WEDDINGS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should I book my wedding cake?
Peak wedding season is April through October (our busiest months are May, September, and October). If your wedding date falls within the peak season, we suggest you book at least three to six months in advance of your date. You can book your wedding cake up to a year in advance if you have secured your date and your venue.
Can I hold the date?
Yes. You can hold the date. You will need to fill out a contract and put down an estimated 50% deposit, based on your guest count.
How much will my cake cost?
Our wedding cakes are priced per serving. The per-serving charge will depend on the flavor that you choose. All designs are priced separately.
Let's say you are having 80 guests at your wedding. The most common cake our clients purchase for a wedding this size is a 3-tiered round cake (12” bottom, 9” middle, and 6” top) serving 82. Finished with buttercream and no additional design elements, this cake will start at $389.50 for a plain chocolate or vanilla cake. ($4.75 per serving x 82 servings = $389.50). Please see the serving chart on our web page for serving guidelines for our square tier sizes and larger round tier sizes. Pricing for other cake flavors can also be found on our website.
I am having a large number of guests at my wedding. How could I make my order more cost effective?
You may order half-sheet or full sheet cakes to accompany your tiered cake provided that your tiered cake serves at least half of your guest list. The half- and full sheet cakes are for cutting purposes only and are not displayed or decorated.
Let's say you are having 150 guests at your wedding. The "display" cake you have chosen will feed 72-82 guests and will start at approximately $400. You can order a full sheet cake to feed your remaining number of guests (70 guests), which will start at $105 for chocolate and vanilla and go up to $125 for all other flavors.
$4.75 per serving x 82 servings = approximately $400
Full sheet chocolate or vanilla cake = $105
Total for Display + Sheet Cake = $505
(compared to $712.50 for a larger "display" cake feeding 150 guests @ $4.75 per serving x 150 servings = $712.50.)
Can you make the wedding cake and my friend or caterer will make the sheet cakes or groom's cake?
Sorry, but no. It is against our policy to serve our cakes at an event where other cakes will be served. This is to protect our reputation as having wonderfully moist and delicious cakes made from the finest ingredients that are beautifully decorated. We do not know the quality of the other cakes there and cannot risk being mistaken as the creator of those cakes. It is also a liability issue; we adhere to strict health department requirements in creating your cake. We reserve the right to return to our bakery with your cake if we confirm with the delivery location that cakes other than ours will be served at your event. You will not receive a refund for your cake if you are found to be serving other cakes at your event.
Do you offer consultations and tastings?
We currently offer complimentary consultations and tastings for clients who will need a 3-tiered cake or larger. The smallest 3-tiered cake we offer serves 62. If your guest list is smaller than 62, you may book a consultation and tasting for a $50 fee, paid in full at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Though we do offer free consultations for potential clients meeting the minimum, we do require a credit card to book the consultation. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are subject to a $50 booking fee.
Because we want to give every client our full and undivided attention when picking out the perfect cake for this momentous occasion, we cannot guarantee appointments when the client is 20 minutes late or more (these are considered missed appointments and are subject to the $50 fee). We are happy to provide up to a total of 1.5 hours consultation (including in-person, phone, and via e-mail) at no charge; any additional time is $50 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments.
When and where are your consultations and tastings held?
All of our meetings are by appointment only and are held at our shop located in Washington, D.C. I schedule consultations/tastings Mondays - Thursdays at 5:30 pm, Fridays between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays after 2:00 pm Please allow up to 1 hour for your appointment. Clients must fill out and submit our cake questionnaire via email at least 48 hours prior to their scheduled appointment.
What happens during the tasting?
You will have a chance to taste your selected cake choices, and then we will discuss your size, design, and pricing options. Based on the information you provide via email in our cake questionnaire, I will prepare some sizing and design recommendations that we will go over during the consultation.
I have a special design in mind and I have a picture of how I want my wedding cake to look. Can you create the design I want?
All my cake designs are custom and are tailored to each client’s needs and desires. I also offer hand sculpted and hand painted sugar flowers that can be customized just for you. I will work with you to create a cake that is unique to you and your wedding day. You may submit photos of cakes that you like, and you are welcome to look through my online cake gallery to choose cake designs that you like. Please fill out our cake questionnaire and submit it, along with any photos you have, via email at least 48 hours prior to your tasting.
Are there different prices for any of the cake flavors?
Yes. See the “Weddings” page for pricing info for each flavor we offer. If you choose to have different flavors for different tiers, the total per serving charge for the cake will be based on the most expensive tier.
Can I use fresh flowers on my cake? Who puts the flowers on my cake?
If you are using a florist for fresh flowers on your cake, they need to be properly prepped by the florist for placement on the cake. The fresh flowers should be waiting at the cake table prior to the cake’s arrival. We prefer to place all fresh flowers and other decorations on the cake ourselves! No one else should be responsible for touching the cake except for the cake decorator!
At no charge, we will put a florist’s pre-arranged flowers on the cake. However, if loose flowers are ordered through your florist, we will charge an arranging fee for the arrangement of loose flowers on the cake, priced at $50 per hour and prorated in 15-minute increments.
Due to the risk from pesticides, poisonous plants, etc., use fresh flowers at your own risk. Contact your local florist to pick out a non-toxic, food-safe choice.
What about my cake topper? Do I bring it to your bakery?
Due to our limited storage space, cake toppers should be brought directly to your venue. Your site should have it waiting at the cake table for us to put on when we arrive with the cake. If it is something we are making here, we will bring it with us. Please let us know if your cake topper is heavy and needs support. If you have any doubts about your topper’s suitability, you should bring it by our bakery before the reception date, so that we can look at it.
What if I have more people coming to my wedding than expected and did not order enough cake?
Most people get their final guest count three weeks prior to their wedding date. At this time you should double check the amount of servings your contracted wedding cake provides. If your guest count is more than your cake serves, then you can order additional cakes from our regular menu to supplement the order in your wedding cake contract. Once cut and plated, your guests would not be able to distinguish between the displayed cake and the regular menu cake. Please be sure to order the extra menu cake at least three weeks prior to your reception date.
How far do you deliver?
We offer delivery up to a 30 - 40 mile radius from our shop for 3-tiered cakes or larger. Deliveries for distances outside that radius will be subject to a round-trip delivery fee based on miles traveled.
Is there a delivery charge?
Yes. The delivery charge is based on miles traveled. Please see the delivery chart on our web page to determine the cost of delivery to your venue. Some cakes requiring elaborate set-ups may be subject to an increased set-up and delivery charge. Please be aware that if the delivery specialist has to wait at the location (for the cake table to be set up, cake decorations to arrive, etc.), additional charges apply ($50 per hour prorated in 15-minute increments).
We can only offer delivery for cakes that are 3-tiers or larger. Clients ordering smaller cakes must arrange to have their cakes picked up from our shop the day of their event.
How do I make my payment(s)?
50% of the total is required to secure your date with us and can be in the form of cash, check, or charge. Cancellations must be made more than 30 days in advance in order to receive a refund (less a $50 non-refundable fee). Cancellations made less than 30 days in advance will not receive a refund of the deposit amount. The deposit is not transferable to other orders. Items may not be removed from the order within 30 days of the event date. The balance is due three weeks prior to the event date. After the final balance is paid, no details of the order may be changed. Orders placed less than two weeks in advance are subject to a 30% surcharge (15% for cupcakes).
Do you have pictures of some of your previous cakes?
Yes, please visit our Cake Gallery to view some of our previous work.
How can I schedule my consultation?
After you've looked all around the website, read through this FAQ, and you are ready to make an appointment for a consultation and tasting, please email me at "weddings [at] stickyfingersbakery [dot] com" with the date(s) and time(s) you are available within the days and times I schedule appointments (see above). I do not schedule appointments by phone. It is helpful if you fill out and submit our cake questionnaire with your email.
