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Wedding Cake Considerations

When choosing your dream wedding cake, you need to consider more than just the design or flavour.

Allergies

As some of your guests may have allergies or special dietary requirements, you may want to check that your cake maker is able to make a special tier for them.

how to transport the wedding cake

If your cake maker is unable to transport the wedding cake to the venue or you have decided to make your own wedding cake, you will probably be wondering how you can transport the wedding cake safely to the venue. Help is at hand - if you follow these simple guidelines you can be assured your cake will arrive at the venue in one piece.

• The cake should be constructed onto a sturdy cake base. Very heavy cakes would be safer on ¼ inch plywood.
• The wedding cake should be placed on a flat non-slip surface within the car – do not put it on the back seat. Placing the cake base on a piece of foam or bubble wrap is an excellent tip and will prevent the cake from moving around.
• A sturdy cake box can be used as long as it’s the right size. If the box is too big, the cake base will move around increasing the risk of damage to the cake. Most cake boxes come with a cardboard surround that is cut to size to fill the gap between the base and the box.
• Wedding cakes with pillars should be transported separately and then assembled at the venue.
• If you are transporting a centrally stacked wedding cake – you will be fine for up to three tiers. Any additional tiers should be transported separately and put together when you arrive.
• Wedding cakes should not be transported in hot weather unless you have an air conditioned car.
• Remember to pack a repair kit in case of any damage plus any final decorations/icing required to put it together at the venue.
• Ask the venue if you can borrow a hostess trolley to transport the cake from the car to the stand where it will be situated in the venue – watching out for bumps. It’s too risky to carry – no matter how strong you are!
• Once the cake is in place – assemble additional tiers, make any repairs and relax.

How to cut the cake

Traditionally, the wedding cake is cut after the wedding breakfast. If time restricts, some photographers will ask couples to pose for a photograph before the meal.

The bride & groom hold the knife with the groom’s right hand placed over the bride’s and together they cut the first slice from the bottom layer. Traditionally, the bride & groom will place this slice onto a plate and cut it in two before feeding a piece to each other – the groom feeding the bride first. This gesture symbolises their commitment to provide for one another.

How to store a wedding cake

Traditionally, the top tier of a wedding cake is kept and either eaten on the 1st anniversary or when the first child is christened. Fruit cakes can usually be stored in an airtight container for a year as they mature with age. Other types of wedding cake can usually be frozen although it is recommended you check storage suitability with your cake maker. For example cakes frozen before decorating can’t be re-frozen.

To ensure your cake is stored correctly, follow the following steps:

1. To freeze: Remove all decorations.
2. Cover the cake board in aluminium foil. Place the cake on the board and put in the freezer for 20 minutes to help the icing to set.
3. Remove the cake from the freezer and wrap in cling film before wrapping with a further two layers of foil.
4. Put the cake in an airtight container and put back in the freezer
5. To defrost: Take the cake from the freezer and place in the fridge for two hours. Leave the cake wrapped for the time being.
6. Remove the wrapping and put the cake back in the fridge until it is fully defrosted.
7. Leave the cake to stand at room temperature before the cake is eaten.

nofreetime tips

• If you’ve seen a picture of your dream wedding cake, ask a cake maker if they are able to replicate it. A good cake maker will be able to do this.
• Why not use your cake to double up as your wedding desert. Not only will this save money, it also ensures that everyone gets to eat a piece of your wonderful cake. You will need to check with the venue & caterers to confirm they are happy for you to do this.
• Find out whether any of your guests have any specific allergies or dietary requirements and notify your supplier. Perhaps one tier can be made specifically for those with any allergies.
• If you make your own or buy from a store you should note that fruit cakes cannot be tiered on top of sponge cakes, but sponge can be tiered on top of fruit cake.