{"id":2136914,"date":"2025-05-16T19:27:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T00:27:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=2136914"},"modified":"2025-05-16T19:28:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T00:28:58","slug":"how-to-bake-a-homemade-wedding-cake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-bake-a-homemade-wedding-cake\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Bake a Homemade Wedding Cake"},"content":{"rendered":"When I was in high school, I worked at a popular cake boutique in town. Every Saturday morning, opulent, multi-tiered wedding cakes would emerge from the back, freshly decorated for their big debut.\r\n\r\nFast-forward 10 years, and the status quo has changed. Couples are opting for smaller weddings, or traditional ones with a twist. And the standard wedding cake was the first thing to go. Those tiered cakes I grew up seeing are a thing of the past. Instead, couples choose smaller, simpler cakes to accommodate their intimate parties, or they splurge on an extravagant dessert table.\r\n\r\nThe cakes are so stripped down that they no longer cost a fortune, and they\u2019re a lot less work for the baker. That\u2019s where friends of the couple come in. I\u2019ve had the true honor, twice, of being asked to make the wedding cakes for my friends\u2019 weddings. You might be in that same position now, too!\r\n\r\nYes, I went to culinary school, but I am no aficionado of fondant work or sugar flower-making. But that\u2019s not what people want anymore. If you know how to bake a cake<\/a>, you know how to make a wedding cake. It's the same process, albeit a little more stressful. If you\u2019re feeling it, fear not. We're here to help.\r\n

Tips to Bake a Successful Wedding Cake<\/h2>\r\nI\u2019ve learned a lot about the process of making a wedding cake, and I've crafted this guide to set you up for success. These are my biggest takeaways and the steps I follow to reduce stress and perfectly execute a homemade wedding cake.\r\n

Consult with the couple<\/h3>\r\nBefore you do anything with the actual cake, set up a cake consultation with the couple\u2014ideally months in advance. This is the time to talk about what the cake should look and taste like, and to discuss logistics for the big day. If you really want to go the extra mile, set up a mini cake tasting with different cake, filling and frosting flavors. But if that\u2019s too much work, it\u2019s totally not necessary.\r\n\r\nBefore the meeting, ask them to bring inspiration photos if they have a specific or loose vision for the cake. If they\u2019re leaving that up to you, bring your own photos. Whether you provide ideas or not, you should definitely bring a notebook, pencil and the following questions:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. What do you have in mind for the cake's look?<\/strong> Take a look at the inspiration photos and decide, together, on a design that fits their vision but is ultimately achievable for you. If something feels outside of your wheelhouse, tell them!<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. What are the ideal cake flavors?<\/strong> Talk all things cake, filling and frosting here. They may already have an idea, but if not, suggest flavors you\u2019ve made before so you know you can pull it off.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. How will the cake be displayed?<\/strong> I always like to decorate my cakes right on the serving platter or cake stand. If you feel the same way, ask the couple if they have a specific plate, platter or stand in mind. Otherwise, build the cake on a cake board<\/a> so you can place it almost anywhere. Keep in mind that you won\u2019t be able to take the cake off the board, and the cake will be cut on it.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. How big does the cake need to be?<\/strong> In other words, how many people will be eating the cake? Write down the number and get the right-sized cake pans for the job.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Do you want a cake topper? Who will provide it?<\/strong> You might have gone over this already with the first question, but if not, ask now. Both of the wedding cakes I made had custom cake toppers, provided by the couple. One couple gave me the cake topper in advance so I could decorate around it, while the other couple wanted to add it at the last minute at the wedding, so I left space for it.<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Where, to whom and at what time should I deliver the cake?<\/strong> Logistics are so important. Do not wait to ask the couple for cake logistics the week before, day before or, even worse, the morning of the wedding. Knowing all of this beforehand allows you to prep and plan, which reduces stress in the long run. If you\u2019re delivering it to someone specific at the venue, make sure to get their phone number ASAP.<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. Does the venue allow outside food?<\/strong> This might be the most important question of all. You won\u2019t be able to make the wedding cake if the venue does not allow outside food. I was supposed to make wedding cakes for both my sister and my cousin, but we found out (early, thankfully!) that neither venue allowed outside food and drinks.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Invest in the right equipment<\/h3>\r\nNow that you\u2019re armed with a cake flavor and cake design, use this time to invest in the right cake decorating supplies<\/a> and frosting tools<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThese are my absolute must-haves for decorating a cake<\/a>. This isn\u2019t an exhaustive list, though, especially since you may have a very specific design requirements, but it should get you started.\r\n