Before you go:

• Consider what is most important to you in a wedding cake - look or taste?
• If look is more important, scour your favorite wedding magazines and online references for pictures of the perfect cake. However, take note, the more elaborate the cake, the higher the price will be.
• Will you also be needing or wanting a groom's cake? If so, will this be served alongside the cake at the wedding or at the rehearsal dinner?
• Consult family and close friends for any allergies, specifically nut or berries. If your mom is allergic to nuts, you might want to reconsider that peanut butter filling.
• Tastings are typically by appointment only, though several local bakers do offer quarterly public tastings. Make sure you call ahead.

Questions to ask:

• Most of your questions will cover the taste: flavors of cake, flavors of fillings, and flavors of frosting available.
• Ask about the baker's production schedule. Will your cake be baked ahead and frozen or prepared fresh just before the big day?
• If your cake has multiple layers, as most do, can different layers have different flavors?
• Discuss your design preferences. Does the picture perfect cake (in your head) require heavy duty design or fondant frosting, both of which incur more labor charges?
• If your fiancé is unable to attend your tasting, will your baker provide a "to-go" tasting sample?
• How does your baker charge for delivery of your cake?
• If you want fresh flowers adorning every corner, are there any decoration charges for doing so?
• Does your baker provide or rent cake stands to make their creations stand-out?

• Keep all payment balance, deadline and contract information in one, easy to find place. And remember, no vendor is yours unless you have a signed contract in your hands.
• Ask for everything in writing. If during the sales process, your baker promises any extras or cost-cutting deals, make sure you can easily refer to that in an email, letter or contract.
• At the same time that you call in your final count to the caterer, call in your final count to the baker. Reserve one piece for every guest.
• Before you schedule your final delivery time, consider the season and the time of day. If you are hosting an outdoor reception in the summer, you will need to hold off the cake delivery as long as possible. Cakes melt just like ice in the heat of the summer.

• If fondant is out of your price range, can something similar be created in buttercream?
• If you have a large guest list, you may be able to opt for a smaller cake along with less expensive sheet cake for your remaining guests.
• Or, if you've always dreamed of a seven layer cake, but don't need 500 pieces, some bakers also offer the option of "faux layers" which consist of frosted Styrofoam, but create the illusion of a grand cake.
• No matter what the delivery charge, we always recommend that your baker deliver the cake. Some bakers will not even offer a "pick-up" option for wedding cakes. For those that do, just say "no." It is not worth the savings to put your wedding cake in the hands of inexperienced driver.