Frequently asked questions...
Where are you located? I am located in Harlingen, Texas in the beautiful Rio Grande Valley just a short distance from South Padre Island and Mexico. I do not currently have a "store front" in Harlingen. However, I have access to a licensed and inspected commerical kitchen and have been approved by the City of Harlingen Department of Health.
What are your prices? Wedding cakes start at $2.50 per serving for buttercream and $3.00 per serving for fondant covered cakes. Other base prices are listed here to give you a general idea. Prices will vary depending on styles and designs. Please contact me for specific pricing information.
Do you deliver/charge for delivery? Most tiered cakes require that they be delivered in order to set them up on site. There is no charge for delivery in Harlingen city limits. Please contact me for specific charges for delivery to other areas.
Do you deliver to South Padre Island? Yes, I just love island weddings! As stated above most tiered cakes require that they be delivered and set-up on site. There is a $40 charge for delivery to SPI/Port Isabel. Smaller cakes may be picked up from me in Harlingen depending on the size and design. If you live outside the valley I can arrange to meet you as you pass through town on your way out to the Island.
Do you deliver to Mexico? Yes, I am usually able to deliver across the border. There is a minimum $50 charge plus additional charges for actual mileage. All details for delivery to Mexico will be worked out on an individual basis.
What is your payment policy? For all wedding cakes and large event cakes (tiered cakes serving 50 or more) I require a 1/3, non-refundable deposit in order to secure the date on my calendar. You may make payments along the way until the balance is paid in full if you like. The remaining balance must be paid in full two weeks prior to the wedding or event. Wedding cakes (and large event cakes) will not be baked until full payment is received. If you are out of town you may mail a personal check or you may also pay online with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, bank debit cards and Paypal. Locally you may also pay in person with cash or check.
How do I pay online? Once your order has been finalized and you have been given a definite price then you may go to my "online payment" page and click the "pay now" button. This will take you to the secure paypal website where you may enter your credit card information or pay through a Paypal account. (You do not have to have a paypal account to use a credit card.) Please note that I will never see or have any access to your credit card/payment information.
How soon should I reserve the date? I suggest booking your date several months in advance. Even if you can't decide on a final cake design, you can still reserve the date, and then we can finalize the details as we get closer to the wedding. The important thing is to place a deposit to reserve your wedding date.
Is it possible to get a cake on short notice? All cakes, cookies and other items are baked fresh to order; therefore, I do not keep anything ready on hand (or in the freezer). I prefer a minimum of at least two weeks notice on wedding cakes. However, if you find yourself at the last minute needing a cake... it never hurts to contact me and ask! I will be happy to help you out if I can!
Do you offer wedding cake tastings? Yes! I offer a free cake tasting with your initial wedding cake consultation. You may choose two cake flavors to sample at that time along with your choice of frosting and/or filling (2 flavors total). Cake tastings are by appointment only. I like to sit down with each customer on a one-on-one basis and will need to make sure my schedule permits me to give you the time necessary. I will also need time to prepare for your visit and have the samples ready for you. Please honor my time by calling if you're running late or can't make the scheduled appointment.
When can I schedule a consultation? The best times for me are Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. However, I realize that because of work schedules many need to meet in the late afternoon or possibly during the evening. I will try my best to accommodate those times when possible. Please keep in mind that most appointments take around an hour so you'll want to allow the appropriate amount of time. If you are not from the valley and are planning a wedding at South Padre Island be assured that most if not all plans can be made through e-mail and/or telephone. If you do plan to be in the valley before your wedding please let me know because I would love to offer you the free cake tasting and meet with you in person.
What should I bring to the consultation? Please bring anything you might want to incorporate into your cake’s design - photos of your wedding dress, wedding flowers, etc. It is also a good idea to bring color swatches with you…we want the colors on your cake to match the other décor as best as possible. If you have found pictures of other cake designs you like, bring those along as well.
How do we pick out the design of the cake? I have several books and photo albums to browse through to help with ideas for the design that's perfect for you. If you have seen a cake elsewhere that you like, please bring in a photograph and we’ll go from there!
How big is a “wedding cake serving”? Most wedding cake tiers are 4” tall. A typical wedding cake serving size is 4” tall by 1” wide by 2” long. As you are comparing cakes and prices be sure to clarify the serving size.
Do you care if someone else (another decorator, relative, friend or store) makes another cake for the same reception where our cake will be displayed? I am proud of the quality of my cakes and stake my name and reputation on every one. I do not want anyone thinking that my work is that of someone else and neither do I want to take credit for someone else’s work. I know that many bridal magazines and online sites recommend saving money by ordering a small cake for display and sheet cakes from a grocery store to make up the difference. I would ask that you would honor my request that all cake served at the reception be provided by me. Should you need to economize, sheet cakes or kitchen cakes may be purchased through me. (Kitchen cakes are two-layer sheet cakes of the same flavor cake, icing and filling as your wedding cake. They are frosted smooth with a simple border and are not meant to be displayed but to be served “from the kitchen. This will ensure that the quality, taste and design are consistent.
Does the wedding cake have to be all the same flavor? You may choose as many flavors as you have tiers. There is no extra charge for this. However, there may be an extra charge if requesting multiple premium flavors. You should also keep in mind that if you have several different flavors of cake your guests may like to try more than one flavor and you will need to make sure that you allow for extra servings.
How many wedding cake orders to you take per weekend/weekday? Because I am not a large commercial bakery with several employees, I do not take more than one wedding cake order per weekend day or weekday so that I may give your cake all of the time and attention that it deserves. Because of this limitation on wedding cakes it is important to secure your date with me as soon as possible.
How much cake should we order? There are several factors to consider when deciding on how much cake you will need. Of course, start with the general idea of how many people should be in attendance taking into account those who may not RSVP or those who many bring an extra guest or children. As stated above, if you're ordering a cake with more than one flavor, you might want to order a larger cake to accommodate guests that take more than one piece. In addition, if you know that your guests are big cake eaters, or if the cake is the only dessert, you may want to order more. If you are planning a dessert buffet with lots of other sweets then you may want to order a smaller wedding cake.
What is your policy on the use of fresh flowers on my wedding cake? Personally, I think that fresh flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding cake. If you want to use fresh flowers on your cake you should order and pay for these yourself from your florist. This is to ensure that the flowers on the cake are the same as the rest of the flowers used in your reception decor. When we plan your cake we will discuss how many extra flowers you will need for your cake. I will be happy to place these flowers on the cake after the cake is set-up. Also, you should know that many fresh flowers are not safe to place directly on an edible cake as they may be covered in pesticides or simply the flowers themselves may not be safe. Please discuss this with your florist when you order.
I am having an outdoor reception. How will this affect my cake choices? Living down here in the Rio Grande Valley we have the opportunity for beautiful outdoor receptions pretty much year round. Of course, heat and humidty is always a factor that must be considered when planning your cake. When a cake is set-up and left in high heat and/or direct sunlight buttercreams will melt and cream cheese frostings and fruit fillings can become unsafe to consume. High humidity will also turn flowers limp, chocolate will melt and condensation on the cake may cause colors to run. Wind can also be a factor when it comes to using fresh flowers or many kinds of toppers on cakes. Soft or uneven ground can cause a straight cake to lean or even fall when table legs sink into the ground or the table is on an uneven surface. Depending on the weather, you may have to use fondant as a covering for your cake since buttercreams can melt and slide off the cake if it's too hot. You may also have to avoid fillings that are perishable. Cakes should not be placed in direct sunlight. Of course if the weather cooperates, an outdoor wedding is simply beautiful and cannot be beaten! Just be prepared.
Who cuts the cake? Usually the staff of your reception venue or the catering staff are available to cut the cake. Make sure you check with them to see if there is an additional cake cutting fee or if you have the option of having a friend or family cut the cake. If you're providing your own people to cut the cake, I recommend using 2 people which can help to cut down on the stress and difficulty of doing it in a timely manner. If they are unsure as to the best procedure for cutting the cake, see if they are available to be there when we deliver the cake and we'll be happy to instruct them in the proper method. Depending on my schedule, I may also be available to stay and cut your cake. If you would like for me to cut the cake this needs to be scheduled in advance and it will incur an additional fee.
Do you decorate the cake table, or are we responsible for this? You will be responsible for having this done. There are many inexpensive and elegant ways to decorate the cake table. As you are looking at cake photos, keep an eye on the table decor, it can inspire some great ideas. White lights with some tulle is a wonderful way to present the cake. In my opinion, candles, rose petals, flowers and ivy, your toasting glasses and your serving set are really the only things that should be on your cake table besides the cake until the actual cutting begins.
Why are wedding cakes so much more expensive than cakes that you buy at the bakery? Wedding cakes are labor-intensive. They are built with a system of supports and separators that prevent them from collapsing, and it takes time to put it all together. The cost of the ingredients, while more for some types of cake than other, is usually not the deciding factor in the cost of a wedding cake. Rather, the type of decoration and the time involved in the planning, preparation, delivering and setting up of your wedding cake are all factors in the price. For more on this subject please read this article put together by some cake decorators that I know!
Do you do diabetic/allergen free cakes, cookies, etc.? No, I'm sorry at this time I am not able to accomodate those needs. I am currently testing out some low sugar cakes and diabetic recipes. They will be posted on the "flavors" page when available.