Wedding Cake Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Mossy oak camoflage wedding invitations and supplies?
   I am getting married october 2010. It is not a very Traditional type wedding, obviously if im looking for camouflage wedding supplies. I am on a very tight budget but still want to have a nice wedding. Really looking for invitations that are not military camo, but hunting camo. Also any help finding camo wedding cake toppers would be a great help. Also any other help planning a camo wedding would be helpful, due to this is my one and only wedding.

   • ANSWER:
     here are some websites that you can go to. i hope they help you out!! good luck!

     http://www.thisnext.com/ti/camouflage/camouflage-wedding/

     http://www.askginka.com/themes/hunting-theme-wedding-party.htm

     this is a good one!http://www.coloradocarla.com/CamouflageHunterWeddings.htm

     http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=handmade&search_query=camo+wedding+&order=date_desc&ship_to=

2. QUESTION:
   Will My Baker Supply the Wedding Cake Topper?
   Can my baker supply a wedding cake topper for me? Or do I have to buy one myself?

   • ANSWER:
     most bakeries have wedding cake toppers, but in limited styles and types, so if you want something which is uniquely yours, you should look for one on your own.

     these days, people use intitials, little figurines of all types which represent things they love or private jokes between the couple, flowers, crystals, jewerly, ribbons and all sorts of things. the main thing is to find something which represents the two of you and which fits in with who you are as a couple.

     i have seen people choose toppers which fit their wedding theme, like crystal swans, hearts, balloons, small model cars or motorcycles, horses, shells, on and on….there is really no end to what you can do with that small little space on top of a wedding cake.

3. QUESTION:
   How to create this wedding cake myself. Plus what baking supplies I’ll need.?
   Specifically…How do I get the frosting so perfect? How do I make that perfect cherry blossom branch and the blossoms? Where do I get the big huge cake baking pans I’m going to need? Do I make the cake recipe from scratch?

   http://blog.pinkcakebox.com/double-happiness-wedding-cake-2008-02-19.htm

   • ANSWER:
     You need to practice first. Make at least one tiered cake so you know you can do the supports in it, and practice covering with fondant. It’s not that easy to get a smooth bottom edge on fondant and that particular design doesn’t have a lot of detail to cover up mistakes.

     About the pans, you can get them at the craft store or Walmart. You need two sizes with a 4″ difference in diameter…for example, a 14″ and a 10″ or if you’re having less people, a 12″ and a 8″. You’ll need to bake at least two layers for each tier.

     To make the flowers, buy gumpaste and tint it red. You’re going to have to get blossom cutters, either the plunger type or the Wilton kit that you can find at the craft store, along with a ball tool and a package of tiny pearl stamens (also at the craft store). Make a bunch of flowers with different sizes of 5 petal cutters. Insert one stamen in the small ones and several in the larger ones. Dry them on crumpled foil or in flower formers or in an artist’s palette that has never been used for paint. The idea is to dry them with a curved shape so they stand out and add dimension to your design. When the flowers are dry, you can dust them with petal dust or paint them with red gel color mixed with vodka, if they’re not a dark enough red. Store the dried flowers in a covered box until you need them.

     I would make the bottom board out of three thicknesses of foamcore board, covered with fondant. It should be four inches bigger than your largest tier. Finish the edge with a satin ribbon glued on with tacky glue. You could use a black ribbon around the edge and white fondant on the board, for a nice contrast and to bring out the color of the tree.

     After you have the bottom board done, set it aside to dry. Cut a foamcore circle the same size as each of your tiers and cover it with press and seal wrap. It needs to be the same size as the cake, which is usually a bit smaller than the pan, so if you trace the pan to make the circle, cut inside your outline. If you’re doing a 14″ tier for the bottom, you need two thicknesses of foamcore so it doesn’t bend under the weight. Make a hole in the exact center of the board for the top tier, not a big hole.

     Bake your cakes, cool them, level them, then fill. Wrap in plastic wrap and allow to settle overnight. The next day, crumbcoat them and put them in the fridge if they’ll fit. Let them firm up, then set the cake on something with a smaller diameter…for a 14″ layer, a regular plastic turntable will be smaller than the layer, for a 10″ layer you’ll want to use a smaller pan turned upside down, set on top of your turntable. The reason for this is that the fondant has to stretch to cover the cake without wrinkles. Usually wrinkles will form around the base, but if the fondant can hang past the bottom of the cake, the wrinkles will form below, in the part that you can cut off. Smooth the fondant with your hands or a smoother until it looks perfectly smooth, then use kitchen shears to trim the fondant just below the cake board so you have a perfect bottom edge. Transfer the bottom tier to the decorated board, keeping it on the board that it’s already on. Measure the height of your tier and cut the dowels to the right height. The dowels all have to be exactly the same height. The number of dowels will depend on the size of the cake. I use hollow plastic dowels and I use 6 of them in a 14″ cake. Arrange them in a circle where they will support the upper tier. Don’t push them all the way into the cake. Cut a center dowel to be two inches shorter than the height of your two cakes together and sharpen one end with a new pencil sharpener. Push the sharpened end into the center of the bottom tier until you feel it go through the cake board at the bottom. You can use a hammer if you need to. Next, cover the top tier with fondant and lower it onto the bottom tier, making sure the center dowel goes through the hole you made in the cake board before you put the cake on it. The weight of the upper tier will push the dowels the rest of the way into the cake and you’ll have time to get your hands out from underneath it.

     Next, pipe a bead border with a medium round tip, maybe a 7, around the base of both tiers. Roll black fondant or gumpaste into snake shapes, tapering at the ends, and attach them to the cake using some gum glue (tylose mixed with water). Then use gum glue to attach the red flowers.

     Paint the character on the top tier with red gel food coloring…don’t use Americolor super red because it darkens a lot, I would use Wilton’s no-taste red because it doesn’t darken much as it dries.

     As long as you have a couple of months to make a few practice cakes, you should be able to do it with no problems. About the cake recipe, I don’t like to use straight box mixes, I use the white almond sour cream recipe that you can find posted a million different places on the web. I also make my own marshmallow fondant,

4. QUESTION:
   I am looking for a list of wholesalers or manufacturers of wedding supplies, like garters,glasses,cake toppers
   I would like to buy these type of things to sell on line and in the reseach mode right now. I have been thinking about concentrating on western weddings and other themed weddings. Looking to obtain catalogs or websites. Any information I can get is greatly appreciated.

   • ANSWER:
     here are a couple sites that are pretty nice. Good luck.

5. QUESTION:
   What supplies do i need to buy for this wedding cake?
   I will be making my brother’s wedding cake in June, and I would like to start buying the supplies asap. I have never made a wedding cake before, so i am really unsure of what i need to buy. The cake will be four tiers (8,10,12 and 14 inch squares). They want to put peonies between each layer, with wire with gems hanging off of them at the top (no idea what this is called). I will be covering each tier in fondant, and adding pearl border as well. So here are my questions:
   1. Should I use the push-in pillar or separator plate and pillar method?
   2. What size separator plates do i need?
   3. What should i use for the wire and gems?
   4. Do i put cardboard between the cake and cake drum, or do I just set it on there?

   Sorry I have so many questions! I just don’t want to mess this up. Thank you so much for your time

   • ANSWER:
     First, these tier sized will only serve about 160, not 200+. If they save the top tier for their anniversary, thats about 140 servings. At the 200+ servings, the slices will be VERY small so that’s up to you.

     Now that we have that out of the way, to answer your questions.

     1. You will need to use the separator plate / pillars to have room to place peonies in between the layers. Make sure you leave about 3 to 4 inches between each tier since peonies are large flowers.

     2. You want your separator plates to be the same size as your cake.

     3. You can use floral wire and gems. You can find these at most craft stores or online. It is best if you have a pic to show the sales person.

     4. I would use cardboard under the cake and then make sure you use a sturdy cake drum made of wood or plastic or an actual cake plate. The cardboard/foil ones you buy in the store are not sturdy enough to support the weight of this cake.

     In addition, if you are going for flavor do not use Wilton fondant. Use Choco-Pan or Pettinice fondant. Also, use a silicon fondant mold and pearl dust for your pearl border. The mold and dust can be bought at www.countrykitchensa.com. The dust can also be bought at www.discountsugarflowers.com. You can also purchase gumpaste peonies here if they don’t want to use real ones.

     Hope this helps…

6. QUESTION:
   How do you build a wedding cake?
   I want to try to build a wedding cake. I really want to know how to stack the cakes. What do I use to stack them. Where can I get all of the supplies needed? (I live in Nashville, TN) Also, are there any classes that I can take? Or any websites that I can go to? Thanks in Advance!!!!!!

   • ANSWER:
     you should put card board circles in between the different cakes,
     that’s what my sister did!

7. QUESTION:
   Did you have a wedding cake?
   I was wondering how many of you decided not to bother with a wedding cake. If your caterer supplies a bountiful dessert table, is a cake still necessary these days? If you have been at a wedding recently I would love to have your opinion as well.

   • ANSWER:
     I honestly think a wedding cake is a must for a wedding. I have never personally been, nor heard, of a wedding not having wedding cake. That’s just weird to me. I’m definitely going to have a wedding cake. My fiance and I not having a wedding cake wasn’t even on my mind.
     I’m not going to have a lot of sweets at my wedding since the cake will be enough. I’m going to have finger foods like fruit, dips, cheese, crackers, sandwiches, spinach and artichoke dip, etc. My mom and her best friend are going to probably do all of that.

8. QUESTION:
   Real seashells on a wedding cake?
   Does anyone know if there is any danger in putting real seashells on a beach themed wedding cake? Should I supply a waver to the person who is purchasing the cake that would release me from any harm, injury, etc? Thanks…

   • ANSWER:
     I would NEVER put that on a cake. EVER. your best bet is to either use a silicon shell mold and do them out of fondant or buy a shell chocolate mold and do them chocolate. inedible things should rarely be on a cake unless it is for support.

9. QUESTION:
   Can anyone tell me where I can find a wholesaler for wedding cake toppers?
   I basically need to find a wholesaler who can supply a large amount of a certain cake topper – in particular a small white plastic dove usually mounted on a silver/gold ring mainly found being sold for wedding cakes – I’ve found some from some small sellers but they don’t supply the amount I need and are proving expensive! Any help would be greatly appreciated

   • ANSWER:
     these may be able to help you http://www.wilton.com/

10. QUESTION:
    Looking for professional cake supplies, where can i buy some?
    My sister and I have a samll cake bussincess on the side and are looking for things like large quantities of shimmer, edible gold for painting on fondant, etc. Things that are featured on the cake challenges on the food network (Collette Peters, the wedding bake designer uses a lot of neat stuff.) Where can we get stuff like that?

    • ANSWER:
      check this

      http://bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=102

11. QUESTION:
    Can my baker supply a wedding cake topper for me? Or do I have to buy one myself?

    • ANSWER:
      Most bakeries will have a sampling of wedding cake toppers available, but some may have only a limited selection. If you don’t like what you see, it’s perfectly fine to branch out on your own. Ask your baker if he/she can recommend a source with more diverse options. Browse online. Search The Knot Wedding Supplies Store and other retail outlets (mail order invitation catalogs are a good place to look). Craft shops and cooking emporiums will have them too. Or go for something completely unconventional — any sort of figurine, flower arrangement, even cookies in the shapes of your initials can be a cool way to top off a classy wedding confection.

12. QUESTION:
    Where can I find a star shaped wedding cake topper?
    I am having a star themed wedding and I cannot find a simple star shaped cake topper. I am trying to find one that I can just order online. None of my local bridal supply shops carries anything like that. Can you please advise me where to find something?

    • ANSWER:
      Have you looked through Christmas or holiday clearance at stores.
      Plenty of star toppers. Recently at Target’s in the home decor section, a 3-4 dimensional star with a pewter color frame, some with caprize shells, some just the form might work.

      Visit a year round christmas store in your area and get some ideas.

      Good luck.

13. QUESTION:
    Where can I buy edible rhinestones for my wedding cake?
    I’ve seen edible rhinestones used on wedding cakes. Does anyone know where I can buy these and supply to my baker? He’s never heard of it.

    • ANSWER:
      I think they are tiny drops of hard crack sugar syrup as in lollipops.

      Try a specialty candy store.

14. QUESTION:
    How much should I charge for custom wedding cake toppers?
    I got to buy supplies, and spent about 10 hours overall making them. There is a 5 inch diameter mirror for the base, a bride and groom 4-5 inches tall and a small dog in front of them.
    I’m wondering what would be a fair price to sell them for to the couple that wanted them.

    • ANSWER:
      Ask for at least . Your actual cost to make it is plus 10 hrs times minimum wage. If you were in CA, it would be 20+(10*8)=100. In the future, you might want to map out with the couple how much it will cost per hour for the creation and how long you think it will take.

15. QUESTION:
    Where do I go to order the wedding supplies?
    I’m mostly looking for everything other than apparel and cake. I don’t have the slightest clue what to do as far as glassware, silverware, dishware, cloth napkins, and tablecloths. If any one has any websites for ordering those things or with specific vendor information, I would much appreciate it. I’m so lost with this it hurts.

    • ANSWER:
      Unless you plan on using glassware, dishware and the like again, consider party rentals.
      Party rentals are a great way to get some really nice, quality items without paying a ton of money or being stuck with 20 60″ tablecloths you’ll never have use for again!
      Do a google search for party rental or party supply in your area.

16. QUESTION:
    What is the grooms mothers responsibilities in a very small wedding?
    My son has decided to get married and is only giving me a month to prepare. It is informal, just vows exchanged in a very small church with immediate family, around 25 people combined. This is my first time, my only son. We haven’t any money to spend so the budget is small. I was told I am to supply the food for the wedding rehearsal and the reception. Also clean-up. Is there anything else? I don’t want to look foolish, I haven’t met her parents and won’t until the day of the wedding, they live out of town. Do I also supply the wedding cake? I understand her parents are more broke than I am, what are their responsibilities? The kids ( they are 21) already have a dress, a suit and rings. Do I also supply the decorations for the reception? Oh, dear. I know I just can’t afford this! Please help!

    • ANSWER:
      What about dividing the total cost by 3…you, the kids, and his parents. You can have the small wedding at the church, and have cake and punch outside (if the church doesn’t have a room or hall). Is there a park near the church? Minimal decorations will be needed, as you can set the cake and punch on one picnic table, with a small centerpiece. Add some balloons and a money tree to be added to by the guests. A portable CD player can be used if music is wanted.

      The day isn’t about how much money is spent, but how much love is shared.

17. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know any shops in Ohio that you can purchase wedding supplies?
    I am looking for shops that sell everything from cake toppers, to favors, to things to make favors. I just don’t want to buy over the internet because I want to see the items I am buying first. Any suggestions would help out tremendously. Thank you

    • ANSWER:
      Although you don’t want to shop over the intnernet, I still suggest looking at www.customweddingsolutions.com They have a huge selection. We used them for our stuff and everything was wonderful. They have a pretty flexible return ploicy if you are not happy with an item.

18. QUESTION:
    average cost of a wedding cake?
    I’m making a wedding cake for my friend in August. She is asking me for a price but I have no idea. I figured I would definitely add up all of the supplies and then add more for labor. Considering it’s at the shore so I’m going to have to drive a half an hour plus putting the cake together there. Anyone have a price range?

    • ANSWER:
      If it’s a friend I would adjust the price a tad to be nice.

      Most cakes around here cost between 0 and 0 depending on how big and elaborate. I’m paying 500 for a 3 layer square, swiss curl, Red velvet cake!

      Hope it turns out gorgeous.

19. QUESTION:
    How much for my wedding cake?
    My aunts friend is doing my wedding cake for me… she does it as a “side job” and is very good. She only asks for money to cover the cost of supplies, but I feel bad not giving her any more than that.

    I am having a 5 tier cake (three in the center on columns, one on each side elevated, connecting by stairs)… two tiers are chocolate with vanilla and the others are vanilla on vanilla…

    She asked for 0 for the supplies… what would be appropriate to give her for her time?
    I hadnt ever met her before my aunt suggested me using her… she wont be able to be at the ceremony because she will be setting up at the reception site.

    Shes a stranger to me, so I would feel bad not giving her anything else
    When I shopped around at local bakers, for a cake like I am having, it would cost around 0
    For the record, I didnt give details about my cake so that people could give their own opinions… I’ve decided what I wanted, so no need for extra comments… Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      If she asked you to only pay 0 for supplies, you should respect what she asked. Paying someone, especially a family member, for doing a favor for you is a bit crass. As an additional thank you, you should write her a card and take her out to dinner or send flowers.

20. QUESTION:
    Cost of makeing your own wedding cake?
    my wedding was last week and one of my bridesmaids made the cake.. she went to pastry and baking school so i figured she had it handled.. i gave her a pic of a regular 3 tiered wedding cake to feed about 250 people… she was only charging me for supplies… when she brought the cake to the reception it was a mess… unequal parts, lopsided, undecorated (my other bridesmaids had to decorate it) and my maid of honor said she iced it in the car on the way there so clearly she put no work into it at all… the whole time leading up to the wedding the cost was 150 then on the day of the wedding it was 250 ??? im not willing to pay this but i dint know how much ingredients are either…could it really have cost that much? it was only about a 1 1/2 feet long and 1 1/2 feet tall??

    • ANSWER:
      You can go to Walmart and buy a three tierd cake for 0!! That includes ingredients and decoration time and work!

      I’m having someone make my cake from and reputable cake business that uses the fondont icing! What great detailed decoration and it’s feeding 150 people and it’s three tierd! For 0-0!! The cake you got (since she did pretty much NO work) just baking it and stacking it and buying the stuff (which she probably bought pilsbury cake mix since she OBVIOUSLY didn’t care) should cost you AT MOST !!!!

      DON’T PAY HER 0!!!!!!! YOU ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF!!!
      Stand ur ground girl!!!

21. QUESTION:
    Where can i find kim anderson wedding supplies?
    candles, cake toppers

    • ANSWER:
      Here’s what I found doing a basic google search…

      http://www.bridesvillage.com/kimancolcoms.html

22. QUESTION:
    baker didn’t do a good job on my wedding cake – what to do?
    My baker and I communicated a lot about what I wanted for my wedding cake. I spent quite a bit of time with her, bought her supplies she didn’t have, and organized quite a bit to accommodate her. We live in a smaller town where beggars can’t really be choosers.

    The baker topped the cake with a bunch of flowers that were too heavy for the top layer. Because she didn’t make a level cake, the flowers slid off, taking a good bit of the cake with it on the lower layers down. The cake tasted good, i.e., we definitely ate it, but it was really quite unattractive. It looked like the leaning tower of Pisa and several guests mentioned something about this to me.

    My question is: what should I do about this? She baked a cake that tasted good, but the appearance of the cake was really ruined before it was served. It was too bad too, because the cake was really important to me. When I called her to ask what we could do about it, she hung up on me. I wasn’t swearing or yelling, just asking her if I could get a partial refund. I don’t have the money to actually sue her and I think it’s really not THAT big a deal. But as a consumer, what can/should I do to either get my money back (or part of it) or make sure this doesn’t happen to others?

    • ANSWER:
      Word of mouth is the best way to make your opinion of wedding vendors known. Obviously you will not recommend her to others. I don’t think you have much of a chance to get any refund, but you could write a well-worded letter explaining your dissatisfaction and your decision not to recommend her to future brides. You said you live in a small town, so word will probably get around fast (mention that in your letter). If you have pictures of the cake, you should definitely include one with the letter so she can see exactly what you complaint is. Remember she has many clients and may not remember what your cake looked like. In your letter, state exactly what you want the baker to do to satisfy you as a customer. Ex. “If you want to show goodwill to me as a dissatisfied customer, you should refund (half, ___%) of the $____ we paid for the cake.”

      I would not ask for a full refund since the cake was eaten. You really didn’t have much of a choice, but to serve the cake. I’m glad it tasted good at least.

23. QUESTION:
    wedding cake question?
    im wanting to have a miniature wedding cake at my bridal shower… i can get it from sams club for a great price… only problem is they said they will have to sell the tiers seperately? im going to have a 10in layer on bottom and a 5 in on top. what supplies do i need to put the 5 in on the 10in. how do i go about doing this?

    http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/detailview.aspx?id=16260&type=3&Wedding_Details=cake&colors=white&pageindex=3

    like this, only different decoration, and buttercream icing. help!

    • ANSWER:
      If they don’t provide you with what you need, you can create your own. Just buy some wooden dowels to insert into the bottom cake and cut them off to be the same height as the cake. Then just sit the second cake on top. Both cakes should be on cake boards.

24. QUESTION:
    where can i find silver pearl dust for cake decorating?
    my grandma is making a wedding cake and the cake has to silver and blue pearls (eatable] and we have went every where to look for it! hobby lobby,ben Franklin’s,whites office supplies,the party house, wal mart EVERY where and still nothing! does any one know where i could find this from!

    • ANSWER:
      The only place to look is in a store that sells cake decorating supplies. Use the yellow pages

25. QUESTION:
    How much is too much for wedding cake?
    I’m making wedding goodies for a girl I used to work with. She wants an 8″ two tier wedding cake decorated with a scroll and polka dot sort of design, and 50 cupcakes decorated with sugar flowers and sugar pearls. The whole 9 yards in other words. She’s also borrowing my cupcake stand that I have to repaint and decorate to match her cake. Just curious, how much would YOU consider is fair to pay?

    So far I’ve spent about 140 on supplies, ingredients, etc, so I would need cost to be covered at least. She’s not particularly my friend and I never promised her a “deal”. So, honest opinion time.

    Here’s a picture of the cake she wants, minus the third tier.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/ricachica4/Cake#5582502370424888930

    • ANSWER:
      between 500.00 and 700.00, maybe 800. You’re doing a lot of work in making a cake and cupcakes and decorations. I know the person that is making my cake is charging me 5 dollars PER sugar flower. Not sure if that’s a rip off or not, because I don’t know the amount of time and effort that goes into something like that.

      Or you could break it down into a more itemized charge, like

      350.00 for the cake
      2.00 – 3.00 per cupcake
      50.00 for the stand

      and if you’re going to deliver it for her maybe a small fee there as well?

26. QUESTION:
    Anyone know were I can get same-sex wedding favors and planning supplies?
    I am moving to Canada to live with my Canadian betrothed and as there are no same-sex weddings where I am currently living I am having trouble finding wedding supplies for our wedding. I am looking for everything from shower gifts and fun bridal tees to cake toppers and cerimony things. I would like any and all help. The cerimony will be in Canada. I would really like fun things as the reception will be casual and the cerimony somewhat formal. so if you have ideas please speak up. Thanks
    Okay revising message here. I am looking for same sex wedding thing for my wedding. Not looking to make a poster gay wedding just looking for fun touches. Like her/her tees and stuff. Maybe bride/bride hats and other fun little things. Just looking around for ideas mainly, my wedding is not for a little over a year and looking at all my options and any cute fun ideas. Casual wedding reception and formal cerimony. So I was mainly looking to get ideas as I said and see what is out there. If you know anything please let me know. Any ideas are welcome. Thank you for taking the time.

    • ANSWER:
      I found these.

      http://www.cafepress.com/mygayweddingday

      http://www.theknot.com/keywords/in_198.shtml

      http://www.gayweddingday.com/gay_bride_favors.html

      http://www.gayweddingday.com/gay_groom_favors.html

      Hey if you wanted to hand out gay pride favors you do what you want. It is going to be your day. Don’t let the ninnies diminish your happy news.

27. QUESTION:
    Where do I go to buy decorative cake supplies?
    I want to start making/selling special occasion wedding, birthday, and baby shower cakes. I just want to know if anyone knows what kind of store or whatever I can go to to find the stuff to make the cakes. A list of SOME of the things I will need are:

    cake stands
    scale
    fondant
    gum paste
    fondant smoothers
    standing mixer
    cake drum
    serrated knives
    paring knives
    large piping tip
    bench scraper
    cake pans
    foam core
    hardsaw
    pasta machine
    plastic and wooden dowels
    sieve
    turnable
    wet pastry brush
    wooden mallet or hammer
    wooden skewers
    plastic mat
    drafting triangle
    clay gun
    stitching tool
    gum paste tools
    plastic blossom cutters
    pastry bag
    pastry tips
    cookie cutters
    leaf cutters
    palette knives
    scalpel
    x-acto knives
    cloth covered wires
    lollipop sticks
    and a lot more!!!

    Any ideas are EXTREMELY welcome!!! I have no idea what store or what kind of store to find these cake things on… also if anyone can think of anything I forgot to mention that I will need, then please let me know. I need to make sure I am getting everything I will need. Any cake making tips are also welcome! Thanks so much!!!

    • ANSWER:
      Hi Kandace!
      You can buy decorative cake supplies on Amazon.

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26field-keywords%3Ddecorative%2bcake%2bsupplies%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Dgrocery&tag=digitsy-post-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

28. QUESTION:
    who makes the dress on amazing wedding cakes?
    On a recent episode of amazing wedding cakes, Christopher Garren makes a wedding cake that replicates a brides dress. The dress is very fancy and fitted. Does anyone known who makes this dress? In the episode the bride supplied the picture of the dress but they never said who made the dress. Thanks for your help!

    • ANSWER:
      I believe it was made by Christopher Garren

29. QUESTION:
    Where can I find a Christmas wedding cake stand like this one?
    Many people are trying to find a large sleigh-and-reindeer cake stand like the one on this page:

    http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/seasonal-themes/glorious-winter-favor-ideas/

    No one seems to be able to track it down.

    Obviously it would cost $$$ but I have no idea where to find it. It looks like something you’d buy from a floral supply shop, though. Any ideas?
    Only big-budget glossies have the money to stage a set and send out a photographer. This is a stock photo. The article author doesn’t know anything about the photo.

    • ANSWER:
      It looks like 2 lenox or 2 high end porcelain deer which you could find at any high end china outlet during Christmas. The sleight is custom made to hold the cake. If you purchased the fancy deer, I am sure the cake maker will be able to find or make the base.
      My baker had tons of different bases and things they would custom make for you…. like you said it’s all $$$$$

30. QUESTION:
    When to serve wedding cake?
    I know we are traditionally, meant to cut the cake after speeches but when would we serve it? I’m having cupcakes and to be honest can only really afford to supply enough for the day guests. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
    By ‘day guests’ I mean people attending just for evening reception (as far as I’m aware this is fairly normal practice!!)

    • ANSWER:
      Immediately after dinner makes the most sense if it is the main dessert. Traditionally though, it was cut toward the end of the reception as a signal that it was ok for guests to head out.

      What exactly do you mean by “day guests”? Does that mean you have a second reception going on later with a whole other group of guests? That type of thing is considered to be very rude.

      Edit: No that is not normal practice. You invite the same group of people to the ceremony and reception. Anything else is considered rude. There may be people who don’t care but it is a breach of etiquette to only invite certain people to the reception and not the ceremony.

31. QUESTION:
    We don’t want a wedding cake.?
    My fiance and I do not enjoy cake. We think it’s too sweet, and the icing just makes it disgustingly worse. And we’re not about to order a 0 cake even though most of our guests would enjoy it.

    What we’re really like are pies or elegantly designed tarts arranged on a cake tier. But we can’t find a caterer or bakery willing do this for us. All the bakeries aren’t sure how to go about making a pie or tart ‘wedding like’.

    Most of the caterers are insisting that we have to order a cake with them as part of the package. They don’t do pie/cakes, and won’t allowed outside ‘vendors’ to supply our dessert. Even the ones who would allow it don’t want to be responsible for the cutting and serving.

    How can we approach this problem? It isn’t as though pie or tarts won’t be as popular as a cake; most of our friends prefer fruity desserts.

    • ANSWER:
      If you can find a caterer that won’t make you get the cake in the “package” then maybe you could do different spread out pies with your monogram covered on top in the crust, I have made many pies for different events and then put some kind of design on the top crust.

      They should be willing to do something for you, if the caterer won’t work with you on this thing, they may not budge on other things as well.

      I hope you can figure it out. Good luck!

32. QUESTION:
    Where can I find quality Wholesale Wedding supplies?
    I am starting a new website and need to find quality vendors for my wedding business. Looking specifically for toasting flutes like 017-07-2790 Bedazzled and Cake serving sets like Classico Black Pearl. Most wholesalers do not show up on an internet search.
    I already know about Cathy’s Concepts, Kate Aspen, Favor Craft, etc. What I am looking for is more unique and made in the USA type products. Crafters are welcome ~ I need someone to paint flutes for me with nice floral designs. Must submit pictures of work. Also looking for feather fascinators in reds, blacks, greens, blue, etc.

    • ANSWER:

33. QUESTION:
    Wedding backdrop and cake table….?
    So i went to allthe craft stores around my are to get a few things for my wedding here in Aug. I found almost everything i need expect for the Tulle for the cake table and the backdrop… I have 5 bridesmaids and 2 groomsmen and 2 ushes, thats going to be sitting at the bridal table with us… So i need to find a Backdrop that is long enough for all of us. I wanted my bridal table to look something like this…

    http://www.centsibleholidaylighting.com/images/wedding_head_table.jpg

    So if anyone could help me out on where i can get all those supplies online even the table skirt, would help me out sooo much.

    I wanted my cake table to look like this

    http://www.christmaslightsandmore.com/images/cake_table_wedding_reception.jpg

    But i couldn’t find any tulle that was longer then 6″ =/. So if anyone has any ideas or anything would you pleasee let me know, Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      Tulle is sold at fabric stores. My mom bought like 25 or 30 yards of it for our wedding at our local fabric store. She split it lengthwise to make two 3 foot pieces to trim or ”skirt” the table with. And as for your back drop, you can get the 6 ft. wide pieces and make them what ever length you need and just overlap them a little. (like you do when you close your curtains) and at the top of the meshy fabric (tulle) twist more tulle loosely in a rope-like fashion with some Christmas lights in the middle. Picture what a valance does for the top of curtains. That way you can hide any ugly loose crooked ends. If you go to wal-mart right now, you might be able to get lights on clearance, from the Christmas season close outs! Good luck, hope I’ve helped. You have very good taste! Those tables are beautiful, if you can create anything remotely like those you have posted it’ll be wonderful!!!!

34. QUESTION:
    Brick & mortar wedding supply boutique?
    When I got married I remember running around to multiple art/craft stores (with small wedding departments) and searching through tons of online sites where I wasn’t quite sure about color, size, etc. This was on top of running around looking for a dress.

    What do you think about a retail shop that specializes in all things wedding? Carrying invitations, favors, bridal party gifts, guest books, decorations, etc. I would even have an area for local photographers to display their portfolios and hold monthly events like dress shows, wedding cake tasting, decor ideas, etc. Basically, I would carry everything except for dresses/tuxes and I would work with local bakeries, venues, bridal shops, photographers, limo companies to show off their merch/service as well.

    Sound like it would be a hit? Any ideas or comments are welcome.

    • ANSWER:
      It could very well be a success if you have a large enough population base around you to support you.

      If you do go this way, make sure you speak with other folks involved in the Wedding business (Florists, Photographers, caterers, Banquet Halls, DJs, bands, Limo companies) and try to set up arraangemnts where you give out their names and they give out yours.

      You also might consider some “free” publicity, by arranging some kind of contest where you give away a wedding dress or package of wedding goods to the upcoming bride who can stand and hold the dress for the longest – involve the local radio stations in notifying people of it upcoming and have them show up when you do it and broadcast live. The key is to get people to your place

35. QUESTION:
    Can anyone recommend a baking supplier in NY City or Brooklyn, NY, preferably wholesale?
    I need supplies for making a wedding cake for an upcoming wedding, 250 guests. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      the cheesecake factory on 14th AVE in college point nY…in queens….theres also another in park slope called park slope bakery…..but i know its on st.jonhs place betwwen 7th and 8th

36. QUESTION:
    Giving cake away?
    if i made wedding cakes and only charge for the supplies, no labor fee, meaning im not makeing any profit, and give it to them as a gift, do i need permit or license?

    • ANSWER:
      By definition, if you are charging for supplies, this is not a gift but a low-cost wedding cake! No matter, it is still from you to friends so you don’t need a license unless you advertise. Then you are, by definition, a business.

37. QUESTION:
    How far in advance can you buy fondant?
    I am making a wedding cake and I need a couple of buckets of fondant. I am gathering the supplies right now (the wedding is in two weeks). When can I go buy the buckets of fondant? I don’t want to waste time and money if the fondant will dry out on me.

    • ANSWER:
      You can buy it now, but don’t open it or it may start to dry out. Once you open, it needs to be kept airtight. If not, there may be a little drying out on top but you can just scrape that and throw it away. Also, needs to be kept in a cool, dry place.

38. QUESTION:
    What percentage of your total wedding cost did you spend on your church and reception decorations and supplie:
    Please include the following purchases/rentals in your percentage: Centerpieces/candles/candelabras/archways/guestbook supplies/rental cake/knife set/wine glasses/flowergirl basket/ringbearer pillow/cake topper/pew bows/pillars/unity candle holder/moneybox.

    • ANSWER:
      You are pretty much including everything! Lets see, my total budget was ,000. The church was 0 and the florist total was about 00, and that was the alter decorations and bouquets/bouts. I used my tossing bouquet and some extra flowers as my cake topper. As far as the church goes, I used the church’s candleabras and pew candle holders. That was about all the decoration in the church.

      The unity candle was about . I used wine glasses for our toast and a knife set we already owned. But as far as the glasses for all of our guests go, that was included with the caterer. The caterer’s final cost included renting the linens, silverware, glasses, and extra tables.

      For my flower girl, she made her own dress. So she used the scraps from her dress to make a purse. If not, use a basket you already have from Easter.

      All those things you mentioned (knife, wine glasses, a pillow, a candle, a moneybox) are all minor minor expenses. But the reception is roughly everything left over. In my case, about ,000. I made my own centerpieces so that is included in reception budget instead of florist budget.

      I better way to figure out your budget is to expect a little over 50% for the reception costs. Close to 60% of that (or a little over 25% of your total budget) will be your caterer.

      Go to www.ezweddingplanner.com. They have a great Budgeting section that you can type in your budget and it will give you approximate percentages/amounts for each part of your budget. You can also take out parts you know you won’t use.

39. QUESTION:
    Permit to give cake as gift?
    do i need a permit or license to give my cakes away as gifts? im making wedding cakes at no charge so i can get my work out for maybe a business in the future. i only charge for the supplies.

    • ANSWER:
      Don’t worry about it at this moment.

      I to am getting back in to cake decorating and I am not charging for cakes, but people pay me, I look at it as money in my pocket… doing it for friends and people that I work for.

      If and when you start a business then you should apply for TIN
      (TAX ID Number).

      As for charging only for supplies, there is nothing wrong with that, Look at it this way.. The people that you are making the cakes for are buying the supplies and giving them to you. Or they are giving you the money to buy the supplies that you need to make their cake, so you are not charging them for supplies and wouldn’t need a business lic. as a previous answer said..

      I wish you luck in your decorating….

40. QUESTION:
    How much should be spent on a wedding?
    Here’s some info that may help!

    Can do a Local venue for around ,000 and will also have to supply my own caterer, wedding cake, DJ, floral arrangements, etc.
    not as beautiful and spacious
    closer to home so guests will only have to travel about 5-10 miles
    can do on a Saturday
    probably won’t have to make a loan with the bank
    OR
    southern oaks plantation for around ,000
    only have to buy cake and get florist to design bouquets and boutonnieres
    100% more beautiful
    this is what I really want
    out of town, guests would have to travel about 50 miles
    probably will do on a Friday night instead because Saturday is even more expensive and harder to book
    catering, attendants, DJ, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are provided
    includes horse and carriage and fireworks!
    probably will have to take a loan out with the bank for some (some!) of the cost
    P.S. we already live together and have bought a home….
    nobody is seeing my point of view…where I live there aren’t too many places to have a ceremony and the places there are…it’s not that great…it would be just an ordinary wedding nothing to talk about….I want something to talk about…and if anyone watches the video (www.southernoaksplantation.com) you will know what I mean.
    Also, most people spend around ,000 for their wedding and then spend ,000 or maybe less on a honeymoon….well we aren’t going on a honeymoon. I told my man that if I have my wedding at this place, I don’t need one!

    • ANSWER:
      Oh, honey, no — whatever you do, don’t go into debt for a wedding. Even if you want to have the “average” wedding (the average dropped this year to ,000, down five or six thousand), you shouldn’t take out a loan; trim it down to what is affordable.

      Think about it: You’re going to start a new life with someone. And in the first year of that new life, you might decide you want to travel, or buy a house, or have a baby, or raise show-dogs, or build a maze for your ant farm…whatever it is that you’re into. And you won’t be able to afford it, because you still owe money for one day in the past. No party is worth that.

41. QUESTION:
    Involving friends/family PROFESSIONALLY in wedding?
    We’re planning our wedding right now. My grandmother is a very good baker and has made wedding cakes in the past. My aunt is a professional photographer. My fiancee’s friend is a budding designer – I’m not a good judge of clothes, but my fiancee is and she says her work is really good. So we were thinking about asking my grandmother to make the cake, my aunt to take the pictures, and my fiancee’s friend to make the dress. We are reasonably sure they will agree to it (and if not, we’ll just find someone else), but before we talk to them about it I would like to know what would be fair in terms of payment. Obviously we would pay for any supplies needed (the ingredients for the cake, the material for the dress, etc) – but what would be fair beyond that?

    • ANSWER:

42. QUESTION:
    What would be an appropriate monetary gift for the girl who is handling my reception?
    When I started planning my wedding I found out that my cousin has a wife who bakes wedding cakes. I don’t know either of them very well, but I called and talked to her. We met and talked about what I wanted and she has agreed to help with my simple cake, punch, nuts and mints reception. (No catered dinner) She will actually be taking care of almost everything, making the cake and the punch and homemade mints. I asked her what she thought it would cost and she has told me to just plan on paying her back for the supplies. She says that she does receptions for friends and relatives just because she likes to. When we finished making our plans, her husband (my cousin) asked who was going to be doing my flowers. I told him that I hadn’t decided that yet and they told me that she also does silk flower arrangements.
    So I bought the supplies and she has put together the bridal and maid of honor bouquets, coursages for the females involved in the wedding and mothers and boutoniers for the men. (We aren’t using any large arrangements.) Again, she told me that as long as I bought the supplies, she was not charging for the flower arranging.
    She has taken a lot of stress off of me by taking care of the reception and flowers and saved me a lot of money. However, I don’t feel right about just paying for the supplies. I would like to give her an additional monetary gift because I know she is taking a lot of time and effort on my behalf (someone she barely knows, but is related to) I think she is even taking the day of my wedding off from work to bake the cake.
    I don’t know her well enough to get a gift card or gift certificate that would be appropriate. Any suggestions on what might be an appropriate amount?

    • ANSWER:
      at least 0

43. QUESTION:
    How should I plan my wedding reception agenda?
    I am planning my wedding which is on September 23rd, (coming very soon) and I have no idea how I should go about the wedding reception agenda. I think I have the wedding agenda planned ok so far but I will accept any ideas on both! The wedding and reception will be at the same location and room. I just need to know what should happen and how long everything should last. For example, how long should the dinner last before the cutting of the cake and so forth. It isn’t a very big wedding about 50-70 guests. We are on a budget so that is why I didn’t hire a professional MC. I believe the place that we are having it at will supply one but I really want to know for myself how everything should flow. The times for everything, wedding & reception is 5pm-10pm.

    • ANSWER:
      I have never seen a place supply an MC. However, a recpetion without music just isn’t a recpetion IMHO. I’d at least bring a good stereo system so you can dance.

44. QUESTION:
    Im looking for some baking shops by names or sites in california?
    Anywhere in the El Centro/El Cajon or San diego area… these stores were beside each other. It was like a strip of stores…basically you would find shops that had supplies for cake making or wedding keepsakes.
    Not sure which of the 3 locations would be the one that had those shops…if anyone know then it will help me find it. Appreciate it dearly.

    • ANSWER:
      Use Google Earth!

45. QUESTION:
    the dress on amazing wedding cakes?
    On a recent episode of amazing wedding cakes, Christopher Garren makes a wedding cake that replicates a brides dress. The dress is very fancy and fitted. Does anyone known who makes this dress? In the episode the bride supplied the picture of the dress but they never said who made the dress. Thanks for your help!

    I previously posted this question and someone answered that it was chris garren but my question was who make the DRESS that he replicated?? thanks again everyone

    • ANSWER:

      http://www.piccionebridal.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=collection.displayProductDetails&productID=d3bd4db2-fffb-4371-9306-8ab156ddea21

46. QUESTION:
    How do I go about throwing a wedding shower?
    We’re trying to have a 0 budget, & the park reservation is , & it costs about per person to go swimming in the wave pool. per person to get in. I will be supplying the cake & food & music, but my friend will supply the boom box.

    • ANSWER:
      I have never been to a swimming pool at a park shower, but it sounds great. I would keep it simple, sandwiches, chips, drinks. I would let everyone know they needed to pay their own way in and if they want to do the wave pool it will be . I would get some invitations, or print some on some paper with a theme. I would make the reservation if that is where I wanted to have it.

47. QUESTION:
    Q for makers of cakes (particularly wedding cakes)?
    So I have a part time business as a cake maker and specialise in hand made sugar paste flowers, my link so you know what I mean is:

    www.flickr.com/photos/emscakes

    I have a wedding next month which is what the flowers ont he first page are for. There is also a matching bouquet to go on the 3rd tier of the cake. My question is obviously they took many hours to make form sugarpaste and are very delicate. When the cake is in the venue and is taken away to be cut up do I just have to leave them to it hope they dont break the flowers or do I supply written instructions how to remove them carefully. They will be placed in posey picks in the cake so can be simply lifted out?

    Whats your opinion as obviously the bride wants to kep these forever as a memory of her day?

    • ANSWER:
      Leave a note or talk directly with the person who supervises the cutting of the cake at the time you deliver it. Just tell them that the bride has requested the cake flowers, so please pull them out before cutting. Leave a pan or container for the flowers, but don’t be upset if some are broken.

48. QUESTION:
    I am looking for a catchy business name for an event decorating business?
    My services would include: floral and event design, chair cover and linen rental, placecard/menu/invitations, favors, and party supply rentals. I would like to one day expand and incorporate a bakery(wedding cake specialization) so I would need a name that would make sense if I do incorporate the baking aspect. Thanks ahead for any ideas.

    • ANSWER:
      Perfect Party Planners-not sure if that one is taken in your area.

49. QUESTION:
    Wedding on an extreme budget?
    I’m planning a somewhat informal wedding on minimum wage, with nearly no current savings. I’ve decided it would be nice to have an outdoor wedding in the local park. I was wondering if it would be very tacky of me to ask the guests to bring a covered dish and have a potluck reception. It would save me on food costs and everyone would have at least one thing they’d like to eat. I’d supply plates, utensils, drinks, and, of course, cake.
    I should add that, since neither of us has much family, it’ll be a fairly small amount of guests.

    • ANSWER:
      I don’t think it’s tacky. You do what you have to. And the truth is people that really know your situation will understand. And people with common sense would understand why you are doing it that way. No worries.

50. QUESTION:
    I’m catering a wedding in July for 300?
    I live in a small city (80,000) and have been asked to do a catering job for a wedding. It’ll be 300 people. I am to supple meat & cheese trays, chicken wings, meatballs, veggie tray, fruit tray relish tray, rolls, dips and roll ups. Plus ice tea and coffee. I will be supplying plastic dinnerware, flatware and glasses. Also dessert there will be no wedding cake. Carrot cake, cup cakes, cheesecake, truffles and a few other desserts. Also napkins. Please help me. I think a person is cheap. I need guidance.
    Thanks,
    Mary

    • ANSWER:
      Unless you’re planning to do everything yourself as sort of “a favor”, ,500 isn’t very much to work with. I think you’re selling yourself short.

      If prices of products and food suggest this low amount, you don’t have much of a choice.

      If you have a signed contract for goods and services at that price, you’re profit may be very slim or you might have a loss.

      Have you called suppliers/purveyors to price the supplies you’ll need? You really should.

      After the food is prepped, where are you going to store everything?

      What about help preparing the food, transporting it, setting up the tables, re-stocking as the food is used AND the clean-up?

      How are you going to get the food and supplies from where you store and prepare it to where the wedding is going to be?

      Heaven only knows where oil will be in May & June. Due to the fact much of our food is transported by truck and rail, the cost of oil/gasoline is always a factor in pricing food.

      If you’re looking “to get a foot in the door” to promote your catering business, how about something dramatic – such as a few ice carvings? When done correctly and properly highlighted, they always go a long way to make an affair worth remembering – not to mention your catering company.

      Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it!

      VTY,
      Ron Berue
      Yes, that is my real last name!