Frequently Asked Questions
This page lists some of the questions most frequently asked by my customers. If you cannot find the answer to your query here, please do not hesitate to contact me. Details of how to contact me can be found on the Contact us page.
Wedding cake consultations
Q: Which areas do you serve?
A: I serve primarily the Cheshire area (North West England). I also cover Manchester, St. Helens, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Q: How do I book a consultation?
A: You can either email me or phone me to book a consultation. Alternatively fill in the form present on this website. Simply go to the Contact us page where my details are listed.
Q: How much do you charge for a consultation?
A: Nothing. Your consultation with me is free of charge and with no obligation.
Q: Where are your consultations held?
A: All consultations with me are held in my home in warrington, the address is found on the Contact us page.
Q: When are your consultations held?
A: Consultations can be held at any time from 10:30 am, including some evenings. Please note that all consultations are held by prior mutual agreement only.
Weekend consultations may be possible subject to my availability.
Q: Do I need to bring anything to the appointment?
A: To help me advise you on your dream wedding cake, it would be helpful if you brought along your ideas, any pictures of cakes you might like, magazines, colour samples, swatches, samples of the bridal fabric/lace, flowers, a picture of yourself and your spouse-to-be (if you need a model of the couple on the cake).
However, do not worry if you haven't got anything, I will listen to your wedding ideas and together we will come up with a bespoke wedding cake just for you.
Cake Designs
Q: Do you only offer cakes displayed on your website? A: No. I can create a cake to your exact specifications and in your chosen colour scheme. I can create a model of the bridal couple, match your wedding flowers in sugar or even replicate lace from the bridal gown.
Q: Can I design my own cake?
A: Of course you can. You can bring all your ideas to the consultation where I will guide you as to how you can incorporate your design into the wedding cake.
Q: Can I have a one or two tiered cake?
A: Yes. Any design can be modified to fit a single or double tiered cake. If you have more guests than the cake will serve, you could have additional kitchen cakes.
Q: Can I have more than three tiers?
A: Yes. I will discuss with you the design of your cake that supports more than three tiers.
If you think that you might end up with too much cake, you could substitute some of the tiers with dummy polystyrene cakes.
However, if I do not set your cake up for you, I will not accept responsibility for any unfortunate incidents once your cake is collected.
Q: What are kitchen cakes?
A: As the name suggests, kitchen cakes are additional cakes hidden away in the kitchen.
Kitchen cakes are iced cakes of your chosen flavour that are not displayed during the celebration. They will have the same coverings as the actual cake on display and taste the same too.
You may need kitchen cakes if:
- You have a small wedding cake on display that will not make sufficient servings for all your guests.
Cake flavours
However, if you need anything that is not shown, please do not hesitate to ask.
Q: Can I have different flavoured cake tiers?
A: Yes you can. The bottom tier(s) are usually fruit cake as they are the heaviest and used to support the whole cake.
Q: Do you cater for special diets?
A: Yes. Plese ask and I will do my best to accomodate your request.
Cake decorations
Q: What types of decorations do you do?
A: I create wedding cakes ranging from traditional designs to modern, contemporary and elegant.
I am proficient in many of the modern trends, making my own sugar flowers, edible paper flowers and wire jewellery. I can replicate the bridal couple in sugar or create a novelty scene to match a hobby.
Q: Are the decorations edible?
A: All my decorations are mainly crafted using edible sugarpaste and flowerpaste. however, there may be dowels or wires inserted in the cake, so I advise not to eat any decorations without checking and remove the non edible portions.
Q: My mother would like to bake the cakes. Would you do the decorations only?
A: Yes. I will ice and decorate the cake for you. This depends on the suitability of the cakes. I will have to consider each situation individually. Please ask.
Q: Do you use fresh flowers on your cakes?
A: I will use whatever type of flowers you want on your cake subject to availability and suitability. For fresh flowers, I will liaise with your florist for the provision of these (please note there will be an additional cost for fresh flowers).
You have a choice of using fresh flowers, silk/fabric/foam flowers, sugarpaste or chocolate flowers, edible paper flowers or wire jewellery.
Q: Can I keep the flowers/toppers and cake jewellery?
A: Yes. All the decorations from your wedding cake are yours to keep. Sugarpaste flowers and cake toppers will last for years if kept in a dry environment away from too much moisture or direct sunlight.
Cake stands and/or separators will have to be returned.
Delivery and setup
Q: Will you deliver my cake to my wedding venue? A: Yes, subject to availability. I will deliver your cake and set it up at your venue. Please see the Terms and Conditions page for further details.
Q: Can I collect my cake?
A: Yes. You can collect your wedding cake by prior arrangement. Your cake can be collected a day or two before the celebration. I will pack your cake ready for transport. Please note that once a cake is collected, I will no longer be responsible for it.
Q: How much do you charge for delivery?
A: Delivery of wedding cakes and celebration cakes costing over £125 is free within a 10 mile radius of my home address of Woolston (Warrington).
If your cake costs less than £125 or you live further away, delivery will be @ 40p per mile (the first 10 miles will be free of course).
Q: Do you supply cake bases and knives?
A: I do not supply these, however most venues will provide them free of charge. Contact your wedding venue to arrange this.
Ordering and payment
A: You can order your cake over the phone, by email or through a personal consultation with me. Please see the Contact us page for further details.
Q: How much advance notice do you need?
A: I recommend ordering your wedding cake as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You can order your cake from 6 months before the wedding day.
Celebration cakes must be ordered at least 2 weeks before the date required.
I will accept emergency orders, subject to my availability.
Q: How do I pay you?
A: You may pay me either by cash or cheque (payable to R Conlon).
Please send cheques to the following address: 51 Gig Lane, Woolston, Warrington WA1 4EE
For wedding cakes, a non refundable deposit of 20% of the cost of the cake is required. This is to secure your order. The balance payment is payable 4 weeks before the wedding date.
For celebration cakes, there is an initial payment of £25. The balance amount is to be paid at the time of collection of the cake.
I will calculate any applicable mileage cost and add that to the cost of the cake. I will inform you of the total cost before you order your cake.
Q: I wish to cancel my order. Do I still have to pay you?
A: If you cancel your order, all work completed by me is chargeable and unfortunately you would have to pay for this work.