How to choose a wedding cake designer

A good wedding cake designer isn't chosen on the strength of one pretty Instagram photo. They need to understand your reception, suggest a cake that suits your number of guests and be able to deliver or set up the cake in the right conditions.

Start by deciding what the wedding cake is for

Before contacting a baker, pin down the number of guests, the venue, the date and when dessert will be served. A wedding cake can be the centrepiece of the cake cutting, complement a dessert buffet or serve only some of your guests. That decision shapes the number of servings, the structure and the budget.

Check the style and the skills

Look at several of the professional's creations, not just one show-stopper. Pay attention to how consistent the finishes are, the tiered cakes, the sugar paste decorations and the styles closest to yours. A coherent portfolio is often more reassuring than a very large gallery with little detail.

Ask the right questions from the first conversation

Ask about the flavours available, tasting options, ordering lead times, deposit terms and delivery options. Mention any allergies or dietary requirements too. A useful quote states at least the number of servings, the decoration, transport costs and any set-up.

Plan ahead for delivery and set-up

A cake with several tiers needs suitable transport and sometimes setting up on site. Check access to the venue, the delivery time and how the cake should be stored. The six-tier wedding cake you saw on Pinterest is stunning; your budget, on the other hand, generally prefers to know the delivery charges before the big day.

How much notice should you give?

Contact several cake designers as soon as the date and venue are confirmed. For a bespoke creation, the professional has to check availability, set aside production time and sometimes order decorations. The more precise your brief, the more reliable the quote.