Do you make cakes for other happy events or just for weddings?
We think every happy occasion calls for a cake. We love making wedding cakes, but we also make fabulous cakes for bridal showers, birthdays, bachelorette parties, anniversaries, retirement parties, and graduations. Keep in mind that we have a $300 minimum.
I don't want to order enough cake to feed all the guests at my wedding. Is that okay?
We don't advise it. We find that not only do guests eat our cake, they ask for seconds! Where most bakeries use shortening, we use real butter. Here's why: Shortening has a higher melting point, so it won't melt in your mouth. Ever get that greasy film on the roof of your mouth after eating a bakery product? That's shortening. (Bakeries use it because it's a lot cheaper than butter.) Real butter has a lower melting point and is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. We also make everything from scratch, so our cakes are extra delicious. Clients who are considering ordering less wedding cake servings almost always change their minds once they taste our cake.
Why should I pay for a wedding cake no one's going to eat?
You shouldn't! But here's the thing: people actually eat--no, devour--our cake. Most wedding cakes are made using inferior ingredients like shortening and gloppy, cornstarchy fillings. All of our cakes are made using melt-in-your mouth butter, made-from-scratch recipes, and high-quality ingredients, all of which make our cakes taste quite delectable.
Do you make faux (or fake) wedding cakes?
Yes...and no. We want to have both creative control and control over ingredients. The thing is, taste is really important to us. Here are three scenarios:
Scenario 1: You want to use one of our cakes for display but serve a wedding cake purchased somewhere else.
Unfortunately, we don't want our name associated with a cake someone else made. Our hard-earned reputation is on the line! In this scenario, we won't create a faux cake.
Scenario 2: Our cake is just outside your budget.
We want to work within your budget to create a wedding cake that you love. Sometimes, it is more cost effective for us to create both a faux cake and a sheet cake to be kept in the back and served to guests. In this case, we will create a faux cake.
Scenario 3: You want a five-tier wedding cake but only have 65 guests.
For 65 guests, you would need only a three tier cake, but your dream wedding cake has five-tiers. We will provide as many faux tiers as needed to create the wedding cake you've always wanted.
Do you deliver to far, far away places?
Yes. We charge $50 per hour for delivery outside of Long Beach. We've delivered wedding cakes up and down the California coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Do you rent your cake stands?
Absolutely! Just ask.
Can I pick up my wedding cake?
We don't recommend it. Cakes--especially multi-tiered wedding cakes--are tricky business and can be surprisingly heavy. If you do choose to pick up your wedding cake, know that we are not responsible once it leaves the premises. And remember, there are only two people who can be trusted to deliver a wedding cake: the one who made it and the one who paid for it.
Do you have a storefront?
Actually, no. Erica has this thing about waking up early, so a storefront wouldn't work out too well. Our wedding cake consultations are by appointment at our cake design studio located at 404 Termino Avenue in Long Beach, CA (90814).
How does the consultation process work?
For your wedding cake tasting (also called a consultation), you will have the opportunity to sample up to three cake flavors and five fillings. A list of our flavors and fillings are found here. Of course we are happy to accommodate custom flavor requests. You need not choose flavor combinations for your consultation: The tastings are done mix-and-match style with un-iced cakes and fillings on the side to maximize the possible flavor pairings.
The tastings are fun and relaxed, with yummy cake, good coffee, some laughter, and lots of questions. (Be prepared: Erica asks every couple how they met.)
At your tasting, we will also begin discussing any design ideas you have and looking at color palettes, so please feel free to bring any photos, color swatches, or other design inspiration with you. Erica will also have her wedding cake design portfolio on hand so you can see some of her most recent work.
We require a credit card to secure your appointment. Because we bake everything fresh for your tasting, if you need to cancel, we ask that you do so at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time. If you fail to keep your scheduled appointment and don't call to let us know, your credit card will be charged $25.
Oh my God, Erica! You're like a creative genius! Where does it come from?
Okay, no one actually asked this. Erica just wanted to put it on the list. Really, though, Erica's mom is an artist and always fostered her creativity. Thanks mom. I love you.
