Cake: How far in advance?

daniandron

I have a destination wedding but am wondering how soon I should bother my bakery about cakes? There is only one suggested by the venue. I know that when I was trying to nail down other logistics people were hard to respond because "she's not here, and her wedding is next year" but when do I do this?

ElisabethJoanne

theknot's checklist says 6-8 months before the wedding. I've heard that's too early, but if you have only one choice, you might want to make sure they reserve your date. Cake decorators like to know something about your reception meal, invitations, dress, and colors, to give them inspiration.

031107

Brides are engaged for longer and longer time periods.  As a result vendors are booking farther and farther in advance.  Which is why the knot recommends 6/8 months out.
 
Here is a thought, since you only have 1 recommendation, what will you do if they are booked solid your weekend?  If you don't know, then I suggest you call them right now and see what they offer.  Maybe will decide to go else where, you don't want that to the case at last minute and scrambling to find someone else.
 
You can iron out design details later when other items are picked out.

chickenbut143

I had this issue too.  My cake person reserved out date six months out, but really wont talk to us much about flavors/tiers until a month prior.
GL!