Cakes are the centerpiece of a reception. I used to dream of my wedding by imagining the gorgeous (enormous) cake with a glowing fountain and lots of icing. I couldn't see the dress or the man - but I knew I would recognize my cake.
I spent more hours prowling bakeries than my dress and flower tours combined. I had a dream - and it wasn't going to die! Unfortunately, I was disappointed by most of what I found. Cakes looked overdone, tasted bland and all seemed terribly over priced. Most bakeries encouraged me to give up my vision and substitute a small cake with sheet cakes for the guest to actually eat. Some suggested I use the sheet cake switch - the Styrofoam decorated cake with sheet cake actually switched in the kitchen.
I needed a fairy godmother quick - or I was going to be serving stale Little Debbies on the dessert table!
My mother stepped in to save the day. She had created cakes professionally in the past, mostly party cakes - kids characters and such. She researched, clipped photos, bought accessories, scoped sales, sketched, and practiced until guilt nearly overwhelmed me! About two weeks before the wedding, mom started creating tiny icing flowers. She began freezing large chocolate cakes (yes, chocolate). As the date came closer mom had kids off all ages learning how to create icing details, mixing colors and baking. The results (as you can see) were astounding! She created my dream cake in a way that not even those overpriced pros could have come near.
We learned that making your own cake can be expensive. We bought or rented many items that added up quickly (pans, stairs, icing tips, fountain...). There is also a significant time consideration. In addition, it can be stressful the morning of your wedding as you see the cake being put together. One miscalculation could have sent the whole thing toppling to the ground.
Since my wedding I have counseled other couple in both directions. If you are going to attempt your own cake the most important advice I can give you is PRACTICE! Start making fancy cakes for every occasion and decorate everything you eat with icing decorations.
Bon Appetite!
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