Cake tasting is one of the most fun and delightful experiences of wedding planning. You get to spend a few hours savouring the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth desserts that you will potentially be offering to your guests on the day of your wedding. 

As exciting as it is, there are still some things that you absolutely do not want to overlook or forget while you enjoy your mouth-watering treats. Besides the presentation and taste, there are other factors, you want to keep in mind before you start booking your appointments with different bakers. So keep reading as I share some tips with you that can help you decide which cake you’d like to share with your family and friends on your special day.

Do some serious research

Look for different vendors, cake styles, flavours, decorations, fillings and textures. Once you have narrowed down your list, take the time to read reviews of your favourite baker. 

You can always call and have a preliminary consultation with different bakers. I would suggest being open to their suggestions, and suggestions from others (family/friends) who’ve ordered cakes from different vendors for different occasions. Have your list of questions ready so you don’t forget to ask important questions during your appointment.

Book your cake tasting 6 months in advance

Book your cake tasting appointments about 6 months in advance. This is something you don’t want to leave out for the very last minute. Having at least a  six month time period in advance will help you straighten out all the details of the event day, like theme, venue, event-day agenda, so that when you’re finalizing the cake you can give the exact location, presentation and timings of cake arrival to your vendor. 

Schedule appointments on different days

If you’re testing multiple bakers, do not make all your appointments the same day. Cake tasting usually takes about one to two hours, so schedule your days accordingly. You want to give yourself sufficient time to process different tastes, textures, flavours, aromas, decoration etc. And believe me, having cake after cake after cake, you don’t want to get sugar sick by the end of the day!

Know your budget and stick to it

Keeping a budget in mind will help you make a list of all the places that fall under your set budget. This way, you can discuss your budget expectations with your baker before you proceed with finalizing the details of the cake. A good way to keep track of things is by keeping a cake tasting sheet with you. This will help you keep track of different vendors, flavors, pricing, tastes, and other things you like/dislike about a particular vendor.

Have some ideas about flavour and style 

Once you research different bakers and their creations, you’ll get an idea of what flavour and style you want to have for your wedding cake. Have ideas about cake toppers and decoration and discuss these with your baker. If there are any dietary restrictions, make sure to mention them beforehand. 

Some people prefer having different flavours for different tiers. Ask your baker if they can accommodate that for you so you can maximize your options. You may also want to consider tasting the frosting and filling separately and see which combinations work best for you.

Eat before your appointment

Eat before your appointment, because being hungry might affect your taste buds. Everything….and I mean, everything tastes better when you’re hungry! Your sensitivity to sugar and salt increases and your perception of taste changes. So be sure to eat before your appointment so you can differentiate between different flavours and not get tricked by your brain, who is a lot less picky when you haven’t had a meal in a while.

Cleanse your palate between each sample

Cleanse your palate between each sample so your taste buds can enjoy the next slice without any lingering flavours from the last sample. Drink water between your tastings and remember to taste different elements of the cake separately. For example: sponginess, frosting, sweetness, moisture, decorations etc.

Connect with your baker

Once you’re done finalizing all the details, you want to make sure you take down the contact information of your baker. In months and weeks leading up to the wedding, sometimes you make some changes based on the new information you may get and you want to make sure you have your baker’s information handy so you can communicate these changes with them in a timely manner.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE  BOOKING A SPECIFIC BAKER Find out if your baker provides a cake stand or if you’ll need to provide one Learn how large they consider a slice .This may affect how much cake you need to order Be sure to get a sketch of the design before finalizing the order Find out what time the cake will be delivered

Now that you know how to plan your cake tasting and what to look for, explore different ideas for cake decorations, flavours, tablescapes, and find inspiration in our lookbook here. If you need suggestions on vendors or how to decorate your wedding table, feel free to talk to us. We have a variety of recommendations based on your preference, that you may find helpfully delicious.

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If you’ve watched “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC, you are already familiar with all the emotions, the indecisiveness, the struggle, the tears… and oh, the drama, that doesn’t necessarily happen in real life, but hey! Who doesn’t like some laughs and giggles, right?! 

Dress shopping is fun. Now I know, you may say “Not really Paulette…” but what if I told you, that you can make your dress shopping experience exciting, enjoyable, interesting and stress free by being mindful of a few simple things?

When getting ready to shop for your wedding dress, there are a few aspects to keep in mind. I’ve come up with The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping that will help you “Say Yes to the Dress!”  So ladies, leave you stress behind, your vision ahead, and read on!

1. Do you have a theme in mind?

Is it rustic, country, whimsical, garden or a holiday wedding? Considering this will help you decide on the dress style, fabric and silhouette. Whether you want delicate work on your wedding dress, bold colors, embroidery, or jewels, it all depends on what the overall wedding theme is. Remember, you’re the star of your own fairytale!

2. Do your research

Before you start shopping for your ideal wedding dress, do some research on what is out there in the market. Depending on the theme you’ve chosen, look up for some dress inspiration online and check which vendors carry the brands and styles of your preference. This will save you a tremendous amount of time when you start booking your appointments.

3. Book an appointment

Once you have done your due diligence of researching what bridal stores you want to book an appointment with, it’s time to start creating a schedule for yourself.  Set aside different days and times for different places you want to visit. Keep in mind the commute time and leave some room for traffic delays and/or appointments running longer than their set times. Making a list of all the stores in a particular area so you can target them all on a given day, also helps you organize appointment slots better and reduces stress of rushing back and forth across the city from one store to another.

4. Know your budget

Set yourself a budget and stick to it! I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to set a budget for your wedding gown and stick to that budget. 

Keep a set price in your mind before you start trying on different wedding gowns. Avoid trying gowns beyond your budget. Trust me, this will save you a lot of unnecessary stress, and will help you narrow down your options so you can focus on designing the best style within a given budget.

5. Decide on a silhouette

Based on your body shape, decide on a silhouette but be open to try out things outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re petite, tall, pear shaped or hourglass, do some research before you start looking for different gown styles and cuts. Consider a style that follows the natural and feminine contours of your chest, waist, hips and thighs. However, if you feel confident in a particular dress, chuck out any rules that hold you back from feeling yourself wonderful in that dress.

6. Focus on the fit not on the size

Keep in mind that sizes will vary, depending on the dress designer. If you must try on a size medium instead of a small, know that it’s due to the store or designer sizing, not a reflection of your own body size. Remember one glove doesn’t fit all, and not all five fingers are the same. 

7. Bring the right undergarments and shoes

Everything will look better with the right foundational pieces. A nude strapless bra and a no-show pair of panties is the safest choice. Wrong undergarments can completely alter the appearance of a dress.

8. Narrow down your entourage

Bring friends that are going to be honest but who also understand your ideals of a wedding dress, along with your style needs. Sometimes, having too many opinions from different friends and family members can sway you from deciding what you had originally envisioned for yourself.

And lastly 

9. Be true to yourself 

Choose a dress that makes you smile, feel special and enhances your beautiful assets. It’s your wedding, and you should feel like yourself! Choose something that brings out the best in you. If you want to add a pop of color to your dress, or try a floral skirt with a top, then go for it and see how it looks. There is no right or wrong. Ultimately, it’s what accentuates your inner and outer beauty and makes you say “Yes, this is definitely the one!”

While all these things are important, above all, be patient with yourself. You want to allow yourself time to decide what looks great on you. You want to choose something that makes your heart filled with joy. A dress that goes well with your overall wedding theme, makes you feel like your true self, and the dress that will make your husband’s eyes filled with love and appreciation for the real beauty that is You!

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