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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 73 First, give yourself adequate time to choose a wedding cake. A general rule of thumb is to select your baker and order the cake between three and six months before the wedding. Once a bride knows her wedding color palette and the venue, it's a good idea to get the cake designed and ordered before the "crunch period," which is usually the last two months before the wedding. Begin your wedding cake search online and in bridal magazines. Print or tear out photos of wedding cakes you like, and bring preferred photos with you when visiting the baker. Choose a reputable baker; consider the cakes you've enjoyed at weddings you've attended in the same area. Ask friends for the names of bakers they've used and ask other local friends for recommendations. It's a good idea to choose a baker not too far from your reception location to decrease the chance of any damage to the cake in transit. Calculate how many guests you'll be having; this dictates the size of cake you'll need, and affects how much the cake will cost. Generally, if you add up the number of guests you'll invite, assume everyone will come and you'll need enough to feed each person. Plan for three tiers of cake for between 50 and 100 guests, for instance. Add another tier, or larger tiers, for every additional 50 guests aer 100. If you're planning to keep the top tier of your wedding cake for an anniversary, remember that this tier should not be included in your serving count. Make sure you love how the cake tastes. Schedule a meeting with each baker on your list, and ask each baker to show you examples of cakes that she has made in the past so you can see what she offers. Arrange for a cake tasting before the cake is ordered, and invite your fiancé to come along for the tasting so you can each agree on flavors you like. If you're having an outdoor reception or getting married during hot summer months, ask the baker to give you samples of frosting that will hold up in the heat and won't melt. A good baker should be able to offer both basic flavors (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) and some more unusual: red velvet, lemon, etc. Keep in mind that a good baker can make vanilla taste amazing. Most bakers can also vary the flavors of the tiers, if you'd like to offer your guests some variety. Choose the baker who best suits your budget and makes cakes that are both attractive and delicious. Give the baker photos of your flowers and swatches of fabric that match your table linens and the colors of your wedding palette. Before confirming your order, ensure the baker knows when and where to deliver the cake, giving specific information about the reception venue and cake set-up window. Once you've made a final choice of the design and flavor of the cake you want, ask the baker for a written agreement confirming the style and price of the cake you've agreed on. Remember, most bakers will require a deposit at the time the order is placed. M by lisa pritchard mayfield Most couples opt to display the cake throughout the entire reception, and the size of the standard wedding cake means it will be a focal point of the room. ere are a few things to keep in mind as you select this all-important dessert.