Creating the perfect wedding cake is quite the undertaking. Everything from the gum-paste flowers to the filling needs to be taken into careful consideration. This may necessitate obtaining color swatches of the bridesmaid gowns and collecting a few of the florals which will be used in the wedding bouquets. Anything and everything that the Memphis bakery could possibly use in order to construct a cake that ties in perfectly with the rest of the wedding theme and décor.

Season
First you need to figure out what season you're planning on having the wedding in. Spring, summer, fall, or winter? You should also note if the wedding falls in the beginning, middle, or end. For example, an early spring wedding is typically colder and is closer to the holidays, which could effect your theme and location. If you still haven't set a date and or are having trouble determining what type of cake would be ideal for you, take a look at our following descriptions.

  • Spring: The most popular time of year to tie the knot. While pastels are always a popular choice for spring nuptials, you could easily pull off some brighter hues. Mix and match a mellow color with something livelier; such as a lime green with a pale pink. Fruit fillings are a must - the choices are infinite. Consider strawberries and cream, oranges, or a coconut mousse. For flowers you could utilize azaleas, thymes, and daffodils.
  • Summer: This is for the bride who wants something bright, festive, and fruitfully delicious. Some popular summer florals are: calla lilies, sunflowers, orchids, and dahlias. Select a cake that's sprinkled with colorful gum paste daisies and garden-inspired latticework. Many brides like to take advantage of these vacation months, so make sure that you contact the bakery well in advance.
  • Fall: The perfect cake for the earthy and bold bride. Highlight your bridal confection with golds, browns, dark greens, and maroon embellishments. Go with a filling that is fresh and seasonal, such as pumpkin spice or cinnamon. You could even pair one of these autumn flavors with chocolate ganache. Top it off with gerbera, gladiolus, and delphinium.
  • Winter: Although everyone immediately thinks of red and green poinsettias in terms of a winter celebration, it really depends on location. Alternatively, you could go with the white and blue winter theme, or else something that is only subtly inspired by the Christmas holidays. Instead of poinsettias, utilize holly, nerine, roses, and orchids.


After figuring out the location and season, next comes sampling different cake filling and frostings with your prospective bakeries. Bring along parents, a few friends, and of course, the husband-to-be. Try everything once. Take notes on all of the things you liked and disliked. After determining which combinations you favor, you'll be all ready to start drawing up the aesthetic details of the cake. If possible, have the bakery sketch out the details on paper so that you can attain a better idea as to what they have in mind.


Memphis Bakeries
Eden Cakes (901-690-0242; www.edencakes.com)
Specializing in custom-designed wedding cakes, this is the ideal bakery for the bride looking for something 100% tailor-made. They have a great selection of filling and frosting combinations, and can recommend such flavorful delights: vanilla bean with Madagascar vanilla buttercream, white almond cake with rosewater buttercream, and moist carrot cake with orange cream cheese buttercream. If any of these make your mouth water, pick up the phone and call them as soon as possible!

Harriet's Creations (901-854-1104; www.harrietscreations.com)
At Harriet's Creations, their goal is to make cakes that have distinction. The company has been incorporated since 1999, and since then has turned out more than a few dozen of some of the finest cakes Memphis has ever seen! Each cake is one-of-a-kind, and highly exquisite in their own way. They have everything from themed wedding cakes, casual, beach, and the most elegant concoctions you've ever laid your eyes upon. Visit their website and see for yourself. For more information, email beacake@aol.com.