usually have that many flavors of cake lying around.
Email
PrintFrom the Summer 2006 New York Wedding Guide
