Wedding Cakes

"We were lucky because we knew exactly how we wanted our cake right from the beginning, but I know other people who have agonised for weeks about what to get because the choices are so big."

So says Ann Stewart, nae Smith, who wanted something a little off the wall for her wedding cake.

"I had a cake designed in the shape of a sofa, with me and my husband sitting on it and our dog curled up by our feet. On the rug in front of the sofa was the lettering.

"When I saw the finished product, I nearly cried and it certainly proved a talking point at the reception," she said.

For Ann, the cake was very much in line with the informal atmosphere of her wedding and she decided well in advance what kind of cake was going to fit in.

But for others, choosing the right confectionery can become something of a three-tier nightmare.

There are so many styles to choose from, with alternative shapes, textures, colours and fillings, that it's easy to be overwhelmed.

As always with such matters, some simple planning and a few hard decisions are needed to ensure the cake takes its place as the symbolic centrepiece of the wedding day.

It is important to give yourself plenty of time to choose, so you should think about ordering the cake at least three months before the wedding date.

It's also important to adopt the right frame of mind when faced with a cake designer's bulging portfolio. If you go into the process thinking it will be a chore, then sure enough it will be.

But if you go into it thinking that the range of ideas available is a source of inspiration, then you might just enjoy yourself.

Secondly, think of the practical considerations. It's a good idea to think about your budget before you even approach a cake shop door. Obviously, the bigger the cake and the more work that goes into its design, the more expensive it will be.

You should decide how important a cake is to your celebrations and budget accordingly, giving yourselves an absolute upper limit. If funds are tight, then aim for something simple and understated.

Once you have worked out how much money you want to spend it's important to visit at least three cake shops or designers, because unless you have been recommended someone by word of mouth, it's worth asking around. Local cake makers can be found under the 'bakers and confectioners' section in your area's Yellow Pages.

Get a feel for price and remember the taste test - there's no point ordering a stunning-looking cake if it tastes like a mouthful of cold gravel.

In the past, most cakes had a standard fruitcake or plain sponge filling, but these days, designers are becoming bolder in the taste department. Exciting flavours like white chocolate, rum punch or even Pina Colada are appearing.

Of course, if you are sending the cake off to lots of older relatives who might not approve of the fancy new flavours, one tier of the cake could be kept as traditional fruitcake.

If you have a design of your own in mind, then it is important to let the cake maker know exactly how big you want it and what colours should be incorporated. There's nothing worse than seeing a finished masterpiece that's only half the size or a different shade than you wanted it to be.

Remember that just about the only limit to what you want is your budget and imagination, so if you want a tumbling pile of profiteroles dressed with summer fruits then go for it!

Once your cake is finished there are two vital elements left.

Firstly, ensuring it gets to the reception venue safely. Many bakers will deliver, but it is important to double check a few days before the wedding that they have got all the details of time and venue correct.

Secondly, you need to ensure that the caterers at the reception venue have a suitable cake stand and knife to avoid that 'You've Been Framed' moment when your three tier cake tumbles from its tiny, wobbly podium.

Finally, you will need to arrange for what is left of the cake to be taken back home after the reception - otherwise it may be thrown away and all those people who couldn't come to your wedding will miss out on their traditional slice.