How long should I allow to order my wedding cake?

I often get asked how much time my couples need to allow to order a wedding cake, so I've put together a little graphic to help you understand the process and work out your timescales.

The first 5 steps can happen at any time. The last 6 steps all happen in the last 6 weeks in the run up to your wedding.

So how does it all work?

Initial query

Once you contact The Dandelion Bakery, you'll be asked for a few details and then I'll send you an initial rough quote in the first 2-3 days.

Quote and design phase

Prices vary depending on cake designs so if you have a clear idea of what you're looking for I can give you a reasonably accurate price. If your ideas are not so fully formed, I can give you a price bracket. I can also make suggestions and help you to formulate your ideas to give you the perfect cake.

This process can take some time, again, depending on whether or not you have a clear idea of what you'd like. It usually takes 4-12 weeks.

Cake tasting

As part of the design process, you will be offered a complimentary cake tasting. Choosing the flavours of the cake is just as important as choosing the design!

Final cake design agreed

No more than a week after the cake tasting you'll receive a completed order detailing all of the choices you've made. You then have two weeks to review it, make sure you're happy, ask for any changes, sign it and return it.

Order form signed and deposit paid: cake booked in!

Yey! Once I have your signed order form and deposit back you're booked in. You now won't hear from me for a while. I'm always on the other end of an email if you need to get in touch, but, unless your plans change and you want to speak to me, the next step is...

Confirmation email sent

6 weeks ahead of the wedding you'll receive an email confirming the details, asking any final questions if anything is outstanding and with the invoice for the final balance.

Final order confirmed and balance paid

4 weeks ahead of the wedding you'll need to pay the balance and your order is finalised. We can't make any more changes past this point because...

Supplies ordered

As soon as the balance is paid, I get ordering! There are always specific details with every cake that need to be ordered in, whether it be the ribbon to exactly match your colour scheme or particular moulds or tools to get just the right finish.

If you're having any ornate decorations like sugar flowers I'll be starting work on them now too.

Venue and other suppliers contacted to confirm details

2 weeks ahead of your wedding I will contact your venue to confirm delivery and set up timescales and other arrangements. If you are having fresh flowers on your cake I'll also call your florist, and any other suppliers that are relevant.

Bake and decorate

3 to 4 days ahead of the wedding, I make a start on the cake. I bake as late as I can to make sure that the cake is as fresh as possible and naked cakes will be baked closer to the day than fondant finish cakes.

Cake delivery and set up - the wedding day!

At the time arranged with your venue, I'll deliver, set up and decorate your cake.

Usually, the process takes 3 to 6 months so ordering at least 3 months before your wedding is a really good idea. You can order further ahead than that - I take bookings up to 24 months ahead - but to give yourself time to think and breathe, aim for 6 months ahead of the wedding.

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