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Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you shouldn’t settle on a mediocre wedding cake just because you can’t decide what you want! It’s always a good idea to take a look at what’s trending to help inspire you so you can choose the best cake for your wedding day.

Since it’s been almost four years since our last article on wedding cake trends in 2019, we wanted to come back and take a look at what’s going on in the world of wedding cakes in the upcoming year.

Big Cakes

A lot of couples seem to really be sticking to the idea of “go big or go home” in their wedding, especially regarding their cake! Some of these massive multi-layered cakes can reach up to five feet tall and can have a different flavor in each layer.

This is great for weddings with lots of guests because you can be sure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It is worth noting that with a cake so enormous, there will be a lot of preparation involved in making sure it’s stable and getting it where it’s supposed to be. Often, it requires a whole team just to get the cake to the venue safely.

Semi-Naked Cakes

One trend that can suit just about anyone’s wedding style is the semi-naked cake. Having only a thin layer of frosting on the outside, these cakes can be decorated according to the theme of any wedding and still look fantastic.

Many couples choose this kind of cake for the visual appeal, while others choose it because they aren’t a fan of frosting but still prefer a bit of it over a fully naked cake. Whatever the case, these cakes are a great choice for any wedding, no matter the taste of the couple or their guests.

Boho Cakes

A boho-themed cake adheres to a more natural, free-spirited look that can pair wonderfully with a vintage-themed wedding. They usually incorporate gold flakes, neutral, and earth-toned colors, differing textures, and lots of floral elements. There is still so much variation available, though, that a boho cake is a great decision for couples who aim for a more earthy but still classy vibe for their wedding. The sky really is the limit with these cakes, because you can tie in a boho theme for a cake of any size or shape.

Birchwood Cakes

With a vanilla frosted exterior and designs that make it look like a piece of wood cut straight from a birch tree, birchwood cakes are a fun choice for couples with a rustic theme to their wedding, especially if their venue is a barn or a cottage.

Many couples also choose to have their initials “carved” into the tree-like cake for a classically adorable touch. Not only do these cakes perfectly suit a laid-back, nature-loving couple, but they can also be dressed up to bring a bit of natural flair to a more formal wedding.

Colors for a Wedding Cake

So many couples these days are opting out of the traditional white wedding cake and going for something brighter and more out of the box. Some of these colors are still light-colored and fit the expectation for a wedding cake: pastels, blush pink, champagne, or “dusty” versions of other colors. However, some couples choose something very different and go with darker colors like navy, teal, or burgundy for their cake. These colors can be the base for the whole cake or just sprinkled in as a detail, but they’re guaranteed to make your cake stand out.

Cake Toppers

In addition to untraditional wedding cake colors, a lot of couples are also leaning towards wedding cake toppers that are out of the norm. Instead of the classic bride and groom cake toppers, we’re seeing the couple represented as animals or video game characters. Or, rather than having themselves on the cake at all, some couples choose funny quotes and sayings to put on top of their wedding cake. We’ve entered an era of more casual, comfortable weddings, and cake toppers seem to be reflecting that.

Hire the Right Caterer

Whatever style of cake you choose for your wedding, it is absolutely essential that you pick the right caterer to make it for you. At Silver Spoon Caterers, we absolutely love getting the chance to work with you on your wedding cake design and make sure everything is exactly the way you want it to be on your special day. Contact us now for more information about our wedding cake catering services!

Tags: Wedding Caterers in Northern Virginia

Looking for the right caterer for your wedding? There are few things you want to consider. Aspects like the style and theme of your wedding, different kinds of menus, and the costs associated with each part of your catering should all be top of mind considerations. Your caterer should also be one of the first service providers you book for your wedding, as many popular caterers are booked up to a year in advance.

As you continue the planning process for your big day, here are 11 things you want to consider when hiring a wedding caterer.

Catering Costs

The factors that make up your catering costs include your guest list, your venue, your food and alcohol services, and staff. For a guest list of 100, you can expect to pay between $8,500 to $10,000 for food, with alcohol costing up to $5,000 for an open bar for 100 guests. This is for a nice, but standard wedding catering package.

When it comes to more luxurious wedding catering, you can expect to pay $20,000 or more for your food. Your catering company will likely provide a full bar service that does not unlimited drinks. This is often a cheaper option as it’s based on consumption, but it can be difficult to accurately estimate how much alcohol your guests will drink.

What is the Theme of Your Wedding?

From large deluxe galas to intimate backyard gatherings, every wedding has a theme, even if it’s subtle. What’s yours? Are you planning something dressy or something casual? For the more refined wedding, you may want to consider beautifully presented and eliquate Hors d’oeuvres and higher end dinner meals. For more intimate and casual gatherings of your closest friends and family coming together to celebrate your big day, a buffet style of delicious comfort food might work better.

Whether you’re hiring a professional catering outfit, or just ordering large portions from your favorite soul food purveyor, the personality and style of your wedding caterer should blend well with your theme.

The Right Menu

There are as many possible menu options as there is catering business and restaurants. Each vendor will offer something slightly different. As you begin your search for your wedding caterer, make sure to schedule tastings of their most popular offerings. Do this before signing a contract.

Your big day is ultimately about you and your partner, so if you find a few dishes that you absolutely love from a particular caterer, then your guests will likely love it as well. Just make sure it matches the theme of your wedding. You don’t want greasy finger foods for your black tie affair, and you don’t need to spend money on luxurious appetizers and entrees for a small get together of your closest loved ones.

You also want to inquire about dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or gluten free. Most caterers offer both of these options, but some charge an extra fee for doing so.

Licensing

This one might seem simple, but it is often overlooked. You want to make sure that the caterer you hire is properly licensed to serve food and alcohol. This is a safety precaution to ensure your guests are served food prepared by caterers that have thoroughly passed health code regulations. When it comes to serving alcohol, you want your caterer to carry liquor liability insurance. This will help protect you if one of your guests gets injured after having too much to drink at your wedding.

Alcohol Services

If your caterer does offer licensed alcohol services, you will want to inquire about how they structure their alcohol prices. Some vendors charge per legal adult guest, while others charge by consumption. Which one is more cost effective will likely depend on your RSVPd guest list. If you are planning on a large amount of alcohol consumption at your wedding, you will want to make sure there are enough bartenders to keep all your guest’s glasses full. Your catering packaging might include a set number of bartenders and there may be an extra charge for bar staff above that number.

The ideal ratio for bar and waitstaff to guest count is four cocktail servers per 100 guests, and one bartender per 50 guests.

Double Booking

Ask your caterer if they double book events on the same day or weekend. Specifically, do they have another event booked for the same day of the wedding. This is by no means a deal breaker as many catering companies employ enough staff to handle multiple events at the same time, but you want to make sure that your event gets the attention it deserves.

Service Packages

Ask potential caterers about the packages they offer. Do they only prepare and deliver the food? Or do they handle everything from set up of tables, bar area, dining ware, and break down at the end of the night? Are staff included? Most caterers offer different service packages that range from food only to fully staffed service, with each package coming at a different price point.

Finalizing Menus

Your caterer will require a date for finalizing your menu so that they can have everything prepared in time. Make sure you have enough time to finalize your decisions by their cut off date. This will require you to have a final head count so you know how much food to order.

Market Price Food

If you plan to serve food that is priced per the market such as seafood, you will want to make sure that a clear cap is placed on these menu items. This cap will limit the amount of market price food your caterer will purchase for your wedding. Without a cap your costs can skyrocket.

Wedding Cakes?

Some caterers create stunning wedding cakes and even include it in their packages. Others don’t do any baking. It might be easier to find a caterer who provides wedding cake services. Just make sure to ask if it’s included in your food price or if it’s an extra charge.

Wedding Catering Contract

The last thing you need to consider is your wedding catering contract. When you are reviewing your contract, first make sure that everything is listed correctly. This includes your name, your venue information, your guest count, your selected menu options, and your caterers licensing information.

Next, you want to make sure that the agreed upon pricing is correct and broken down by cost. The cost should include any potential overtime costs you discuss with your caterer, as well as the cap for any market priced food. It should also include all rental fees if your caterer will be setting up tables and the bar area.

Need The Best Caterer In Northern Virginia?

Need a trusted, reliable, and affordable caterer for your wedding in Northern Virginia? SilverSpoon has you (and your guests) covered. Contact us today to get started towards planning the food and beverage options for your wedding.