My cousin just asked me to be the Matron of Honor in her wedding and I couldn't be more excited. But, I also will be making the cake for her wedding of 300. She really likes the picture below by WendyVA. Any suggestions on how to save time or do something similar ahead of time???

Luckily, it doesn't look terribly difficult. My suggestion? Do it as early as you can. I was the Matron of Honor at my friends wedding and I was supposed to drop it off Friday afternoon, so I could spend Friday night and Saturday all day with her. I worked on it Thursday evening and wound up screwing it up big time. Luckily, I was able to have my husband drop it off on Saturday, so I could fix it Friday afternoon. And I never got it completely straight. Craziness. I attached a copy for you to see it. It was supposed to be completely stacked - I went out Friday morning and bought the globe seperator at Michaels because I could not stack it. Long story, not going into it now. So, start early and aim to finish it the day before you need to have it done, just in case.

The blues on that cake are very striking and pretty. I also like the candles...nice touch. If I get the cake done on Thursday and deliver Friday, I am hoping that the restaurant of the reception will let me keep it there. It is going to be buttercream with looped fondant bows so I would think it would be fine to sit out.

Thanks! The candles weren't originally part of the plan , but I think they wound up looking pretty cool.
The cake will be fine if you leave it out for a day. I leave my cakes out all the time. Just make sure it is not by a window in the direct sunlight, so it doesn't melt.

That is a pretty basic design and an easy delivery for anyone to do for you. Make your bows ahead of time, as advance as you can, make lots of extras as well. Bake Monday and freeze (if you have room) make frosting Wednesday and color it. Decorate cakes on Thursday and I'm sure you will be able to drop them off on Friday, set them up at home and take a picture of the presentation so you can leave a picture at the site so there is no question on how they should be set up.

You will be fine!

I made my sisters wedding cake and was her matron of honor. This was 4 years ago when I first started making wedding cakes. The cake was covered in coconut so that was the easy part, but still I know how you feel. I was very stressed out. It all worked out though! Just take your time and I agree to try to do as much as you can before. Good luck and keep us posted!

I did the same for my sister's wedding! It's a bit crazy, but can be done! Be sure to pre-arrange times for everything and it should go smoothly! I set up the cake with the florist while the other girls got dressed (after we had hair done in the morning). It all went smoothly in the end!

Good luck!

thanks for all the great tips! I especially like the idea of setting up the cake at home and taking a picture of the presentation. Do you think I should add the bows before transport, or when I get there?

both cakes are beatiful.
just curious, could you do dummy cakes and serve a sheet cake?
this way they can be done far in advance. maybe have one small one to keep as their 'top tier'.
whatever you decide im sure it will turn out fine!
good luck and have fun!
darlene