Hiring a Baker

When hiring a baker, check your local directories for what's available in your area.

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Expensive Cakes - Are They Really Worth It?

In Northern California, The Knot and Here Comes the Guide list some of the best bakeries around. Please note however, that these are paid advertisements. There are plenty of small, excellent, word of mouth establishments, possibly operating out of their home that may be an excellent option for brides on a budget.

Aim to meet with at least 2 to 3 bakers to compare their prices, flavors and styles. Ideally, meeting with bakers 6 months to 1 year before your wedding is a great idea.

When you first meet your baker, allow at least 2 hours for consultation. Bring your ideas, photos, color swatches, flower types, picture of your wedding dress, the venue, etc. They’ll want to know the date, time and location of your wedding, as well as the number of guests you’re expecting. The environment of where your cake will be displayed will also be a huge consideration. Things like shade, sun, wind, humidity, and heat will have a big impact on the type of cake that will work for your event. It’s perfectly fine to bring your fiancé, your wedding planner and even a few others (maid of honor and mother in law?). Just check first as a courtesy.

While you’re there, check out their portfolio to make sure their cakes look fabulous. Make sure they have plenty of experience creating a similar style of cake that you’re looking for. For example, you may not want to work with someone who creates elaborate and elegant cakes, when you’re looking for something extremely modern. Any baker may be willing to create your style of cake, even if they don’t specialize in it. But, you may feel better with some visual proof, knowing they can really do it, and have done it before.

Most kitchens are always cooking will offer their various cake filling and frosting combos. Always sample before you commit. Not only does the cake need to look fabulous, it needs to taste fabulous too. This is especially important for fondant. If you’re interested in a fondant wedding cake, make sure you sample the baker’s fondant. Fondant has a bad rap for tasting awful, due to a certain brand of fondant that really tastes awful. If you baker makes their own fondant, or uses a brand that tastes good, you’re in luck.

Most importantly, be upfront about your budget. Be prepared for cake costs! They’re usually priced by the slice, ranging from $2 - $25 and beyond. Make sure to read our article about expensive wedding cakes.

If you’re on a budget, talk to your baker about ordering a smaller cake to display, and serve from sheet cakes hidden in the back. Not only could this save costs, but it makes for more efficient cake serving. A baker could also create a “fake cake” for display, made of Styrofoam, that is covered with real frosting and décor. Depending on the baker, and the size of the “fake cake”, this may not end up saving you any money. If you’re into a huge cake or need a cake with height, ask if you can have a large cake with some of the layers as dummy layers. Your cake will appear more grandiose, but so much less expensive.


When I was first becoming a wedding planner and was going through the certification process…we had the pleasure of learning about and enjoying a cake from Katrina Roselle in Northern California. I was shocked to find out that as part of their creation process…they froze their cakes! You mean they didn’t work 48 hours straight before a wedding to get the job done? Nope. They froze their cakes, maybe weeks beforehand, just as a lot of professionals do.

Why freeze a cake in advance? You want to have the time to decorate it right before the event – which would not be possible if you decorated it the same day right? Freezing cakes also saves time, especially when three are so many other cakes to bake and so many other things to do.

Properly freezing cakes takes time and a ton of saran wrap. The goal is a cake that tastes as fresh and moist as the day you cooked it.

We have to mention though, that while a lot of bakers do the "freezing" thing, many high end bakers do not. For example, Sylvia Weinstock, one of the most recognized and accredited cake creators of our time, does not freeze any of her clients' cakes. And we're sure her costs reflect this. =) We hope you've enjoyed these tidbits on hiring a baker!

Here's an example of why *not* to transport your own wedding cake

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