I have 3 cakes to do in the span of 4 days. i'm a Newbie and need some guidance.

I have a 30 serving 1st communion cake on saturday. 1/2 sheet w/ a cross on top. All fondant.
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Then on Sunday I have a 30 person bridal shower cake. I'm doing the doll cake of her dress. (fondant)

Then... on Tuesday, I have to do a cake for my student teacher who is leaving done at our school and graduating. Don't really know what I'm going to do for that yet. (I think I'm going to try the Viva buttercream trick with this???)

Any suggestions on what I can do in advance and how far in advance I can do it.

I'm FREAKING OUT!!!!! If they weren't all for family and friends I would have said NO WAY!!

Make all the frostings and prep everything ready on Wednesday. I would say bake the communion cake and the bridal shower cakes on the Thursday (you could even bake the teacher one and freeze it). Put the communion cake together and decorate it. If you finish, get started on the bridal cake on Friday. If not, start the bridal cake on Saturday and finish it on Sunday. I would probably bake the teacher cake on Sunday night (or if you froze it, pull it out and let it come to room temperature. It will take several hours). Decorate the cake between Monday and Tuesday.

You should go and search for teacher cakes! There are just so many that are adorable. They will help kickstart your imagination! I have a teacher graduation cake to do in a couple of weeks as well...so I was doing that this morning.

Good luck!

I agree with the other post...to prep as much as possible...even color your fondant and have it ready to roll out. I know a lot of folks don't like to freeze their cakes and even a lot of bakeries advertise that they don't freeze cakes, but I freeze 90% of my cakes. I typically make them a few days ahead...double or triple wrap them in clear wrap and then wrap in foil. I also don't wait for them to thaw before frosting and covering in fondant. I have not had any sweat on me yet and the frosting and fondant seem to hold in the moisture as they thaw because every cake I have made the client has raved about how moist they are. You may want to make some cupcakes or place your doll cake on another cake because the doll cake alone will not be enough for 30 people. If you are going to place flowers on any of the cakes, you could make those ahead as well...they can be dried and ready to go. Good luck, hope some of this helps!!!

Wow ~ that's a full load!!
Organization and having a game plan before you start is the only thing that'll get you through this (maybe a little alcohol too!)
I agree with cylstrial, try to do a sort of "production line" where you're making all the buttercream at once, fondant at once and cakes at once.
Good Luck and make sure to let us know how it went!

I would bake all the cakes together and freeze them. Make sure they are well sealed in saran wrap. And make all the icing ahead of time. If you are using color fondant, pre color it too ahead of time.

You have plenty of time.. Dont freak out. You have a whole day to decorate each cake and a day off in between if you even needed. You can make each cake the day before.

If you have any flowers or details in fondant that need to dry ahead of time. Start on those now!..lol
Edna

I agree with everyone who said to do as much prep work as possible ahead of time. Make sure you have enough of everything prepared/colored/baked/whatever. Prepare all your cake boards, and cake boxes if you use them. Fill all your icing bags for each cake the night before.

But remember, you are doing only ONE cake at a time. Try not to worry about anything except the cake you are working on at the moment. Don't drink too much coffee. Remember to eat something. Take a deep breath and repeat to yourself "One cake at a time! One cake at a time! One cake at a time!"

I sometimes do three cakes in a day, and I still repeat to myself "one cake at a time." It helps me focus.

Don't forget to post pictures

This is good advice....I will use this in the future!!!!