Did anyone not do a typical wedding cake or a wedding cake at all? Need suggestions and cake alterna

peaches85

FI and I REALLY don't like the cake that's provided by our venue, but FI is still set on the tradition aspect of having one.  If we decide to forgo the cake from our venue and purchase one elsewhere, the venue won't reduce our price but will, instead, add something else to our menu somewhere.  That's all well and good, but that means it's an added expense because we'd have to pay a couple hundred for a cake from another bakeshop. 

So, in order to stay with our venue, what are some alternative cakes that we could try asking them to make?  I'd love it if they could somehow do an ice cream cake, but that obviously would never work.  The only other alternative I can think of is a cheesecake.  Any others?

adam_dana

I went to a wedding a few years ago in NY where they did bananas foster instead of cake.  It was definitely different!

What about tiramisu?  Or what about a strawberry shortcake kind of thing?

Shand18

Could you just have one tier of their typical wedding cake for the tradition aspect, but then have ice cream sundaes for everyone as a dessert?  It's not quite an ice cream cake, but it mightbe as close as you can come. 

cvl105

cupcakes?!

adam_dana

yes cupcakes!  What about doing a Margarita cupcake?  I make a Ceyenne Pepper cupcake that is delicious, and I'm certainly no professinal.  Maybe they can make you a fun summer flavor

peaches85

Cupcakes would be great!  But that means they'd most likely still be using the same cake mix.  It isn't the icing or filling or individual flavors that FI and I don't like about our venue's cakes, it's the cake itself... it's really really dry and tastes like you're eating paper.  After all the great food that our venue has, I'd hate for guests' last memories of the food to be of the cake since that's the last course that's served.

Oh, I forgot to mention, we are going to have a Viennese table that has an extensive list of awesome desserts.  I'm all for just doing away with the cake altogether since guests will have other desserts to choose from, but like I said, FI is really into the whole tradition of cutting the cake.

AnnPH424

What about pies? I saw a wedding in a magazine with a bunch of pies. It was cute, they had a bunch of different types of pies and they were on cake stands that varied in height. My description isn't really doing it justice.

ev4149

I've seen chocolate chip cookie cakes.  My best friend hates cake, so she is doing smores....

uppereastgirl

At my cousin's wedding a few weeks ago, there was no wedding cake.   We got to choose between molten chocolate cake or cheesecake.  I was very happy with that.

My sister's groom cake was ice cream cake, and our baker (provided through the venue) was able to do that too.  I wouldn't count that out as a possibility...  You just couldn't display it beforehand.

peaches85

uppereast - Did your cousin do any type of cake cutting and was either cake displayed ahead of time? 

kasabby

What about some kind of brownie cake? I don't even know if that is possible but at least it is an alternative.

uppereastgirl

In Response to <a href="http://northjersey.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_did-anyone-not-typical-wedding-cake-wedding-cake?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:bc32d415-da5b-492a-b31b-f0d5a38b0a64Post:85ce545c-784c-4882-b369-33f98e042d4f">Re: Did anyone not do a typical wedding cake or a wedding cake at all? Need suggestions and cake alternatives.</a>:
[QUOTE]uppereast - Did your cousin do any type of cake cutting and was either cake displayed ahead of time? 
Posted by peaches85[/QUOTE]

<div>Nope!  No display, no cutting.  But I didn't feel cheated or anything -- it isn't all that much fun to watch the couple cut the cake, and it always takes several minutes of gathering everyone and getting organized and such.</div>

cvl105

Have you had their cake on more than one occasion? Maybe it was a fluke when you tasted it?  Maybe tell them your concerns and see if they have any solutions?

peaches85

Chelsea - I had it recently and I've read a bunch of reviews online that have said the same thing regarding different flavors.  I wonder if anyone has told the venue straight up that their cakes suck?

cvl105

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_did-anyone-not-typical-wedding-cake-wedding-cake?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:bc32d415-da5b-492a-b31b-f0d5a38b0a64Post:802c0110-a7ba-4c11-aee9-5d88b3ce649a">Re: Did anyone not do a typical wedding cake or a wedding cake at all? Need suggestions and cake alternatives.</a>:
[QUOTE]  I wonder if anyone has told the venue straight up that their cakes suck?
Posted by peaches85[/QUOTE]

That's what I'm saying...maybe telling them could change it.  They may not have heard any complaints. And if no one's complaining, why change what isn't broken.

peaches85

Alright, that's going to be my first plan of action then.  I'll see if they can fire their current baker... or at least change their recipe.  :-)   You really could be right that people just haven't complained to them about it.  I'll give it a shot.

Reilly626

How about Black and White Cookies with initials on them?  THat's what we are dolng for our Rehearsal Dinner!

jrgoogrl

I agree with Chelsea. I bet none of the bride's have complained or said anything straight out after. So they may not know. I'll be interested to hear what their response is after you talk to them. Let me know how it goes!

peaches85

Will do.  Jrgoo - Have you tried their cake yet?  Any thoughts about it?

jaimelody

I went to a wedding that did bananas fosters instead as well. It was delicious... but I like the cake-cutting part. We were originally going to do cupcakes, but I didn't want to spend the extra $ since the cake was thrown in anyway. If you're getting married in NJ there's going to be SO MUCH more for your guests to have besides the cake, I say don't stress about it.

jrgoogrl

I haven't had their cake. I knew going into it that I wanted an outside cake. FI and I are very picky when it comes to cakes. But I would still want to know what they have to say about. I'm actually very shocked that their cake sucks, but the rest of the food is FAB! Doesn't make sense

njpabzy

since you are doing other desserts why not just have them make a small cake for you to cut and not serve it to each guest but rather incorporate slices in with the rest of the dessert table - most guests will go for the other desserts anyone. Or I like the cookie cake idea - you could just bring one of them in for the cake cutting - I'm sure it can be specially decorated.

Belle2Be

If you're already having a dessert bar, and its just for cutting, what about making a small one yourself? Fondant is pretty easy to work with and there are lots of You Tube videos on how to decorate one?