Planning
How much cake should be ordered?
If you don't have your RSVPs in yet, you can "guesstimate" by using 60% of the guest list. Keep in mind, this means the number of people that are invited, not the number of invitations sent out.
When should the cake be ordered?
As soon as the date is set, you can put money down to reserve your date. You can wait to do this, but you risk losing your cake date. May through August fills up especially fast, but many brides reserve over a year in advance, so time is of the essence.
How much money saves a cake "date"?
20% down is required. If the cake details are not set, an estimation can be made, and the price will be altered when the cake is ordered.
When is the cake set up, and who sets it up?
The cake is set up (normally) on the morning of the wedding, or at least 2 hours prior to the reception. "Cake Sera-Sera does all of the set up and delivery. "Cake" Sera-Sera can also set up the rest of the cake table. i.e. napkins, knife/server, etc. Flowers and cake tops are the responsibility of the bride/groom and must be a the reception hall that morning in order to be put on the cake by "Cake" Sera-Sera.
Timeline12 Months: Announce engagement, write guest list, plan budget, settle on
a wedding style, shop for rings.
11 Months: Choose wedding location, set date, send announcement to newspapers.
10 Months: Order cake from "Cake" Sera-Sera, hire caterer, photographer,
florist, musicians, look for dresses.
9 Months: Choose bridal party, register
8 Months: Meet with clergy, plan honeymoon, plan accommodations for out-of-town
guests.
.
7 Months: Order wedding dress, finalize guest list.
6 Months: Order bridesmaid dresses, select shoes and undergarments.
5 Months: Select wedding favors, order invitations
4 Months: Order tuxedoes, book honeymoon, purchase gifts
for bridal party
3 Months: Purchase rings. Finalize flowers, plan menu,
address/stamp invitations. Plan honeymoon clothing.
2 Months: Mail invitations, attend showers, write vows,
buy guest book, change name on Social Security, driver's license, credit
cards and bank accounts.
1 Month: Finalize plans, attend final fittings, write shower
thank-you notes.
3 Weeks: Call guests who haven't RSVP'd, plan seating at
reception, obtain marriage license.
2 Weeks: Meet with hair stylist. Pay final cake payment.
1 Week: Have final meetings with caterer, clergy, florist,
etc.
*Most of the information for this timeline is courtesy of Wilton Industries,
Inc.