b"JAIME DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHYThink beyond the traditional white wedding cake!Dont be afraid to experiment with bright colors, boldSARAH ROLLING PHOTOGRAPHYJESSICA BITTEL PHOTOGRAPHY shapes, dramatic HAVE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT, TOO! textures, and more.Chances are youve been visualizing every wedding day detailfrom the length of your veil to the reception playlist and, of course, the most delicious part of your nuptials: your cake! QUESTIONS TO ASKThe cake is undoubtedly the center of attention mid-reception! It is a collective masterpieceDo you have a portfolio? created by the bride and groom, along with a savvy baker and decorator. A moist, fluffy layerAre your designsencased in rich fondant and exquisite design, this facet of the wedding has grown increasing- customizable? ly popular and important. Each wedding cake is as unique as the couple that designed it. ThisCan you match our colors?is a focal point of your reception, so put as much thought and planning into it as you do allWhat flavors do you offer?aspects of your wedding day! Can we do a taste test ofConsider how you wantcake companies up to a year inwant to find out if the bakerythe flavors? Hoyour cake to reflect other el- advance. Dont forget to bringwill provide someone to cutw far in advance are the ements of your celebration. your copy of Todays Brideand distribute the cake, as wellcakes prepared? Is your wedding more tradition- magazine to reference theseas the price of the service. YourDo you provide cake- al, or is it laid-back? Are you inquestions to ask! instinct might be to choose the cutting services?Ask to see a portfolio oflove with your color scheme?cheapest baker, but your deci- Are cakes charged byWith the myriad of possibilitiesrecently decorated cakes.sion should heavily considerthe slice or tier? these days, bakers can matchwhat looks, tastes, and fits yourDo you offer cake Look at the portfolio, paying the cake to anything, from theattention to the execution of de- wedding best!accessories?sign. Remember, each decoratorAfter youve narrowedinvites to the bouquet.Do you offer other dessert Once youve gathered ahas their own style and strongdown your search, getoptions?couple of ideas, start com- suitsbe sure to take note ofready for the best part;Do you accommodate paring your favorites.the decorator that suits yourarrange a tasting!dietary restrictions?After doing some inspirationpersonal style. Sometimes couples choose a ou provide a box/Can ywrapping for the top tierresearch, do you notice aOf course, youll be com- beautiful cake but neglect toof the cake?pattern emerging? Chances areparing prices between caketaste it (yesseriously!) CallWhen do we need to youll be drawn to a particularcompanies, too!your top bakeries and let themorder by? look or design element. Charging per serving is theknow youre considering themIs there a delivery/set-up for your wedding. Some baker-After youve chosen a fewstandard in the cake industry,ies will have open house tast- charge?designs, its time to meetbut some companies will chargeWhen will the cake beings where couples can sample awith different bakers!based on the cake itself, so bevariety of different cakes, whiledelivered/set up? You can begin to interviewsure to ask how theyre comingothers host private tastings withDon't forget to ask the general and compare licensed weddingup with the numbers. Youll alsoyour selection of a few flavors. questions on page 5CAKE & DESSERTS|8-3 MONTHS UNTIL I DO|TODAYS BRIDE 157"