Special considerations

Cakes are made from fresh ingredients, therefore they can spoil if left out for several hours. A mousse or cheesecake, or a cake containingfresh cream will not last more than four hours if left out of a refrigerator. Your reception is likely to last longer than that. So avoid fillings and decorations that will not keep if you are having an outdoor summer wedding or a reception in a summer marquee.

Receptions in marquees or aboard boats and barges also bring some special considerations. If you are in a moving venue stacked cakes are advisable rather than tierd. The layers of a stacked cake are placed directly upon one another and supported by cake boards. This makes them more stable than the traditional wedding cake with tiers separated pillars. Likewise, marquee floors tend to be uneven, so it is worth having a spirit level and some cardboard handy to prop-up the table legs and ensure a stable level base. If the table is level from the start you have a hope of getting the cake level by the time you get to the top!

If you have not ordered your cake from your venue they may try and charge you? cakeage? (really!). This is usually a per plate charge to cover the cost of cutting, plating and washing-up. Try to remember to ask if there is a charge for supplying your own cake before you sign the contratc when you are in a stronger position to negotiate. If you have strong feelings about how appropriate a charge is, attempt to expunge the clause from your contract early on.