You have probably never had a wedding cake consultation before, and you may be wondering how you can prepare, what to ask and what to expect. I'm here to help! There are two types of consultation, initial and design. Below is everything you need to know about each. When, where and what happens.
Photography: APK Branding Stories, https://akpbrandingstories.co.uk/
Initial Consultation
When?:
You should begin researching wedding cake designers around 18 months before your wedding. For summer weddings, you may want to start a little earlier. See my previous blog post for my step-by-step guide to finding your dream wedding cake designer.
https://www.katrinasbespokecakes.com/post/how-to-find-your-dream-wedding-cake-designer
What to have prepared?
1. Details of your day - venue, number of guests, timings etc.
2. Inspiration images. These can be cake pictures, venue designs, dresses etc.
3. Your budget
4. Any questions you may have. Make a list so you don't forget in the moment!
Photography: APK Branding Stories, https://akpbrandingstories.co.uk/
What Happens?:
Before booking your wedding cake designer, you will probably be invited to an initial consultation. This is a call, video call or in-person meeting for you to meet the designer, tell them about your wedding and wedding cake vision and ask any questions you may have.
They will tell you about their process and how you will work together to bring your vision to life.
This step is crucial! As with any of your wedding suppliers, you will be working with this person for between 1 and 2 years. So liking them and trusting them to create a beautiful (and tasty) cake for your day is imperative to enjoying the planning part of your wedding. Nobody wants to dread working with a supplier you are paying!
Photography: APK Branding Stories, https://akpbrandingstories.co.uk/
Design Consultation
When?:
The design consultation will usually happen 8-3 months before your wedding day. This time will depend on your wedding cake designer's process. I conduct mine around 8-6 months before your day to allow plenty of time for design alterations.
At this stage, all the main aspects of your day will be booked or decided on. The choices you have made will be used as inspiration by your designer to help design your cake. For example, your colour scheme, flowers, wedding dress, invitations, the venue, the cake location at the venue, and personal touches e.g. initials, pets etc.
What to have prepared?
1. Make a pinterest board (your cake designer may do this for you) and add everything important from your day. You can add the designer as a collaborator, allowing them to see your inspiration and add ideas they think you may like/haven't thought of. More informstion equals more inspiration, so add as much as you can.
2. Have a list of any updates on your guest list, allergens etc.
Photography: APK Branding Stories, https://akpbrandingstories.co.uk/
What Happens?
The consultation may be held online or in person. This is designer dependant but both ways are absolutely fine.
You will talk more about your wedding and go through all the inspiration images you have or have added to your pinterest board. The designer will ask you questions about cake designs you have saved, what makes that cake stand out for you and show you alternative techniques or design options you may also be interested in.
They will be creating a list of the key design elements you want to incorporate into the design and showing you ways in which that can happen.
Some designers will begin sketching at the consultation and others will send you designs afterwards. This is all down to the personal preference of the designer and how they work. Some will provide you with one design that can be altered until you are happy, while others will send you multiple options. Make sure to ask what to expect.
You may also have a tasting at this consultation if you are in person, this will help you select what flavours you want in your cake. If your meeting is online, your samples will be posted to you, or be available for collection. Agian, one way isnt better than another, just different processes for different designers.
Photography: APK Branding Stories, https://akpbrandingstories.co.uk/
I hope this blog post helps answer any questions you have about wedding cake consultations. Best wishes and good luck. Katrina xx P.S. If you want to know more about working with me to create your dream wedding cake, follow the link below to complete my enquiry form. I look forward to hearing from you. https://www.katrinasbespokecakes.com/enquire
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