One obvious way to find a wedding cake decorator is to look through the advertisements found in bridal magazines.  The bakeries listed in these publications usually specialize in wedding cakes, so brides can be confident that they will get the benefit of having a professional take care of their cake.  However, brides should also know that advertising rates in these types of magazines can be pretty steep.  Odds are that only the most affluent cake decorators will be found in the pages of these glossy magazines.

Another way to quickly meet several wedding cake decorators is to attend a bridal fair.  Bridal fairs allow brides to preview the services of all types of wedding vendors including cake decorators.  Prospective customers are invited to taste cake samples, browse through photo albums of the decorators’ cakes, and to gather information about pricing.  Often times, brides even get to meet the cake decorator in person.  In a few hours’ time, brides can narrow their decision about choosing a cake decorator to two or three final options.

The internet can also be a powerful research tool when looking for a wedding cake decorator.  Popular websites like theknot.com and WeddingChannel.com offer advice about choosing a wedding cake professional and list professionals within a regional search.  Visitors to these sites can find their way to many wedding cake decorators with a few clicks of a mouse.

Sometimes, however, despite all of the research in the world, referrals from others provide the best leads to a wedding cake decorator.  Former brides are often happy to share the name of their cake decorator.  In addition, other wedding vendors are willing to share the names of professional cake decorators they’ve worked with in the past.  Florists who have designed cake toppers will know which cake decorators were best able to show off their arrangements.  Caterers have also usually seen more than their fair share of cake decorators’ works.  Brides should never hesitate to ask others about their experience with cake decorators.

Brides on a tighter budget may find that they can find the wedding cake of their dreams in the most unlikely of places:  the grocery store.  Many full-service grocery stores include a bakery department that offers cake decorating services.  In addition, many stores’ deli departments feature catering services.  A bride could find an affordable way to cater her wedding reception and order her wedding cake all at once.

Finding a wedding cake decorator can be a little intimidating for any bride.  Many don’t know where to start their searches.  However, by doing a little research, asking lots of questions, and being prepared to consider all of her options, a bride can quickly find the perfect cake for her big day.

First and foremost, you have to set a budget for your cake.  Will you spend less $100 on your cake?  Perhaps you’re planning a wedding with a large budget and plan to spend several hundred dollars.  Whatever your budget might be, you can be certain that it will guide many of your choices.  Be honest with your wedding cake decorator about your budget so that he can help you design a cake that fits your needs.

Another important factor in selecting a wedding cake is the number of people you will be feeding.  Small, intimate weddings may only require a small cake with one or two layers.  On the other hand, if you’re hosting more than one hundred people at your wedding reception, you’ll probably need a cake with three or more layers.  Knowing how many servings you will need to buy will help you estimate the final price of your wedding cake, too.

Deciding what type of icing will be used on your wedding cake will greatly affect both the price and the appearance of your wedding cake.  Most cakes are covered with either butter cream icing or fondant icing.  While either of these styles of icing will result in a beautiful cake, each has its own impacts on the design of the cake.  Fondant usually results in a sleeker style; butter cream, however can be applied in several different textures.  Take care to select the type of icing that works with the cake you want.

The size of a wedding cake can also vary greatly.  Of course, some part of the cake’s size is determined by the number of servings you will require.  A cake that feeds two hundred people will never be a small cake.  However, a cake that feeds fifty people doesn’t have to be a small cake.  If you want a massive wedding cake, but don’t want to purchase more cake than you need, you may opt to include a few “false” layers in your cake.  They can be iced to match the rest of your cake so that no one will ever know the difference.

Finally, you will need to make a decision about the overall style of your wedding cake.  Do you want something sleek and modern looking?  Or have you always dreamed of a traditional cake with icing flowers on top?  Flipping through magazines or browsing the internet can help you get an idea of what your ideal wedding cake looks like.

Once you’ve worked your way through these five decisions, you will be well on your way to selecting the wedding cake you’ve always wanted.  Your cake will be the perfect complement to your wedding and reception.  Now, you’re ready to move onto the rest of your wedding planning.