Cake Disappointment

rungirl12 · June 2012

So, I was planning on making my own cake since I love baking. My sister was going to help. We did our 2nd trial run this weekend and I am so bummed. Once again, it took much longer than anticipated and as a result I was crabby at the end of the process. I flipped out and said I couldn't do this - I couldn't put this much time into something that has to be done within days of the wedding. We also only made about half the amount we would need and it took that long!

But, then the next day when I took the cake to my skydiving club for people to eat, everyone raved about how awesome it tasted. It was banana (similar dense texture to bread) with cream cheese frosting and I did three layers, each in a shade of green which are my 3 wedding colors. Hearing them rave made me want to re-think my decision, but I just really think the smarter decision is to have a professional do it so I don't have to allot time for that. The colors inside were just SO awesome looking and surprising since it's white boring frosting on the outside until you cut in and see the colors. It would be different if I didn't have a job, but I do, and I don't want to take too much time off before the wedding since I am taking 2 weeks off after.

So, I started emailing around for cake info and at least it will only cost me a couple hundred dollars, but I am still torn about this. I just keep telling myself I can make these "fun" layered cakes for other occasions to have people rave, and that this one time I should just cave and take this time-sucker off my plate. This was one of my "non-traditional" things, and I feel like it's just turning more into a "cookie-cutter wedding." I am feeling down about it also because I told so many people I was making it myself and I feel like a quitter.

adaisyandarose · June 2012

Could you maybe do a smaller cake and serve cupcakes with it to cut down the time if it is important for you to do this?

Eyejewel · June 2012

I probably think the cake is too much too close to the wedding. its a really stressful time. Could you make a smaller cake - like maybe a grooms cake with the swirl color so it wouldnt take you so long?

I had a simliar problem. I was going to hand paint my invites one of my pipe dreams and i was thrilled with the idea of saying i made them. After sitting down to makeone and realizing how many i had to make i ended up handing it over to a professional. Im really good at something but my problem is i work crazy hours at my job so ive had to pull back and say maybe it would be better and less stressful for someelse to do.

random4180 · June 2012

I'm making my own cake too but it's a simple red velvet layer cake with vanilla buttercream- no piping or complicated decorating- and only a 10" at that. I think if I was planning to feed all the guests I would have passed it on to someone else too. (We're doing cupcakesfor the guests.) My problem was that I needed a vegan cake and even a simple one like I wanted was going to go for $90 (!) AND they wouldn't deliver it because my reception is an hour away and outside their delivery zone. You sound stressed about making your own cake so I would reconsider doing the whole thing yourself. I'd either do an option similar to what I'm doing (smaller cake to cut into and have someone else do cupcakes or the the like for guests) or just haand off the whole thing- we couldn't really justify the cost ourselves but I think peace of mind is worth an awful lot and not to be taken lightly!

libby2483 · June 2012

It sounds like the idea of making the cake yourself is really stressing you out. My advice would be to hire a professional to do it. But, perhaps you could still make a groom's cake or a cake for the rehearsal dinner? Then you could still have your own unique creation be part of your day.

saraschilling88 · June 2012

First I'm impressed that you can even make a pretty cake! I don't have that talent!
Second, I agree with PPs that if making the cake will stress you out, let a pro do it and make cakes for other special occasions!!

i2012do · June 2012

First, I want to say that i am jealous you are such a good baker- as I am not.
But I want to tel you this from experience.

My best friend made her own wedding cake. I don't know your schedule but hers went like this:
Rehearsal dinne rhte night before, the cake was all cooked
the dinner ended at 10 pm, and she headed home to do the fondant for the cake. It took them until 1 am, she made it with her mom, fiance and herself.

The next morning, since there is no one else to transport it,the bride drove the cake to her reception location . However, she just thought it would take a hour to two to drop it off then drive home.(the reception place was a half hr away). It ended up taking 3.5 hrs because she had to put it together, place it on teh table, then needed to chat with the people there about placement etc.

She missed her nail appointment and was rushed through her hair appoiintment. We were all going insane running around trying to paint her nails while she got her hair done, etc.
It was a total diaster.
It was so stressful , that by the time all was said and done it wasnt worth it

Aso because she didoint have a refridgeratored truck or anything to bring it in, the ended up brining it from the fridge to the hot then putting it out, the fondant was melting and it made the cake dry out.
No one ate the cake.

They too did a test run and brought it into work- and had people try it and everyone raved and loved it- but when there is so much stress and pressrure on the day of, things just didint come out hte same.
You don't have ato feel like a quitter just beacuse you told people

what about making a grooms cake for teh rehearsal dinner instead?
and then cupcakes or a smaller cake for your wedding-something that is easier.
Don't worry about it being cookie cutter! from what you have said in your posts you have a lot of really fun elements to your wedding and you guys are unqiue individuals

if someon asked if you made it yourself just say "i ended up delegating it to someone else- I wanted to alleviate some stress" people get it!

Cake Disappointment

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