Not sure where to start with ordering your cake?  Here is the run down of how we do it here at She Takes The Cake.  Keep in mind, there is a cake for everyone and therefore a cake designer for everyone.  Decide before you start to call around if you have very strict ideas about your budget, your style, your tastes, and the degree of importance that the cake has for you.  After all, it’s just cake to some, but for everyone else, it’s a little bit more important.

1. Quickly, if it’s “just flour and water” for you, then it might be pretty safe to say any bakery will do.  You can afford to shop based on budget alone and there are several very inexpensive directions to go. I would suggest a local grocery store chain like Wegman’s or even Publix or Walmart depending on your region.  Some “at home” bakers can do a terrific job for very little as well depending on many factors.  For mid range to basic styles or what I call “Wiltonrific” cakes and some quickly done but slightly more elaborate cakes, try the larger family owned bakeries with everyday retail walk in service with pastry cases and small lunch menus.  For very elaborate or specialty designs, you’re probably going to require a boutique bakery or small studio or even a home baker that specializes in very modern cakes. Each of these levels of bakery is going to come at a different price which reflects the quality and amount of time spent on your cake.
2. Price will vary and you get what you pay for. In the CNY area, you can expect to see a range of about $2.00 per slice all the way up to $11.00 or more depending on which route you go.  My range happens to be $8 to $11 for most of my cakes.  The larger bakeries in Syracuse tend to be closer to $4.00 or slightly above.  They do it all but we specialize in modern, artistic, fondant cakes, and do it very well.  Like I said, pick your priorities before you shop.  If budget is your bottom line, you can still have a great cake, but if your priorities are set a bit higher, read on.
3. Gather your ideas and draw them out (figuratively speaking or for real if you’re so inclined.) Look online, in magazines, at friends’ photos, etc.  Remember, some of the best cakes are not even inspired by cake, but by your love of art or textiles or architecture, etc.  Be flexible and be creative.  Some of my favorite cakes are pictured below and they are the original designs that I have created when couples give me the freedom to design especially for them.  They are unique - they’re cakes were too!
4. Then, shop.  Shop around.  Shop early!  Generally, the less expensive, less specialized bakery =  the least amount of lead time required.  For the mid range style and priced cakes you are probably pretty safe with that magazine recommended 3 month rule, but try for at least 6.  For specialized cakes like what we do here…give a year to be sure, but we should definitely have you on the books by 6-9 months.  It is not uncommon for a very specialized studio like She Takes The Cake to book up a year in advance.
5. Do your research with calls and emails.  See if you mesh before you nosh.  Save yourself some time by having a list of questions ready when you call and before you go in to taste or do a style consult.  Don’t like the answers? Move on.  Don’t get the service you expect? Move on.  Sound too good to be true? Check referrals and then move quickly…make the appointment and go see for yourself.  I can only speak for myself here but this is the process: Call/email.  If we click and prices are in your budget and my cakes fit your vision/make appointment.  Meet/taste cake.  Give me basis for your design/specific instructions/free will on style, etc./make a 1/3 deposit. Take home extra cake samples/enjoy.  Contact during planning as needed about design and sketches if they are to be provided/balance due about a month before wedding.  Be prepared with photos, ideas, concepts - as much or as little input as you like.  Be prepared with questions if you have them.  Be prepared to place your deposit at this consult; most of my consults are a formality.  Have a list of the rest of your vendors and your time line ready as this will go in your file.

Next up, a breakdown of cake terms and styles to help make your search a little easier. And some hints on savings costs and making the whole process more enjoyable. You really can have your cake and eat it too, I’ll help show you how!

That’s what my husband says to buddies when they ask if I’m a great baker.  Of course he always gets an elbow from me if he forgets to add that I can in fact bake a pretty tasty cake.  Funny how most people expect either or, not both great taste and cool looks with cake.  Shame.  Anyway, here is an artist’s palate cake for a young woman in Syracuse.  Ordered by her mother out of state, not uncommon for us, and to be delivered to the fabulous Genesee Grand Hotel.  Thanks Janelle for the referral.  Enjoy! And Happy Birthday Sam! ~the flavor…vanilla with chocolate fudge filling.

Janice from The Bridal Wishlist was nice enough to let us in on a little fab giveaway on her blog tomorrow!  Up for grabs is a free set of 40 personalized cards & envelopes with a printed return address from Parklife Press valued at $250 or $300 depending on the style you choose.  Use them for wedding thank you notes, wouldn’t that be perfect?  Check out the Parklife Press collection here.  Good luck everybody, and thanks Janice for letting us know!

I’ve switched it up a bit here and added a link love area so you could check out some cool links of old and new favorite sites and blogs in and around the wedding or cake industry.  My current cake crush is on Clara’s Designer Cakes in Maryland.  She emailed me this weekend and if you know me, you know that meant I probably called her on the phone instead of a boring old email.  She’s an open book like me so to speak and thus I have a new cake friend.  I am blown away by her level of skill for such a short time.  Hopefully sometime soon we’ll meet in person for a structered sugar art lesson play date.  She thinks I could teach her something, I think it will be a two way street for sure.  Have cake, will travel…that’s me.