Alice Lombardi, owner of Bean Counter Bakery, knows that a wedding cake “is the most important cake you’ll ever have.” Adopt her perspective to create your dream wedding cake.       

Alice recognizes that the entire wedding cake experience should be tailored to each couple. “For example, not everyone schedules a custom consult,” she says. “Some order cake samples online and eat them at home.” Some like to spoil their guests with dessert enhancements, others take a more simplistic approach. No matter the route, Alice finds that hiring someone you trust, staying mindful of the cake essentials, (taste, design, and structural integrity), and understanding the options make all the difference.               

Hire someone you trust

When ordering a wedding cake, don’t underestimate the collaborative process that will develop between you and your baker. The relationship created will shine through in your wedding cake. Alice says, “The cake needs to have a personality, just like the couple.” The better a baker understands a couple, the better the couple will be represented in their cake. The best way to do this, Alice says, “is by talking. That way I can get an idea of what their style is.” She pulls “inspiration from their wedding invitations, the bride’s gown, their venue. Even the color of their clothes tells me a lot about who they are.” Establishing an initial connection will build trust. The more you trust your baker, the better your experience will be.     

Taste, design, and structural integrity

Alice explains that cakes should be designed with these three elements in mind, “starting with taste. What’s on the inside is as important as what’s on the outside,” she says. “You’re spending a lot of money on a wedding cake; it shouldn’t be just a showpiece.” Eliminating artificial flavoring and using fresh products are some ways Alice produces delicious flavors. Nonetheless, a wedding cake should be a spectacle. Designing one that beautifully mimics the wedding’s theme can really liven the room.

The structural integrity of the cake comes into play during its transportation. Whether you’re picking the cake up, or it’s being delivered, ensuring that it stays intact is a must. “Maintaining a safe temperature zone,” Alice says, plays a huge role. “A wedding cake is designed to sit out at air-conditioned temperature for four to six hours. If the cake will be outside, that time is cut in half. If there’s a heat wave, that time is cut in half again.” Alice reminds couples to work through the logistics of the cake drop-off.            

Know the budget-friendly details 

Alice finds “that many couples like the look of a three-tiered cake, but the same design can easily be incorporated into a single-tier or two-tiered cake.” These smaller cakes could be supplemented with sheet cakes, cupcakes, or mini desserts, which can be less expensive alternatives to feed a crowd. Can is the keyword. Alice explains that “the more variety of desserts you offer, the more your guests will take.” If you choose to incorporate three different flavors of supplemental cupcakes, for example, assume that every guest will try every flavor. This quickly drives up the number of desserts you’ll have to purchase. To avoid an escalation in price, Alice recommends sticking with two flavors.     

With her years of experience, Alice has encountered many couples and created many wedding cakes. To her, the client’s trust, a cake’s taste, its design, its structural integrity, and a client’s knowledge of the details can elevate the process. Consider her inside scoop as you embark on your wedding cake creation.

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