Six Secrets to Finding the Perfect Wedding Cake

Now that your wedding plans are in full swing, finding the perfect wedding cake might be next on your agenda. The wedding cake is the centerpiece of your dining event; whether you choose to feature it at the reception, or another post-wedding party, it's the ultimate finishing touch for your special day. You'll spend a considerable amount of time reviewing designs, sampling your favorite buttercreams, and settling on a wedding cake designer to handle the details. Finding the right fit can be a daunting task; here are six secrets to finding the wedding cake of your dreams:

Browse designer collections online and start clipping!
The first step in developing a customized wedding cake is knowing what you want; there are millions of combinations available, so you'll need to refine your theme, overall look, and prioritize. Make a list of must-haves; would you prefer a tiered look or a cascading layer effect? Are you selecting cheesecake instead of a traditional sponge cake? Narrowing down your cake needs to theme, overall presentation, and color combinations will help you find similar designs in portfolios and magazines as you start reviewing.

Pick the topper first
You can create a unique theme or design based exclusively on the cake topper. Many wedding cake designers will leave this until last, but you can use it as your core theme and create a color palette and design from there. The topper can be as simple as a flower arrangement, or a unique bride and groom figurine.

Consider the head count.
You'll want to make sure the final design is large enough to accommodate everyone's slice! Your baker will need to know how much to make, and the design can change considerably if you decide you need more layers at the last minute. Wedding cake professionals can be flexible with most designs, but some custom creations do have limits.

Order a miniature version
Go ahead and place an order for your pre-wedding parties. This is a great way to get the review of wedding guests, as well as a preview of the chef's talents. If the potential wedding cake specialist is part of a catering company, you can order a few desserts to get a good idea of quality and standards.

Collect pictures
From your local wedding boutique, catalogs, and magazines, start collecting pictures as early as possible. There's no easier way to explain what you want than showing similar designs and concepts in visual form. Many cake designers can even imitate the design on your wedding dress-just ask! A theme that encompasses all areas of your wedding, including the dress, will truly capture the essence of your wedding.

These are just six ways to increase your chances of success in finding the ultimate wedding cake. Wedding planning can be stressful, but enjoying some sweet samplings during the process will definitely help the process!