Hello everyone,
Need some help here big time. I just started decorating cakes and my cousin saw one of my cakes and asked if I could do their wedding cake. Now I really need to explain that I have done 3 cakes and that's all and that I am in the 3rd week of the FIRST Wilton course (learning tonight how to do a rose). For some reason they have more faith in me than I do at this point.

The wedding is in February and my aunt asked if I could make a small version of the cake for the stag and doe in November. The colors of the wedding is white and black only. I found a picture (cake name is Brenda with topper) that I would love to use but have now clue how to go about it. The lower cakes are 2 tiers and then pillars and one more smaller cake. First of all have no clue how to put pillars on a cake and how to hold it all together clueless for that one too and to shy to ask if I cold copy her cake.

I know I am complaining but I am so scared that it won't turn out. If you can check out my cakes (no laughing)lol and let me know if I can really do this. The cakes that are there are not from my class just stuff familly and friends asked for and I did.

Please someone help me.......... they won't take no for an answer

Worried Sylvie

Thanks

Hey Sylvie,
Don't let this scare you. you've got plenty of time to practice. There are some great tutorials on this site that can help explain how to use pillars and dowels for stacking cakes. Once it do it one time you kick yourself over how simple it is. I have to say it's pretty scary the first time though sticking those things in a perfectly frosted cake but you'll get over it.
The idea of doing a practice cake is a great idea, and if you work or go to church or whatever you can always find willing guinea pigs to try new ideas or decorating techniques to perfect your cake.
Don't worry about this you'll do great! Tell your family they can count on you and then come back to us cake central folks we'll help you as much as we can
Kate

You'll do fine! Do a practice run between now and then and you'll do fine! Did she indicate how she would like it decorated?

Debbie

Thank you all for the vote of confidence.

She didn't tell me what she wanted. It's my aunt that wants me to make the practice cake for the stag and doe. The only thing I know is the black and white. I asked her to find out what her flowers would be.

Sylvie

You'll be great!! It wasnt too long ago I was asked to do my first wedding cake, and I was horrified, that I was going to mess up someone's wedding! So I know how are you feeling!! You will be GREAT!!!!

I've seen you cakes and I know you can do it! You have plenty of time to practice. You could make a miniature version of the cake as a practice cake or practice in a dummy cake so you could see how it will look like.


Jen

Sylvie....don't you worry....you'll be fine....

Make it simple....plain frosting....maybe a border....or practice with fondant....you'll master it by then.....

you can always order pre-made sugar flowers online if you're worried about making them yourself...............or..................you can use fresh flowers....

just have fun!

In any Wilton book there are directions regarding stacking, doweling,etc. Plus if your teacher is willing-ask him/her questions about it. Keep practicing your roses-the rest will fall into place-you will see. I've done several cakes and get nervous every time....you can get a cake stand that doesn't require dowels either-Michael's has a few or you can go to your cake store and rent one for the occasion-keep the faith-you will do great!

I'm thinking if you are still in Course 1 then you have time to complete all 3 Wilton courses before Feb..Good luck..You will learn stacking, etc. in Crs. 3..

You can do it!

Like everyone said: practice! And I would recommend reading all the cake books you can get your hands on. Colette Peters' books are helpful. You'll find excellent advice here on this site, too.
Plan the cake--every detail--as soon as possible, that way you'll know what you're up against.
I did my first wedding cake having had no classes or other instruction. It was not easy, but it came out looking great.
Good luck!!

I was nervous when I did my first wedding cake, but I'm sure we all were. Once you get a little practice in you'll be fine. Definately get your hands on some cake books and read, read, read and practice, practice, practice.

You'll be able to do it, and everyone here is sure to be able to help you out along with your instructor.

Good luck. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

((HUGS))

yes do it ...because if anything else it practice... doing it for family is better than a stranger

You guys are so wonderful. The encouragement you give each and every one of us is incredible. I went to class last night and felt a little better about doing the rose. We haven't done all the steps of the rose but today I will be working on all the steps from the book so that I get more practice. Also, gonna go to the library and pick up a few of the Wilton books to read.

Again everyone thank you so much for the vote of confidence and now I know I can do it.

Sylvie

YOu can do this!!! My first wedding cake was for my own wedding, and I practiced months ahead of time.

Just put some belief and determination into it, and do whatever it takes to make the cake successful, and you'll be fine. (that may mean making a practice cake or two). Good LUck!

MoonicaLeigh I forgot what I was going to say because I couldn't stop watching your frolicking cow!!! Oh yeah, Vie, you can do this. You need to talk to your cousin and explain that you are new at this and you will do your best according to your abilities. When my neice asked me to do her wedding cake a year ago I said I would as long it was within the scope of my abilities at that time. I had a wedding cake to do the week before her wedding and no time to be studying a lot of new techniques. The both turned out fine but it was nerve wracking for me. My biggest problem was my neice kept making little changes until I said that's it. I told my sis one more change and I was going to quote her daughter my price per serving. This was a situation where my other sis was going to make the cake as a gift to the couple. Then when her life changed and she couldn't do it the neice asked me. I didn't feel like I could say no. Since you aren't afraid to ask questions and advice you'll be fine. Practice practice practice.

I made my first wedding cake for a friend of mine as a gift. It was 2 layers. First the icing was too thin and I had to scrap all of it off. Then I put the basket weave on the layers. with only one practice cake to do this, that was bad too. So everywhere the weaves did not match up or went the wrong way, I put a flower on it to cover. I made over a hundred small flowers out of royal icing. Then put the glitter all over it and it covered all my first time mistakes.

Thank you all for the vote of confidence. You have all said to ask questions and practice. Well practice I have been doing. If I haven't made 100 flowers I haven't made one. Not the best but I will get there.

Now my question to you all is ..... Should I try MMF or just buttercream?

Thanks
Sylvie

I'd stay with buttercream if it were me. Stay with what I already know at a time like this and work on perfecting that for this big event.