Advice for my first 2 wedding cake orders please!

All the very best to you Sara! This must be so exciting. I’ve never made a wedding cake, so can only wish you luck, and loads of new orders!
Radhika

From the little experience I have with wedding cakes when it comes to delivery you need to give yourself more than enough time to get to the destination and with time to spare,many things can happen you can get lost,there could be something you need to fix on the cake as you set up so you need time.

When it comes to transporting larger cakes,it is good to keep in mind the design of the cake.A simple stacked cake with few decorations will transport without problems as long as it is dowelled/secured .Other designs though will require for example that each tier is transported separately.Cakes with intricate decorations for example flowers,sugar work may require that you transport the decorations separately and attach on sight.
Always travel with an emergency kit.It should have among other things extra decorations in case of breakage,any kind of sugar glue for attaching/fixing,brushes,glitter powder and anything else you may need depending on the cake.
There is a Forum Topic here on CakesDecor about what to do when there is no one to sign for a cake on delivery,do read that for more tips,It suggests taking a photo of the cake after set up. It is evidence of delivery of your work incase anything goes wrong.
I know it may sound daunting and a bit much to consider but surely with the care you are taking to prepare for the cakes, it will be alright.All the best

Thank you for the well wishes Radhika and thank you so very much for all of that advice cakechic3, I’m going to print out what you’ve written ☺

I always Google the venue and see how far it is, as I might have had to charge for transportation depending on how far it is, also want to plan how long it would take to get there. I have always checked in with the venue and introduced myself as the “cake lady”. Spoke to the person in charge. Asked questions about where the room was located, was there stairs (a big deal), a elevator etc. When I am allowed to come and set up the cake. Cake Chic3 had good advice. I’ve transported cakes both stacked and unstacked depending on the style, etc. If your cake is well doweled and packed property, you shouldn’t have a problem. I use a sturdy cardboard box lined with rubber matting so cake won’t slide. In the trunk of car with more rubber matting under the box. I have 2 5lb Dumbbells I sometimes put on either side of the box as a just in case…..and drive slowly and try and avoid bumpy roads…
Best of luck…

Awesome stuff jchuck. Thank you for spending the time to help ☺

There’s a 1st time for everyone…. 👍

Cake Chic’s advice for transporting and taking along a “kit” is great.
When I confirm a wedding order I get the name and number of the bride’s contact person at the venue, or the name and contact details of the wedding planner. That way I have someone to get hold of on the day if I have to because its not always possible to get hold of the bride.
A week before the wedding I contact the venue and double check that I have the correct venue, the name of the reception hall at the venue (some venues have more than one), and how close I will be able to get to the reception venue- a delivery entrance means I don’t have to carry a cake for miles.
On the day I send the bride a message to let her know I have arrived and again when the delivery is done – if they are dressing at the venue they often like to come and see or send someone to see that all is well.

Thank you Angel, I’m already feeling less freaked-out with all this wonderful advice! I wouldn’t have even thought about multiple halls or delivery entrances.

I plan weddings as well, so that experience has helped with my wedding orders too.

If you are using sugar flowers on the cake, if you can, don’t put them (or most of them) on until you arrive, especially not the larger, wired flowers. I’ve lost some beauties in transit (vibration in the car from bumpy roads is also trouble)and it is heartbreaking. And have some extras in case of breakage.