After just completing course 1 of the Wilton decorating classes, I received my first cake order. It is for an Engagement party with approximately 65 guests attending. I know the bride's colour (red) but I'm stumped as to what should be written on the cake. Any ideas? I also haven't decided whether to do two 12" round or one big slab. Any suggestions?

I'm nervous but looking forward to the challenge.

A 12" only serves 40 party servings. I'd go with the slab! 11x15 serves 60 and 12x18 serves 72. As for design and words, the possibilities are endless! There are lots of great designs in the galleries for inspiration!

Here is a picture of a cake i did for a freind getting married it was a fbct. It was little plain but that is what she wanted.

I'd go with a tiered cake. Sheet cakes kind of bore me. I feel that there is not alot you can do with them. Anyone else feel this way?

I don't think sheet cakes are boring if the decoration is interesting!

Congratulations on your first order!!! I'd go with the 12" rounds. I have seen some really nice sheet cakes but, a tiered cake seems more wedding inspired to me. But, that's just my preference. Take a look at some pictures in the gallery. You will get a ton of great ideas for either! Good luck.

Congratulations on your order!

I did a 12 inch square for an engagement party a few weeks ago. It was two layers with filling covered in fondant with a bow. I did white box with an ivory bow. Didn't write on the cake but did make a little tag with congratulation and the name of the bride and groom.

I did a 10" round with a 6" on top, frosted with bc in a basketweave then topped the top layer in chococovered strawberries and put them around the top of the secondlayer as well. I made a chocolate heart with the bride and grooms name on it and put it on the front of the top tier. Came out cute except for the smudges on the chocolate heart - which I have to work on next time.

Thanks all!!

Congratulations on your first order. I'd ask the Bride which she prefered and what she would like for it to say. Or the person that is giving the Engagement Party.

Lazy_Susan

They've left it up to me... the type of cake, the decorations for the cake. Basically I have free-range on what it will look and taste like. That's the scarey part about this whole venture.

Congratulations on your first bridal cake. I know that you will do fine and I will help in anyway I can.

Well, I've decided to jump in with both feet and will be doing a stacked/tiered cake. It will be a 12" round on the bottom, a 8" round in the middle and a 6" heart on top. Not sure on the cake flavours yet. I have another week to decide before I have to start making the cakes.

Do what you're comfortable with Tweedy. I'm sure it will come out beautifully! Please excuse me now as I state my further opinion about the humble sheet cake to others!

To all of you sheet cake haters: IMHO: I suggested it because Tweedy told us she just completed Wilton I, and we have no idea what her confidence level was at her first post of this thread. Also, sorry, but I think it's just a little bit rude to insult a 'cake shape' when that may be all that some of our members are comfortable with right now! Maybe those of us who've moved beyond the Wilton rose sprays in the corner should challenge themselves to come up with newer and better sheet designs! Lastingmoments, you have several cakes in your photos that I would call sheets, and all of them are lovely and not a single one is boring!

How can you "insult" a cake shape? I wasn't being rude to Tweedy, I was just stating my opinion on sheets, that's all. I'd much rather do tiered cakes or large round cakes then sheets. Just my opinion...