Why Aren't You Giving Me Wedding Cake?

My favorite part of your big day.

Keep reading for a list of quick cake tips. In need of some cake inspo for your wedding? I created a Pinterest board to get you started here.

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My very first job in high school was at a local bakery in Dana Point Harbor called It’s All About The Cake. We had been patrons of this family owned and operated shop since I was a baby, and I loved the romance of driving my little Volkswagon convertible down the hill and throwing on my apron. It really felt like being inside a romcom— brick walls and creaky floors, the smell of cappuccinos and pastries being made, French café music, and of course, wedding cakes. I absolutely loved working there and to this day, it was one of the most stressful jobs I’ve ever had.

My role as counter girl consisted of designing and taking orders for “celebration cakes” (birthdays, anniversaries, work parties, retirements, etc.), selling cupcakes and petit fours to walk-in customers, and every so often, assisting on a delivery for a big event. This was always a huge deal to me. First of all, I got to leave the cafe and ride in the truck with one of the delivery boys. These boys went to my school, were in my grade, and we simply would never have interacted if not for this job. Classic teen movie stuff. Then we’d arrive at the event space where party prep was in full swing and I’d get a behind the scenes look at fabulous weddings and parties being thrown in Orange County. Sometimes we’d even get tipped in cash. It seems insane looking back that they let us do this, two sixteen year olds driving a thousand dollars worth of cake down the road, what could go wrong? By some miracle, nothing ever did. At least not on my watch.

Back inside the cafe, I’d stand behind the register and watch the owner’s impossibly chic older daughter Alex conduct wedding cake tastings. Beautiful couples would come in for their appointments— sometimes with their parents, sometimes alone— and I’d offer them lemon water, coffee, or iced tea. I’d strain to hear them discuss their vision and other aspects of their day. I wanted to know everything. They would nibble and flip through the binders of past creations, and my mind would race with all the exciting details of their eventual celebration. I couldn’t even imagine how fun it would be to be engaged and planning a wedding.

Our wedding cake made by local Pasadena bakery “Takes the Cake” was white with raspberry filling and ivory buttercream frosting.