What To Expect At A Wedding Cake Tasting

One of the most enjoyable aspects of wedding planning is getting to experience certain luxuries and treats. Bakeries that are keen to have your business will offer you a chance to sample their work at a cake tasting – either for free or for a very small fee. Smart brides can make the most of this delicious wedding ‘chore’ by being prepared.

Before the Tasting
Cake tastings are typically only offered to engaged couples who are making serious inquiries. If you have reviewed the baker’s work, prices and availability and are genuinely interested in retaining their services, a cake tasting can be scheduled. When booking your appointment for a cake tasting:

Discuss what you’re most interested in. If you know you want a chocolate-based cake for your wedding reception, mention it to them. Or if you’re completely undecided, ask if a wide variety of samples can be presented.

If you or anyone attending the tasting has food allergies, let the baker know right away. Nuts like almonds and walnuts can be found in some confections, so this is important to highlight.

Let the baker know how many people you would like to attend the tasting with you. Typically, a baker will presume the tasting is for two people. Occasionally a bride’s mother, her future mother in law or a bridesmaid will want to weigh in on your choice and take part. For three people to attend a tasting is usually fine, but four or more people may be pushing on the baker’s generosity. It’s better to ask than presume!

Ask if the tasting will be private or if other potential clients will also be receiving their tasting as well. This is up to the bakery and should not affect the quality of your service – it’s just good to know so that you understand what to expect when you arrive.

Day of the Appointment
Get your taste buds ready! Since you may be sampling between five and ten cakes, it is important that you are neither full nor famished when arriving for your wedding cake tasting. Eat a light, healthy meal an hour or two before attending your appointment. Also, do not schedule more than two cake tastings on the same day – believe it or not, but there is such a thing as too much dessert!

While people in your family or bridal party may be excited and wish to attend, do not bring unexpected guests with you for the tasting. Arriving with an entourage will force your baker to run around to make additional samples and find extra seating – and this will mean less service and quality time for you and your fiancé.

Arrive prepared by bringing a notepad and pen, a bottled water and if you like, a camera (while the samples will be fairly bare looking some people like to document each step of the process!).

Finally, be punctual. Respect that you have an appointment with professionals who are offering you this kind service.

At the Cake Tasting
Your cake samples will either be brought to you ‘naked’ or fully prepared. ‘Naked’ samples provide you with the cake, the filling and the icing completely separate from each other. This allows you to taste each element on their own and to combine them how you like to create your own flavours and styles.

Fully prepared samples are examples of what the cake is like when it is fully assembled with a filling and frosting. These wedding cakes may be representative of the baker’s most popular choices, a result of your earlier discussions about your particular preferences or a combination of both.

Bakeries typically label the plates next to each sample so that you know exactly what it is you are tasting. This is also helpful if you are making notes on each flavour, so that you can properly reference your opinion.

Be sure to savour each sample and take your time in accessing the flavour, texture and moisture. If you already know what meal you are serving at your reception dinner, take this into consideration as well. Give yourself time between samples – it’s a good opportunity to write down your thoughts. Some higher-end bakeries will serve sorbet with the samples – this is meant to act as a palate cleanser between cakes. Most bakeries will at least offer you at glass of water (or you can use your own bottled water). Be sure to stop and cleanse your palette before trying a new flavour or cake.

If you have questions, now is a very good time to ask. If you find a particular icing too sweet, ask if there are alternatives. If you think a lemon cake would go nicely with a coconut icing, get the baker’s advice. If you’re having an outdoor reception and you’re concerned if the vanilla buttercream icing will hold up well, ask for an expert opinion.

After the Tasting
While you may enjoy what you’ve been served, you should not feel pressured to place a wedding cake order at your tasting. Besides wanting the time to talk it over with your fiancé and to compare notes, this may not be the only bakery you are considering. Cakes can run anywhere from $250 to well over $1000, so it is important to make a careful decision.

If after the tasting you decide that you do not wish to place an order, you should let the bakery know and thank them for their time. Be polite but honest if they ask you why you’ve chosen not to go with them. However, if you do decide that you would like the baker for your wedding day, let them know as soon as possible. Many bakeries only accept a few wedding cake orders per week, so their availability could be affected.

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