When it comes to wedding planning, there are few things sweeter than picking your desserts…quite literally! From buttercream vs. fondant debates to figuring out just how many cake tiers you need, the options can be as overwhelming as they are delicious. That’s why we turned to the experts: Vermont’s most talented wedding bakers. These pros have whipped up hundreds (if not thousands) of wedding desserts, and they’re sharing their top tips, trends, and advice to help you and your partner as you choose a wedding baker. Consider this post your go-to guide to Vermont wedding desserts. Grab a cup of something cozy, bookmark this post, and continue reading for the sweet advice Vermont wedding bakers want you to know as you plan for this delicious part of your wedding day!
Starting With the Basics: Inquiry & Booking
Thinking about reaching out to a baker? Before you hit “send,” check out what these Vermont wedding pros had to say about getting the conversation started and making sure you get a spot on their calendar.
How far in advance should couples book their cake artist, and what should they bring to the tasting?
“I think 6-12 months is a good amount of time to book out. If you have a really popular date (peak season) 9-12 is safer. Couples should bring anything to the tasting that might help the design process. Color swatches, floral inspiration. Picture boards etc.” – The Goose Chase Cake Design
“I typically book out a year to 8 months in advance. But if you have a smaller wedding (less than 50 people), there is a bit more flexibility. If you’re doing a sit down tasting, bring your partner, your appetite, and maybe a notebook with your design ideas and to take notes about the desserts you’re trying!” – Blue House Bakeshop
“We recommend doing a tasting a few months before your wedding. November – May is an excellent time for tastings because we’ll have greater availability outside of wedding season. Our tastings can be for cakes, and other desserts too! Most of our desserts can be shipped as well.” – Cronin Cakes and Sweets
What factors impact the cost of a wedding cake that couples might not think about?
“When it comes to pricing a wedding cake, labor is the most costly ingredient. Think about your cake design and how much extra time that will take to achieve. The bigger the wedding cake, the more time the design will take, and vice versa. Another major factor in pricing is the flavor. If you are requesting a custom flavor (off menu), it will take extra time for us to research, test, and perfect that new recipe. Not to mention, it could include ingredients that we don’t typically keep on hand. All of these things will add to that final cost.” – Blue House Bakeshop
“Creating a wedding cake is like creating a work of art. It takes a long time to master the skill and not everything can just whip up a cake that is beautiful, tastes great and is structurally sound. Couples have to understand that they are paying for that knowledge. Also, having a kitchen to work out of is a huge expense. It is not just renting a studio, it has to be a registered kitchen that comes with all kinds of restrictions and expenses.” – The Goose Chase Cake Design
What are some common mistakes couples make when it comes to planning their wedding dessert?
“Assuming setup or display piece rentals are included when ordering. Couples also tend to underestimate how long travel time can be to venues throughout Vermont. Each baker and wedding professional is different, so it’s never a bad thing to ask about these details.” – Sweet Vermont Treats
“This is not a ‘mistake’, but more of something I’d like couples to think about. Keep your guests’ experience in mind and don’t be paranoid about non-traditional flavors! Don’t choose something plain/normal just because you think everyone will like it. I include 2 flavor combinations in the cost of the average to large orders because I want them to offer options! I’ve had 5-tier cakes in which each tier was a different flavor combination. (How fun is that?!)” – Fancy Pants Cakes
“Flowers on or around your cake can be gorgeous! However, there are many flowers that should never, ever come into contact with any kind of food. That is why having a knowledgeable wedding florist is important. They help you (and me!) make sure that beautiful, non-toxic florals are available at the venue at the time of delivery. Then, I wrap all floral stems in food-safe tape before placing them onto the cake.” – Cronin Cakes and Sweets
Exploring Wedding Cake Trends and Taste
Desserts are having a moment, and Vermont wedding bakers are here for it. Couples are saying yes to unexpected flavors, whimsical designs, and dessert tables that double as decor. Here’s what’s trending right now in the world of wedding sweets.
What are the most popular cake flavors right now, and what are some underrated favorites couples should try?
“Maple of course! A super-easy way to incorporate Vermont into your event. Fruit flavors are popular during summer months as well. Underrated flavors: VT Maple Berry (maple cake, mixed berry filling, maple buttercream, fresh berries) and Chocolate, which is surprisingly not popular for wedding cakes.” – Sweet Vermont Treats
“My most popular flavors are classic vanilla and lemon raspberry. They are super yummy and popular for a good reason. Peanut butter mocha (chocolate cake with peanut butter chocolate frosting with a hint of espresso) is my personal favorite and definitely underrated for a wedding!” – Blue House Bakeshop
What trends are you loving in wedding cakes or desserts right now, and what do you consider timeless?
“I am loving the single-tier long or wide cakes right now. They are so fun and funky! Also, the ones topped with raspberries. I think a big, beautiful, white cake with fresh flowers is so classic and timeless. I don’t think they will ever go out of style.” – The Goose Chase Cake Design
“A mixture of flavors and different kinds of desserts -easy to please a crowd of people! For example, a young lively crowd will eat more handheld foods to bring to the dance floor, while an older crowd prefers more of a traditional slice of cake/sit-down dessert. In terms of trends, the lambeth-style cakes are always fun. They are a big trend right now, but I think they are timeless too.” – Sweet Vermont Treats
“Timeless? Simple buttercream covered with flowers, though there are many ways that you can arrange the flowers to give the cake different looks: more or less traditional, neat vs wild, monochrome vs bright, subtle vs over the top. I consider adding bits of the couple’s personality as “timeless,” whether that’s a unique cake topper or something about their pet or shared passion.” – Fancy Pants Cakes
“I’m still loving the trendy vintage/Lambeth piping cakes right now. I also think that style is timeless! They are decidedly “old-fashioned”, but that style would also be perfectly at home at a funky modern wedding. Love them.” – Blue House Bakeshop
“I love when couples think outside the box. A couple getting married this summer requested mini churros for their dessert table, and I loved the idea so much, I added them to my permanent menu. Served with chocolate ganache and dulce de leche for dipping, they’re a fun and interactive treat for guests!” – Cronin Cakes and Sweets
How do you help couples design a cake that reflects their personality or wedding style?
“I ask them lots of questions! If a couple shares inspiration photos that reflect a wide range of styles, I ask a lot of questions to figure out what they are drawn to in those photos. From there, I can find other specific examples online that might show how we can bring different elements together. With some back and forth, we can figure out the perfect plan!” – Fancy Pants Cakes
“I will typically ask couples to send me lots of photos (or a Pinterest board) with their wedding style goals and any cake designs they like, and I will go from there to make suggestions based on my own design talents and abilities that fit within that style goal. Sometimes couples are really specific about what they want, which is great, and makes for less back and forth. I’ll meet you wherever you are in your wedding dessert brainstorming.” – Blue House Bakeshop
Find Your Dream Vermont Wedding Baker
Thanks to these incredible Vermont bakers for sharing their expertise with us in this blog post:
Blue House Bakeshop is a home-based catering bakery in Shelburne, Vermont, offering gorgeous wedding desserts and cakes with a delicious homemade taste. Not a cake person? Personally, our favorite wedding dessert tables include both a cake for the couple to cut and a variety of desserts for guests to choose from. It’s the best of both worlds!
Cronin Cakes and Sweets is a licensed home-bakery in the heart of St. Albans, Vermont. Our goal is to create the cake or dessert table that you’ve always imagined by using small-batch recipes coupled with an elevated attention to design.
Fancy Pants Cakes is located in Bennington, Vermont, and specializes in creating delectable cakes and cupcakes. From simple cutting cakes with mini cupcake towers to towering 5-tier (or more!) cake masterpieces, our creations are guaranteed to delight every tastebud. We love it when couples think outside of the box and bring their personality into their desserts!
Sweet Vermont Treats is a bakery in Barre, Vermont, serving up gorgeous wedding desserts and cakes with a delicious twist. In addition to our signature wedding cakes, we serve cupcakes, tarts, brownies, and other delectable desserts, perfect for making a large wedding dessert table.
The Goose Chase Cake Design is a full-service cake design and dessert company located in the Mad River Valley. We specialize in custom-designed wedding and special occasion cakes. We also build delectable dessert tables if cake is not your style! With well-tested recipes, each dessert is made entirely from scratch using fresh and local ingredients.
