Back to Wedding Basics Blog #16: Cake Tasting Tips

By now, you will have met with prospective bakers and have chosen the one that you feel will fit well with your wedding.  The next step, after the meeting and signing any official contracts, is the cake tasting.  Now, who doesn’t love to eat a variety of delicious cake samples?

For a successful cake tasting, here are some helpful tips to remember:

1. Prepare

Prior to your meeting, prepare yourself ahead of time.  Bring photos of cake inspirations, the topper that you have already chosen and/or decorations that will go onto the cake, a fabric swatch from your wedding gown; anything that will help the baker put into perspective the type of cake design you and your fiance(e) are aiming for.  It’s also handy to bring a notepad along to write down each flavor and each of their pros and cons.

Another good way to prepare is to prepare your stomach.  Don’t arrive on an empty stomach.  Eat a meal and treat this as the “dessert course”.  Also, ensure that your palate is void of any tastes so that the flavors of the cakes, icings, or fillings won’t be skewed.  To do this, drink plenty of water.

2. Budget

One of the first things to discuss with your baker is your budget.  You may have already mentioned it at one point, but it’s always a good idea to bring it up again so that they do not lose site of the budget that they have to work within.  From there, they can offer you specific flavors and designs that fall into your price range.

3. Eat!

Best part of the entire meeting.  Eat and allow yourselves to savor each and every flavor.  Don’t rush into the next cake so you can truly get the effect of the current one, whether or not you like it, and if you have any questions about it.  If you are wanting to be more meticulous about tastes, you can ask your baker to offer you the cakes, icings, and fillings separately so you can experience each one on their own.  Also, when choosing flavors, try to keep your guests in mind.  Some may not like unique flavors, so have some classic tastes as well.

Tip: Remember to take into account that certain cakes, icings, and fillings will cost more or cost less.  For example, a simple vanilla wedding cake with buttercream icing and a fudge filling may cost less as opposed to a decadent hazelnut latte wedding cake with fondant icing and fresh strawberries in between each layer.  Ask your baker for their prices and which cakes, icings, and fillings are pricier or less expensive.

4. Style

Depending on where this falls in your cake tasting, there will be a point where the overall style and look of your cake will be discussed.  This is where those photos and other inspirational elements come in.  A professional baker will be able to sketch out a possible design from what you specified and can show you a rough layout of your cake.  At that point, let them know if there are any changes that need to be made to the sketch.