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How to Choose Your Wedding Baker & Caterer

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CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING DAY CATERER & BAKER

How to Choose Your Wedding Baker & Caterer - Tips & Questionnaire

An experienced caterer can deal with all of your catering needs and offer you delicious and artfully displayed selections. They can also give you great ideas on stretching your reception budget and help you with the floor plan so traffic flows are optimized.  When selecting a caterer, keep in mind that you are not just hiring them to provide food and beverages for you and your guests, you are also hiring their staff and services. Interviewing potential caterers should take place 6-12 months in advance of your wedding date. Taste tests are highly recommended.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR CATERER

  • Are you available on my wedding date?
  • Can you supply examples of suggested menus along with prices?
  • Do you insist on doing all the catering at our wedding? If so, what staff will be available?
  • If we are able to supply the wine, what do you charge for corkage?
  • Are you familiar with my wedding site?
  • What do you charge and are you willing to work within my budget?
  • What suggestions do you have, given my needs and budget?
  • Are taxes and gratuities extra?
  • Does the cost cover setup and cleanup?
  • Is there a minimum charge? If so, how much?
  • What are the deposit and cancellation policies?
  • What are your guarantees?
  • What time do you insist the reception finishes?
  • Do you include a cake stand and knife if required? Will you cut the cake and supply plates and forks? Will you serve the punch and coffee?
  • When is the deadline for notification regarding menu selection?
  • How do you determine the head count?
  • Can you provide colored linens?
  • Will you serve the buffet or is it self-serve?
  • What are the sizes of the portions?
  • Do you use disposable china and flatware?
  • Can you run my candy or dessert buffet?
  • Will you set up the room?
  • When is the final guest estimate needed?
  • Will there be a representative available on-site during the meal-time?
  • Will you provide references or a portfolio?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BAKER

Pink Wedding CakeYour wedding is not complete without the wedding cake! shop around for a good baker at least four months in advance. Ask to see pictures of their cakes and compare the cost and quality. Don't be afraid to make special requests in colors, flavors, shapes, and styles.  The traditional tiered cake is still the favorite of many modern brides, but cake designers can do some pretty amazing things with cakes these days! The number of guests usually determines the size of your cake, but don't let that stop you from getting the cake of your dreams. Keep in mind that the cake should have its own table at the reception with plenty of room around it for guests, photographers and both of you. 

  • Are you available on my wedding date?
  • Do you specialize in wedding cakes?
  • What is your guarantee?
  • May I have a taste test of the cake and frosting?
  • Do you specialize in any particular style, flavor, or size? What types of wedding and grooms cakes do you make?
  • How much do you charge? What are the payment terms?
  • When do I need to return the support pieces?
  • Do you supply a cake knife? What is the best way to cut the cake?
  • How far in advance should I place my order?
  • When will you deliver and set up the cake?

CANDY BUFFETS - BEST PLACES TO BUY CANDY IN BULK 

Candy buffets and dessert tables make a delightful addition to wedding receptions, engagement parties and bridal showers. If executed well, they become a memorable design element, make convenient take-home wedding favors and add a sense of fun and entertainment to your day. See how to create your own DIY candy buffet. Here are some great places to buy bulk wedding candy:

CAKES, CUPCAKES & DESSERT TRENDS

Here are some of the top wedding cake trends:

    • Unique Shapes and Textures: Unique shapes and textures, such as hexagonal or triangular tiers or textured finishes are expected to be a popular choice for couples and are a fresh and modern take on traditional wedding cakes.
    • Bold Colors: Bold colors, such as bright pinks, blues, and greens adding a pop of color to the cake and creating a unique statement piece.
    • Dessert Bars: Dessert bars, featuring a variety of sweet treats, such as cupcakes, macarons, and mini pies, are expected to be a popular choice for couples offering a more relaxed and casual alternative to a traditional wedding cake.
    • Floral Cakes: Floral cakes, incorporating fresh flowers and greenery offer a soft and romantic touch to the cake and tying in with overall wedding theme.
    • Naked Cakes: Naked cakes, featuring a simple, unfrosted design, offer a more rustic and natural feel to the cake.
    • Personalized Cakes: Personalized cakes, featuring monograms, illustrations, or other unique touches allow for a custom and one-of-a-kind cake design.

Cupcakes are a fun and less expensive alternative to wedding cakes and a cake cutter is not required. Here are some of the top wedding cupcake trends:

    • Bold Flavors: Bold flavors, such as unique and creative flavor combinations offer a fun and exciting twist on traditional cupcake flavors.
    • Mini Cakes: Mini cakes, featuring small, individual-sized cakes offer a more casual and relaxed alternative to a traditional wedding cake.
    • Decorative Toppings: Decorative toppings, such as fresh fruit, edible flowers, and edible glitter add a touch of glamour and whimsy to the cupcakes.
    • Custom Decorations: Custom decorations, featuring monograms, illustrations, or other unique touches allow for a custom and one-of-a-kind cupcake design.
    • Dessert Stations: Dessert stations, featuring a variety of sweet treats, such as cupcakes, macarons, and mini pies, have a more relaxed and casual feel than a traditional wedding cake.
    • Vegan and Gluten-Free Options: Vegan and gluten-free cupcake options are expected to be a continuing trend that caters to guests with dietary restrictions and offers a variety of options for all to enjoy.

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