Wedding Blog
I’m sure this post will result in most of you thinking I’ve gone completely bonkers. Want to know why? I’ll give you a few hints:
How many of you guessed changing careers by going back to school to study the pastry arts?
** crickets **
No one?
Good, because that answer would have been wrong! The correct answer is: I’m making my own wedding cake. Well, sort of, anyway.
I love to decorate cakes and cupcakes, and I especially love working with fondant. Over the past few years I’ve taken a cake decorating class and have decorated (or helped my sisters decorate) quite a few cakes featuring butter cream roses, bows, and other shapes made of fondant. I’ve done intricate hand piping and decorative borders. I’ve even crafted one of those topsy-turvy whimsical cakes covered in fondant. From all of these experiences, I got this idea in my head that it would be fun to make our wedding cake (with the help of my sisters) so I started to look into ways I could accomplish my goal.
But the downside to making your own cake is that you’ll have to spend a few days before the wedding baking the cake layers and perfecting the decorations. I figured I could spare a few hours, but the amount of time needed to complete all the baking and the rest of the process just didn’t seem possible. But, with a well-crafted plan (and a secret that’s just between you and me *wink, wink*), I figured it out. I’ll use cake dummies!
Yep, the second picture above is of a foam cake dummy from Taylor Foam, Inc., of Oklahoma City. This is where I ordered a set of square, contoured-top cake dummies to craft my dream cake. By using the dummies, I can decorate about a week in advance. The guests will be served pieces of purchased sheet cake that will be hiding out in the kitchen, so they won’t miss out on any of the sugary goodness.
But, you ask, how are you going to do the whole ceremonial cake-cutting thing?
I have a plan for that, too.
One of the layers on the cake will be the real deal. I’ll be baking this layer 2 or 3 weeks in advance and decorating the Thursday before, since our wedding is on Sunday. I’m not too concerned about that layer being the freshest. Mr. DE and I will be only ones eating it and we’ll only be sampling a small bite. Even still, I don’t think 4-day-old cake will be all that bad.
In the next few weeks, I’m planning on doing a cake trial to see how it will turn out. I’ll be sure to take pictures and write a post (regardless of a success or failure). And, just in case it is a cake wreck, I do have a back-up plan. We’ll make cupcakes if the original idea is a flop, but I’m confident in our plan and confident in the cake decorating support of my sisters.
Are any of you taking on the task of making your own cake? What’s your plan of attack?
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Major props to you! I bake a lot as well and enjoy working with fondant…and have been asked far too many times if I’m making my own cake!
I think you’re smart to not take on making a true cake - it’s far too time consuming when you have so much else going on and so much can go wrong. This way you can just stick to the fun decorating part! And, sicne so many cake cuttings happen at the beginning of the reception, there’s so little time where the guests are even able to admire the expensive cakes these days! Major props to you, I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Good luck Miss DE!
If I can’t find a cake bakery soon I’m going to purchase a plain wedding cake from a superstore in town and decorate it myself
Just wanted to add that I will be freezing the layer I’ll be baking a few weeks in advance and then letting it thaw right before I decorate. I guess I left out that little, but important detail. I don’t want any of you guys thinking we’ll be sampling moldy cake!
WOW!! I give you so much props for taking all that on!! You are a true DIY at heart!
good for you! hope the cake turns out, but the foam idea is brilliant so you aren’t stressed with decorating the dake two days before the wedding!
Can’t wait to see your idea!
Good luck! I hope we can see some progress report posts!
why don’t you do some test runs right now? My sister and I are making my wedding cake together, but they’re not going to be multi-tiered. We’re going to bake the layers mid-week and then freeze them.
I think it’s awesome! If I were having my wedding in Chicago, I would *attempt* to do the same thing.
Yay!
My FMIL and me will make the cakes for the wedding - we’re having a cake buffet so I think it’ll be easier than making one big wedding cake. Good luck! Will you be making a trial run?
My friends did the same thing as a recommendation from their baker! The top two tiers were the dummy cake and only the large bottom tier was real. They did their cake cutting ceremony and then the cake was taken to the back to be cut and distributed and the guest were none the wiser. Good for you–great way to cut your wedding cost!! And good luck!! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
I am so impressed (and jealous) that you are doing this! I really wanted to decorate wedding-themed sugar cookies for our favors, but I didn’t trust myself to bake and decorate 200+ of them without going bonkers!
WOW.. I would love to have that talent.. haha no I’m not going anywhere near my cake… =P
Just make sure the dummy cake is taken to the back. I was just talking with someone who was at a wedding where she was being served cake while the dummy cake was still sitting in the middle of the dance floor. It just ruins the effect.
Darn I wish I were artistic! I have the greatest respect for that..very impressed too that you’re doing your own cake!
I watched the reality show this weekend (when I was getting a mani/pedi at the salon) about the cake divas and some other bakery create these elaborate wedding cakes and every woman in the salon was in awe right along with me! Such talent!
I love fondant topped cakes too..
@Beth: Good point! I already had a conversation with the caterer about this, but I’ll be sure to remind them on the day of.
wow, I’m so impressed you’re taking it on! Can’t wait to see how it turns out… care to share pics of your other cake decorating work so we can drool over it?
Fun!! My mom and aunt are making my cake, but I never thought about a dummy, that would probably be useful to practice on too…
You are a brave girl. 
I wish I had the talent (and knowledge) to make a gorgeous cake.
You clever thing. That’s so fun! I can’t wait to see it!
Am i the only one who thinks this is a bit silly? I mean, it’s awesome that you are doing this, and I’m sure it will turn out cool… It just seems like a lot of work for a fake cake.
Major props to you for attempting this. As a guest, I’d probably prefer sheetcake to regular wedding cake anyway — I LOVE sheetcake, esp. the kind from the supermarket.
I got a tip from a dummy cake place once… if you run out of time and patience to bake that real tier, you can just cut a hunk out of one of the foam layers and fill it with twinkies or ho-hos or even a slice of real cake, and decorate the dummy cake. You can make a little mark on your platter or small score marks right on the fondant at the bottom to indicate to you and your FI where the twinkies/cake is… so you can slice into that part. It might save you a hunk of time/money, especially because you’re probably not going to eat that whole layer.
Great idea DE! I took a couple of cake decorating classes and have a huge toolbox of supplies that has been collecting dust. You’ve inspired me to start up again! Can’t wait to see your design plans!
Miss DE! This is a secret desire of mine! I love that you are taking charge and making this happen!!! I am hoping to have cupcakes at the wedding and you have just inspired me to think (i’m still far away from the big day) about doing my own cupcakes!
@Mrs. Penguin: what a great idea pengy!
good luck miss de. didn’t two other bees make their cakes? mrs bubblegum and licorice right? i can’t remember off the top of my head.
my sister is a baker and as asked to make our cake when we get married. total score.
Good for you, Miss DE!! The concept of making your own wedding cake reminded me of that Bridezilla episode where the bride tries to make 40 individual cakes for each table at her reception. I can’t remember what happens, but I think she ends up getting drunk and ruining a lot of the cakes. Hee hee!
I think you will do a fabulous job! I can’t wait to see how things turn out.
I can’t wait to see how your cake turns out I’m sure it is going to look awesome!
I’ve been to school for cake art and have done many cakes… except my wedding cake.. I’m a huge DYI fan, but spending days before making my own cake.. stressful! hope all goes well!
great idea DE! I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I’m so interested to know if this works!
oh- one quick question…do you make the fondant or is there somewhere you purchase it?
@Luvbug6315: I’m planning on making the fondant. I have a recipe I normally use, but I don’t have it handy right now. I’ll be sure to include it in a future post. You could probably search for it online. It’s called Marshmallow Fondant.
Yes. DE has gone mad!! Just kidding… sort of. It sounds like you have plenty of experience so I bet this will turn out great!
I’m making my own cake too. It’s going to be simple, 3 tier yellow cake with passionfruit buttercream icing. I just made a practice one for a birthday party and it was great. I am keeping the decorations very simple - just fresh flowers. I posted my “trial” cake on my blog - check it out! It was time consuming, but a lot easier than I expected. Have fun!!
I’ve also heard of having a hiddable “hole” in the back of the fake cake where underneath you have some real cake to eat/maybe even cut. good luck!
@ankile: Very cool! I agree about keeping it simple. I like the cakes you are using for inspiration.
I SO wish I would’ve just done this. I made my cake. Yes.. crazy insane bride decided I was not going to spend $500 on a cake that most of it would be thrown away so I made my cake. A four tier octagon shaped cake. If I could change anything about the wedding it would be that because it stressed me out soooo much!
Good luck!
Pastry chef here…
I don’t think decorating a stack of foam tiers counts as making a cake! The actual baking and assembly requires serious skill and a huge chunk of time. Most people don’t know how to make good cake.
I went to many tastings - many with people whose cakes have appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, etc - but I was completely unsatisfied with the quality of cakes that I tried. I was shocked that some people were attempting to charge me $13/slice for something that was visually stunning but tasted no better than a supermarket cake. My #1 criterion was that the cake had excellent texture and taste. However, most people will eat anything sweet and don’t know a good cake from a great cake. I had disappoinment after disappointment - beautiful cakes but literally no substance to them.
I was THIS close to deciding to make my own cake - at least I could ensure that the cake itself would be excellent - but thankfully I found my baker, who not only makes gorgeous cakes, but also makes cakes that have wonderful flavor and texture.
Phew!
Good for you!! I can’t wait to see trial pics!! Good luck, fingers crossed over her just for you…. And worst comes to worst, nobody can resist a cupcake.
Go Miss DE!! I can’t wait to see the results and how it all works out! I am thinking about decorating our cake too! =)
What a huge undertaking, but it sounds like you have a good plan. I hope it all works out! I can hardly wait to hear how your trial goes. Good Luck!
I am a pastry chef myself. I can tell you it is a lot of work but if you have the passion to do it go for it. You can bake the cake ahead and freeze them. just make sure you cover them up really well with plastic wrap paper. It is becoming very popular now to use individual mini wedding cakes. you can make them ahead too by making sheet cakes, cut them using a round cookie cutter , layer them with any flavor you want or butter cream and decorate with fondant or butter cream. If you need more help send me an e-mail I will be more than happy to help.
I too have been asked if I’ll be baking my own wedding cake since I’m the baker in the family (I won’t!). I made my niece’s wedding cake and made the mistake of doing ALL of it the day before. My back was killing me by the end of the day, and wearing heels the next day was not exactly fun.
I have to agree with boldbride (reply#40) do not forget that the cake is also one of the main attractions in the wedding, if you want everything to be perfect, try to get good baker that make cakes from scratch, not frozen and put attention to details. The weather, location, time ect can determine the success or failure of make a perfect cake.
Good Luck! I can’t wait to see how it tuns out!
I love your idea! Dummy cakes are very common nowadays to add-on to cakes to make it look fabulous. It’s a very good idea and you save a lot too.
Thanks for the post. My foam cake from Taylor Foam arrived yesterday and I am beyond excited to decorate it!
I really want to serve cupcakes to my guests, but I love the look of a large cake AND we’re cutting the cake with a sword so I needed something with a little more heft.
I had planned on having our cake baker decorate a fake cake (and stuff a wedge of real cake in somewhere) and then bake 6 different kinds of cupcakes, from my own recipes. After months of testing cake recipes I’ve decided that I just don’t want to give this one up; I want to make our cupcakes!
I’m excited, I think it will be stressful, but fun. And baking for other people is what I do so it’s another element of “us” in the wedding.
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Mrs. Deviled Egg, Pittsburgh
Age and Occupation: 27, Public Relations
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Accounting
Engagement Date: December 24, 2007
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Blogging Since: October 21, 2008
Venue: Historic auditorium and meeting hall in one of Pittsburgh's commuter cities
About Me: I am obsessed with all things crafty, especially scrapbooking, knitting, jewelry-making & cake decorating. I also love being an aunt, wrapping presents, watching football (Go Steelers!), shopping at yard sales and consignment stores, procrastinating, singing and learning to play the guitar. When it comes to wedding planning, I'm excited about working on DIY projects and finding creative ways to stay under budget. Of course, nothing is more exciting to me than knowing that the wonderful Mr. Deviled Egg will be my husband.
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