Outdoor Receptions

While an outdoor reception is a wonderful idea, it is less than ideal for the wedding cake.  Please be aware of the following items - which have happened in the past and will no doubt happen again.  Don’t let it be you!

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY:  These two are arch enemies of a wedding cake.  As I cannot control either, Dee’s Specialty Cakes will not be responsible for what they will do to your cake.

UNINVITED GUESTS, CRITTERS, BUGS AND THINGS THAT FLY:  Don’t forget that you are invading their territory; so bugs and creepy crawler things are going to want to check out your cake.  And if the cake doesn’t attract them, any flowers and greenery most likely will.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: 

·        The cake MUST be under a tent or shelter

·        The table must be level or very close to level.  Dee’s reserves the right to refuse delivery if the table is on a significant angle.  Gravity has a way of winning over a cake.

·        Solid surfaces are best.  If you are on a temporary surface, the floor should not “flex” when walked on.  To test this, place a glass of water on the table and walk across the floor.  If the water ripples, then the cake will also ripple every time someone walks across it.  If the table is on an angle, your cake may not stand the test of time.  If the table is on grass, make sure the ground is not soft.  The weight of the cake or someone leaning on the table may cause the legs to sink into the ground.

·        Avoid placing the cake in an entry/foyer where guests may bottleneck around it and bump into it.

·        Keep it out of the sun.  Please plan for the angle of the sun as the day goes on.  A solid drape or tent flap should be in place to shade the cake if you must place it on the west side of a building.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS (and memories):  Dee’s strongly recommends that pictures be taken early, when the cake is looking “spiffy.”  Keep in mind that the cake may have already been set up for a couple of hours depending on when Dee’s is allowed access for delivery.

STORMY WEATHER:  If the ceremony is moved to the reception site due to weather, Dee’s must be notified as early as possible to determine the best time to deliver the cake.

SCHEDULE:  Please make Dee’s aware of any schedule changes or time gaps.  In some cases the cake must be delivered before the ceremony.  In some cases there is a period of time between the wedding and reception, and that’s when the cake should be delivered.

NOTE:  Dee’s reserves the right to protect the cake by building it smaller than planned and placing the additional cakes in the food tent.