How to place an order with me...

Have you never ordered from a cake maker before? Do you want to know how you go about it? DO you want to know what information your baker needs? If you answered yes then this blog is for you.

First things first...find your cake maker. I see posts on social media all the time asking for a recommendations for a cake maker. I would say this is probably the best way to go, word of mouth from people that have actually eaten the cake. Then have a little mooch on their socials to see the types of cakes they make. Can you see something you might like to order? Are their cakes similar to the design inspo you have? Things like fondant or buttercream? Not all cake makers do both so that's a pretty good indication of whether that cake maker can help you or not.

I sometimes get sent pictures of cakes that I know must have cost that person £100's to make, if not more! I will always give a price for the cake I've been sent but then I'll suggest what can be changed to bring the cost down. The one thing I will always turn down is carving! Carved cakes, such as a car for instance are ridiculously time consuming and to be honest it doesn't matter how much I would charge for that style of cake it wouldn't cover the cost on my anxiety and mental health trying to pull it off. I did it once, never again! So think of this when you're searching, can you see the type of cake you're looking for, if not then maybe save that cake makers time and look elsewhere.

Once you've picked your cake maker and found if they are registered and insured then all you've got to do is drop them a message. This could be through social media, email or text. Each cake maker is different so have a look at their website to see their preference for contacting them.

Your cake maker needs as much information as possible in that first message to save lots of backwards and forwards, such as:

• Date of Collection (this way your customer knows when it needs to be ready for, if you give the date of the celebration then your cake might not be ready if you wish to collect the day before for instance.

• Design ideas (send inspo, we love seeing cakes so send them over. If not, just just give some info on what you would like on the cake. Wording, age, names, personalised topper, colour scheme, handmade figures.. all of these details will help your cake maker be able to give you a price.

• Cake Flavour (that's the most important bit right?)

• Cake Size (if you're not sure on size then let your cake maker know how many portions you would like from your cake. Most of my cakes are 6" with 3 layers but each cake maker is different)

Another thing you could do is let your cake maker know if you have a budget. Just going for the cheapest cake maker might not be the most cost effective. Are your quotes like for like? Someone just starting out will obviously be cheaper than someone that's been doing this for years, you are paying for that expertise and knowledge.

Have you thought about giving your cake maker free reign over your cake design? I know that's when I work at my best and maybe go above and beyond what I've quoted for. If you send me a design request, I will work my best to match that but with my own spin. If you give me free reign you will have a completely bespoke cake that no one will have ever had or seen before.

If in doubt, your cake maker is human and will help in anyway they can. But give them time to respond, none of us have an admin team working behind the scenes we're normally a one man band wearing all the hats. If your cake maker takes a few days to reply then that means they're really busy in the kitchen creating, they will reply to you when they can.