14 Wedding Cake Tasting Tips For Engaged Couples

Are you ready for some wedding cake tasting tips?

Many wedding still have cake served at them these days. And, there are lots of options out there for cake. This is why most couples will go on a wedding cake tasting journey before they choose the cake they will have at their wedding. This journey usually takes place in one sitting, where they taste lots of different types of cake. It’s a fun experience, but does require a bit of strategy.

Look, no one is saying that wedding cake tasting is not fun. It’s totally fun. Cake is tasty, and cake makes many people happy. However, there are some nuances to the experience. The goal is to leave the cake tasting with a clear vision of what cake is your favorite, and what will be served at your wedding. The goal is not to walk away unsure, unclear, or feeling sick. You know what I mean?

14 Wedding Cake Tasting Tips For Engaged Couples

This post is going to share fourteen wedding cake tasting tips for engaged couples. Every single couple can do these tips. None of them are a requirement for cake tasting, but they will help you have a better experience. This is true whether you’re meeting with an actual cake baker for a tasting, or buying a bunch of slices yourself. You’ve got this, and these wedding cake tasting tips are totally doable.

Let’s get into it!

1. RESEARCH WHAT YOU WANT YOUR CAKE TO LOOK LIKE AHEAD OF TIME (AND TAKE SCREEN SHOTS!)

First things first. Let’s have a wedding cake vision before we start.

This part is crucial before you even start tasting. The key is to come to your tasting with photos or drawings of what you’d like to serve. This will help you determine if your wedding cake needs multiple tiers, a strange shape, or even the flavors that will be inside the cake. Coming with a vision will help your cake baker or decorator decide what cakes are best for you to taste, how much you may spend on cake, and also the feasibility of what your cake will take to make.

2. DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR WEDDING CAKE TASTING

As with any wedding related decision that costs money, it’s important that you figure out your wedding cake budget before you go to your tasting.

Why do I stress the importance of this? Because, in the moment, it’s easy to commit to something that later on you may regret. Seeing what cakes are possible, and then tasting them, can sway you to spend more than you really should. So, determine your range before you leave. You may decide, with your partner, that if you go out of your range you’ll have to borrow from another part of your budget to fund the wedding cake. The key here is to know what you can spend, and have a plan.

3. SCHEDULE YOUR TASTING 5-8 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

Engaged couples often struggle with the timing of bookings ahead of their wedding.

For your wedding cake tasting, you would ideally book it five to eight months ahead of your wedding. This will allow you to have a good idea of how many guests you have, what the theme of your wedding will be, and what other food will be served. It’s also a good amount of time to book your baker and ensure that you’re not stressed finding one at the last minute. Wedding cake is one of those things that may be non-essential, but it’s nice to cross off the to-do list.

4. TELL THE BAKER ABOUT ALLERGIES OR RESTRICTIONS BEFORE YOU GO

Before you head over to your wedding cake tasting, communicate with your baker.

Be sure to tell them about any allergies or dietary restrictions you may have. This goes for any guests you may bring with you. These days, bakers are skilled and creative. They usually have ways to get around just about any food limitation. So, be clear about what you’d like to have available.

5. BRING YOUR PARTNER (AND A TRUSTED ENTOURAGE) TO THE WEDDING CAKE TASTING

Alright, the fun stuff.

When you go to your wedding cake tasting, bring a group. Many tastings have a limit on how many people you can bring. Or, they will charge a fee per person. Find out the situation for your tasting and think ahead. For sure bring your partner, but decide if others should be included, too. It may be a fun activity to include your moms in. Or, some of your wedding party. If you have kids, cake tastings can definitely be fun for them, too.

6. BE SURE TO EAT A LITTLE PROTEIN BEFORE YOU GO

Let’s get into actual strategy so your wedding cake tasting doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

Be sure to prep your body ahead of the tasting so it can actually digest the cake. By eating a little protein before you leave, your body will have some good nutrients and a solid base before cake. This will help slow down the absorption of sugar and prevent feeling sick, too. So, have a small snack of cheese, roasted chick peas, some sliced deli meat, or other solid protein before you go.

7. HAVE YOUR WATER READY (USE IT AS A PALATE CLEANSER)

Having some water handy during your tasting can help on a couple different fronts.

For starters, water can be a great palate cleanser. Wedding cake tastings mean that you’re toggling between flavors. Water can help wash away the previous flavor so you can really experience the next. Drinking water can also help you dilute the sugar you’re ingesting.

8. TASTE SOME CAKE, LEAVE SOME, COME BACK TO IT (DON’T EAT THE ENTIRE SLICE AT ONCE)

When you’re doing a tasting, it’s key to not down the portion right away.

A good strategy when wedding cake tasting is to have a small bite of a portion, and then head to another flavor. Come back to the first one when you’re ready. Doing it this way will help you compare and contrast the flavors in front of you. It’s hard to remember what you like, compared to other flavors in the moment. So, be strategic. Don’t try to remember. Just taste, and rank as you go. Then come back and rank again.

9. TRY THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE CAKE SEPARATELY (ICING, CAKE, FILLING)

Let’s dive deeper into the actual wedding cake tasting strategy.

Try everything separately, and then try it altogether.

This means that you try the icing. Then the cake. Then any filling. And then, put it all together in one bite. You may find that one element sways you to choose a type of cake, or removes itself from the running, just by trying it alone. You may also be able to ask your caterer to mix and match if you find a combination that you like but it isn’t offered on the plate.

10. BRING QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BAKER

I could write a whole post on this so I’ll try and keep it short and sweet here.

Before you go to your tasting, brainstorm any questions you may have. These may be questions about the actual logistics of getting your cake to your wedding. It could be about cake cutting tools. The contingency plan in case something goes wrong. You may have questions about deposits and payments. Or about hidden fees or fees for delivery. Your questions may include the size of cake you should get, or about to-go boxes.

There are no wrong questions to ask, other than the ones you don’t bring up.

11. HAVE A NOTEPAD READY, AND YOUR CAMERA!

While you’re at your wedding cake tasting, come prepared.

This means the ability to take notes. Bring some paper and a pen. Or, figure out a way to write your thoughts in your phone. Take photos. Create a sort of system to track and rank what you ate. This will be super helpful when it comes time to make a choice.

12. ALLOW YOURSELF AT LEAST A FEW HOURS FOR EACH TASTING

The amount of time you’ll spend at your wedding cake tasting will vary per situation, but you should allow at least a couple hours.

Tasting is a process. You’ll likely be seated. And then you’ll taste cake. And then taste again. Those with you will talk about what they are tasting and tell you their opinions. The baker may spend time talking to you, answering questions or telling you information. There may be some breaks in between. Try not to rush the process. Just enjoy it, and take your time if you’re able to.

13. BRING A TOOTHBRUSH IF YOU’RE SENSITIVE TO SUGAR

Last tip on what to actually bring.

Since cake tends to be filled with sugar, you may want to brush your teeth afterwards. Not only will your mouth feel much better, but your dentist will be proud of you. This is in no way a requirement, but it’s something that may help your day go a little better after the tasting.

14. STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR BAKER AFTER THE WEDDING CAKE TASTING

Last wedding cake tasting tip!

After the tasting, keep in touch with your baker. You may need to leave a deposit at the tasting to secure your order. However, afterwards, be sure to check in with your baker. Ask about any changes to their system. Verify what you talked about is correct. Follow up on any actions you or they were supposed to take. A little communication goes a long way as you plan your wedding.

THOUGHTS ON WEDDING CAKE TASTING

Friends, there are so many ways to enhance your wedding cake tasting experience. The key is plan ahead, bring the right people, and take your time. Be sure to bring along supplies like a place to take notes, a device take photos, and also a toothbrush. Have a solid protein filled snack ahead of the tasting, and drink lots of water between cake slices. Have fun with the process! Happy wedding planning!

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