Pricing & Icing

"Cakesultation" & Tastings for Weddings

Where do we start?

"Cakesultations"  are by appointment only. Couples are urged to schedule consults at least 2-3 months in advance during peak wedding season (May ~ September). Your private consultation is in my home where we will collectively discuss your ideas, expectations, and needed servings.  For out of town clients, most details can be discussed via phone/email.

About the "Cakesultation"

There are several important things I need to know even before we schedule a "cakesultation".  The most important of these are: 

Your Event/Wedding Date
Your Reception Time (when the first guest will arrive at the site) 
Approximate Number of Guests you are inviting. 

I can then let you know if I’m available to do your cake.  I can also answer any questions you might have, and schedule your private "caksultation".

Note:  Please understand that since most weddings are on Saturdays, I’m generally not available to meet then, although some Sundays are open.  On very busy Saturdays I won't answer the phone because I want to do the best possible job.  I promise to do the same for your cake. 

This will be our most important contact and should last about an hour. During this time we’ll design your cake and discuss flavors, shapes, colors, flowers, and set up.  If you have pictures of cakes, color swatches, or cake topper, please bring them to the table.  Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want; most couples don’t and helping plan a design is an important part of my service to you. 

How far in advance?

Since I do only custom order cakes, please contact me as soon as you decide to consider Custom Cakes. I can rarely accept more than three weddings on any weekend and would not want to disappoint you.  Six months or more is preferable, but please feel free to check with me any time as I occasionally have openings only a few weeks away.

If this is a "shot-gun" type of shin-dig, where we don't have much planning time, cupcakes are a great way to celebrate, they freeze well, come in mini and standard sizes, and well, they are just plain fun!

Do you offer tastings?

I offer each bride a groom one free cake tasting at the "cakesultation" in order to decide on cake flavor and filling pairings. These meetings normally last about an hour around the farm style table over coffee, with me personally. I regret that in order to keep my prices competitive, additional tastings/cakesultations with other friends or family members require a nominal payment for time and ingredients. 

 

Stuco wedding cake and farm themed grooms cake

Pricing & Servings

Although you may not yet have finalized your guest numbers, you should have an idea of the number you are expecting. Your estimates should take into consideration the fact that the top tier of wedding cakes is often not saved and included in the total number of servings. If you would like to save the top tier, I provide saving instructions and a box. A good formula to start with is to figure 80% of your invites will attend. We can talk about needed servings at the "cakesultation" as other factors may play into the total servings needed.  Consider supplementing with cupcakes or cake truffles for young guests. 

I see this as a partnership to create a beautiful and tasty event centerpiece for your special day. Because I work out of a private state licensed domestic kitchen in my home, I am able to provide affordable prices as I don't have the overhead of a commercial bakery and can spend the time needed creating your extra special cake.

With the many different types of cakes and fillings, and the countless design options available it is almost impossible for me to give a clear estimate of pricing without first designing the cake.  For the 2012 wedding season, an average price would start at $3.75 per guest serving.  This covers most of the popular flavors and basic designs. It does not cover either fresh or hand-made sugar flowers, cakes covered with rolled fondant, or complicated or unusual designs.  These are best done by quote. 

Price includes:

 

 Basic Wedding Pricing

"Extra Bling Items"  (But, so worth it!)

There will be a $100 retainer fee due upon placing the cake order, holding your event date. Balance is due two weeks prior to the wedding date. 

To prevent confusion and jeopardizing the reputation of Custom Cakes, I must request that I provide any additional cakes. (Supplemental sheet cake are available)

Cut and Serve service available

Guaranteeing enough servings and you don’t have to impose on “Aunt Bertha” to cut the cake. However, many caterers include cake cutting in their services, so ask. Cut/Serve service is $75 for 2 1/2 hours, includes cleanup.

Will you do individual cakes?  

I am happy to do individual cakes for your guests, either single or multi-tiered, but because they require much more time and are labor intensive, the price per guest is three to four times that of traditional wedding cakes.  An order for individual cakes must also be placed much earlier so enough time can be scheduled and fewer other orders accepted.  Individual cakes are placed on each of the tables and served to those guests seated at that table.  A much more economical idea is the desset bar idea.

What is "Grooms Cake"?

And don't forget the Groom!  Modern grooms cakes usually mirror the grooms interests such as a sport, hobby, interest or favorite dessert.  We can talk about that too when we meet.  Pictured above is a sample farm design grooms cake.

 

Cake Options

Delivery

FREE delivery in Newberg. Delivery and setup are included for weddings.  Outside of Newberg, there is a standard delivery/setup fee of $50.00 This fee may increase depending on distance and road terrain.

The cake will be delivered approximately one hour before your guests arrive. This is to ensure that the cake, flowers, and other ornaments are fresh and undisturbed by the reception set-up.

Though outdoor receptions are a bit different, we have done hundreds without any difficulty.  We often deliver these cakes as close as possible to the time guests arrive—especially if the weather is very hot—or even during the cocktail hour if it is not located in the same area as the dinner. Placement is the most important thing to consider when having a cake outdoors. It is critical to have the cake placed where it will get no direct sunlight to prevent the frosting from melting. 

Either way, set-up generally takes no more than 20 minutes, so we’ll be gone well before your guests arrive. 

In almost every case I prefer to deliver the wedding cake myself.  There are rare occasions when it can be boxed for pickup, but these are by special arrangement only. Some limitations may be placed on the cake and you assume all risk once the cake leaves Custom Cakes. 

Floral Options

Flowers for the cake and cake table can be provided by your florist, yourself, or are available for an additional charge from Custom Cakes. If working with a florist, I will contact them for you regarding size specifications and quantity of flowers. Loose flower placement at event site is FREE!

Allergy Information

Cakes are baked in a state licensed kitchen that uses nuts, eggs, wheat, and dairy products.