Custom Wedding Cake Research

Choosing A Baker

When you interview potential bakers, there are certain elements that should be addressed. Ideally, you should be able to see pictures of previous cakes, a resume of experience and client references, but those pieces are not most crucial, as a distrustful vendor can forge these aspects. Vendors will never show you a negative review. You can learn a lot more at a cake tasting about your baker than how the cake tastes. Below are some tips to make your baker selection a lot easier.

• 1. Reviews and Recommendations

Nothing speaks for itself more than customers reviews from those who have experienced the entire process. Check out our reviews at Wedding Wire. We have the most cake reviews in the country! Come see why we are number one!

• 2. Awards and Accolades

When companies win recognition by surpassing a set of expectations in their competitive field, it is an indication of hardwork, a dedication to quality and a passion to set industry standards. Recognition also is a great indication that the company is keeping pace within its respective industry. We are very proud of our awards and work hard to compete in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas. You can view our awards as listed by year.

• 3. Price

The number one question on any bride's mind – price. Make sure to examine what you are getting with your order, not just the "cost per serving." Inquire about the number of tiers, fake cakes (know as faux cakes), cake and icing flavor, décor and design. Each of these elements should be accounted for in your cake bid. Keep in mind that the average price per cake slice in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex is about $5.55 per serving for bridal cake (five top bakeries' base prices). Also, remember that the price should not be the bottom line, because there are ways to cut costs and still get the baker you want. Find out which extra items are included and determine if those items are a priority for your wedding cake.

• 4. Taste

Most bakers do, and should, offer free cake tastings. We suggest if you do not enjoy taste of the cake, immediately cross that bakery off your list without regard to the deal. 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"? Do not let that be part of your guests' experience at your weddding.

• 5. Cake Servings

How much cake do you really need? Some bakers will try to oversell the amount of cake necessary. 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, if you choose to have a groom's cake. For example: If you expect 200 guests and each guest receives a single slice, then the bridal cake can account for 140 slices and 60-70 slices of the groom's cake. But always make sure you are comfortable with the amount of cake and the budget. Some brides do not mind having leftover cake, but it can save a significant amount of money to consider how much cake is needed.

• 6. To Faux or not to Faux

Fake (Faux) Cakes, are necessary in most instances. Fake cakes offer the opportunity to have a larger cake without spending extra money on excess cake portions. Fake cakes are very cost effective; however, some bakers' fakes are almost as expensive as real cakes. We use fakes not just on the bottom tier, but throughout.Your cake can have a fake second tier and bottom tier if it helps youaccommodate your guests. More importantly, it helps you get a larger cake with less wallet!

• 7. Organization is Key

Was the baker on time, friendly, organized, efficient? 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. A baker should be precise. A consultation with a professional should take approximately 35-45minutes. But please keep in mind, organization works both ways. The best consultation occurs when both the bride and the baker are organized and the bride has a good understanding of what she really likes. Pre-Research is the key for a great consultation! It helps us help you!

• 8. 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. Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing wrong with a 'home-based baker!" We did it for 15 years and very proud of it, however reputable bakers are generally more equipped with the tools that allow a broader selection and generally have vast resources at their disposal.

• 9. Visual Appeal

"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. When you walked into the bakery showroom…was it a "wow" experience….?

• 10. Delivery

Make sure to ask..... WHO does deliveries 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. We are very blessed to have the resources to acquire such a delivery van! (link to pick of van..) Most bakeries have regular vans, but you can rest assured when 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. The Cake Guys are available to deliver throught the metroplex. Because we have a refrigerated van and an insulated fleet of vehicles, your cake delivery is extremely safe. Distance is not a problem, so please don't hesitate to include us in as one of your wedding vendors!

• 11. First Impressions

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.

• 12. Information

Does the baker present enough information to make the process convenient? At The Cake Guys we do our best to offer you tons of info. Our FAQ page is very helpful because hopefully we can answer questions and save you time! Our prices are listed on line so you can comparison shop. By publishing prices we hope this helps you build a reasonable budget for your cakes!

• 13. Availability

Make sure the baker you desire is available on the date of your wedding. You can check our availability below.

• 14. Did you meet with the owner of the bakery or an employee? Did they give you their absolute attention?
• 15. Did you enjoy the cake consultation experience? You only do this once, so enjoy it! Cake is a critical piece in the pursuit of happiness!

Order Minimum

The current order minimum is $850 for wedding cakes. This minimum does not include special orders, dessert or sheet cake orders. We regret having to place a minimum on orders, however, we limit our wedding cake services to five or six weddings per weekend, making it easier to focus on each client. Since we have a limited number of available openings per week, we must account for our expenses. We appreciate your consideration. Current market prices in the area are way above our standard pricing. We work to maintain fair pricing for all of our clients. Our quality is the highest compared to any designer in the DFW area and our price point aims to accommodate you, the customer. If the minimum is not within your budget or if you are having a smaller wedding, visit our Sweet Inspiration wedding cake discount packages.

If you are interested in a custom wedding cake and have reviewed all the information about order minimums and you have developed some ideas about wedding cake design, please fill out the consultation form. We will contact you with dates and times to schedule your personal cake consultation. Each consultation will last about 45minutes.

Consultations only apply to custom wedding cake orders.

• There are eight flavors to sample.
• White w/white
• White w/amaretto cream
• White w/strawberry cream
• White w/raspberry fruit
• White w/tres leches cream filling
• White w/keylime cream cheese

All cakes come with our delicious buttercream cream cheese icing. Each consultation can seat between 4-6 guests. Please limit children.

During the consultation, we will go over design, a complete drawing, a contract and any questions you might have. At the end of the consultation you will be given the entire contract to take with you and discuss with your family and those involved in the decision making. If you would like, you can secure your date and leave the deposit that day of the consultation. For more information, read How to Choose A Baker or Request A Consultation.

Availability