QandA

Cake Dots have tried to check the price per serving of many bakers and bakeries around the Columbus and Franklin County area and have failed. However, we do not feel comfortable raising our price to what some bakers charge, especially not $4.25, $4.50, $5.00, $7.00 or anything else even though it would help with our ever-increasing expenses. We have NOT raised our price since 2004! In fact, we have actually LOWERED our price per serving because of the gloom and doom economy!! We bet there isn't another baker who can say that. Soooo, in place of raising our prices, we are tightening our belt (which is REALLY a challenge for Cake Dot ) and continuing our sale to help our brides and grooms.

THIS IS IMPORTANT STUFF: Cake Dots understand that you are struggling with your $$'s just as much as we are, but it's YOUR wedding cake we are talking about. You DESERVE a beautiful wedding cake and we are trying to keep it affordable for you. We know you can certainly get more expensive cakes but that does not guarantee they taste better or are prettier. You can also get cheaper cakes but you need to be careful on what products are being used to make them cheaper. Do they buy in bulk? How old is their product/supplies. Do they use fresh eggs or are they frozen? Do they use preservatives in their cakes. Remember: Cake Dots' cakes are homemade from beginning to end by Cake Dot and Tad only, using not only the best but the FRESHEST ingredients. We DO NOT buy anything in bulk at a cheaper price and we shop weekly to get you the freshest ingredients; we think that is what makes our cakes stand out far above the competition in taste and freshness (and don't forget the design ). This is how we got our Best of the KNOT and Martha Stewart's WeddingWire awards! We want our cakes to taste good, look good to eat and are pretty, pretty, pretty; the kind of cake you want to swipe a taste of icing when no one is looking. We want your guests to have the satisfying taste of good, home-baked "COMFORT" cake. We want your guests to ask, "Who made that delicious cake? Who made that gorgeous cake?" Yes, Cake Dots want it all! This is why we use the best ingredients and why our ingredients cost more than the average bear. Cake Dots promise that we will keep our present prices, continue to use the best ingredients, make the best cakes and do the prettiest work we can. How's that for a promise?

Fondant Oh Boy!! Fondant, fondant, fondant! We have delicious fondant and you will not be disappointed. Fondant covered cakes are becoming HOT due to all the TV programs and it seems that practically every single picture of a wedding cakes featured in magazines are fondant!! We at Cakes Dots are excited about fondant and have decided we'd like to do more fondant cakes. We hope you will decide to have Cake Dots make your wedding cake using fondant because there are so many wonderful designs going through our heads. Plus, we can "paint" on the fondant!!! Remember too, that our fabulous buttercream is under the fondant and this will give you a wonderful effect and taste delicious. Again, the design is usually included in the price unless you want something "far-out." And, of course, if you are using fondant you certainly wouldn't want to cover it with basketweave.

However, Cake Dots does try to schedule appointments to meet YOUR schedule, but please, please, please be considerate of our day off.

If you are from out of town, please tell us and we will try to accommodate you as best we can.

Please limit your guests to 1 or 2, thus making a total of 2 or 3 people counting yourself. As mentioned, Cake Dot bakes from her home and space and seating is very limited.

We like to have your BUSINESS CALLS during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.but we schedule appointments for consultations to meet your time-line whenever possible, even if that means having consultations after 4:30 p.m.

Who is Cake Dot and what is Cake Dot's? Cake Dot is Dot or Dottie and I like Dottie best. Dottie/Dot is the nickname for Dorothy. :) Working with me is my pride and joy, Tad. Tad is Tad and he has a wonderful gift of gab (I know, I am a poet and don't know it, lol. But honestly, Tad's gift of gab is definitely worse than mine).

CAKE "DOTS" is the business name which includes both "Cake Dot" and Tad.

Do you offer sample tastes of your cakes? Cake Dots does not always have every cake flavor, listed on their menu on hand, but we do offer several cake flavor samples for tasting at your consultation; these are cakes from recent weddings because we want you to taste what brides actually served to their guests. All the menu flavors are OUR recipes and have not been handed down. We worked hard to get the taste we like and know you will like too. We have tweaked and tweaked to get the flavors right. Also, we do not make "special tasting cakes" to impress you and then make a cheaper recipe for your wedding cake. What you taste is what you get!

Where is Cake Dots located? Cake Dots is a home business and located in South Columbus, easily accessible from Rt. 23/High Street and 270. Cake Dots REQUIRES an appointment -- please take heed to the words "Requires an appointment" since Cake Dot herself, not Tad, may have her hair up in rollers and goop all over her face -- it would not be a pretty sight!! Please don't "just pop in." "Popping in" is NOT a good thing.

Cake Dots is about 20 minutes from most locations around Columbus: Dublin, Hilliard, Gahanna, Westerville, Bexley, Reynoldsburg etc. Since Cake Dots is just off of 23 and 270, it is very easy to get here. And for those coming from Marysville, Powell and New Albany areas, it does take a touch longer but usually only one consultation is needed--it's not like you have to make a weekly trip to say "Hello." If you have questions, please call for help.

Also, Please click on the Map and Directions link for detailed directions.

How can I reserve my wedding date and can we make payments? It's easy as eating a piece of cake!!! Cake Dots require a $75 date-retainer fee which is non-refundable. Without the retainer fee, your date is not secure. The retainer fee is deducted from the total cost of the wedding cake. And yes, the balance, after the retainer fee is subtracted, can be, and preferred to be, made in two equal payments. The first payment is due 120 days before the wedding and the balance is due three weeks before the wedding. This usually is the preferred method of payment. Cake Dots found some bakers require a 50% deposit of the total cost upon booking. Yikes! Cake Dots brides and grooms are normal people with jobs and budgets, and kids and car payments etc. We try to help the best we can.

What is Buttercream Icing? Cake Dots buttercream icing is absolutely delicious and very smooth and used on all of her cakes, even those who want fondant (the buttercream is under the fondant). Cake Dots' buttercream is it not the overly sweet, gritty and sugary buttercream used by other bakers -- it is their own homemade recipe using the finest buttercream ingredients -- no Crisco is used. Please note, Cake Dots' buttercream icing is perfect for both warmer/hot months and cooler/cold months. No need to worry.

What is fondant? Cake Dots use the best fondant available. It is a malleable sugar dough and has a neutral, sweet taste. It can be used to make sugar flowers and many of the beautiful designs on your cake. Fondant is placed over Cake Dots buttercream-iced cake which gives your cake a beautiful porcelain-like finish and does not affect the overall flavor of your cake. Fondant can be plain, painted, embellished -- whatever your dream cake requires. And, like pie or pizza crust, you can choose to enjoy it or leave it.

What about cake plates/boards and other "special" equipment? Cake Dots wedding cakes are placed on a beautiful white or occasionally a foil-covered cake plate/board. There is a deposit required that is refundable upon return of the cake plates/boards and the structural pieces used to secure the cake, and please note, Cake Dots will cash the equipment check if the equipment is not returned.

This structural system works extremely well and does cost $$. Both Cake Dots and the brides are very happy with the system. We at Cake Dots continually research and do everything possible to make your wedding cake secure and beautiful and your wedding day perfect. Also, Cake Dots offers cake plateaus for you to use at no cost--Free!! Just let us know. There is, however, an additional and refundable deposit for the plateaus and other miscellaneous items needed if you want pillars, stairs, water fountains etc.

Again, if the cake plates/board and/or other structural and decorative equipment are returned to Cake Dots within one week of your event, your deposit check will be either returned to you or simply voided and shredded. Beyond that date and without special arrangements, the check is cashed --read my lips, if the equipment is not returned within one week (7 days -- max) the equipment deposit check will be cashed. Of course, if you make special arrangements with Cake Dots, we will happily extend that time period.

Are the cakes fresh? Ok. Is this a trick question? Maybe Cake Dots should say, " We have a stash of ready-made cakes sitting in our cupboards and when a bride places an order, we simply whip out the ready-made, 14-tier cake?" Yeah, right. That would certainly go over like a ton of bricks! Seriously though, Cake Dots' cakes are always baked fresh to your order. ALWAYS !!! Nothing is premade. We promise. What else can we say?

It's OK to make an APPOINTMENT and not call to reschedule or cancel WRONG Ralph!!! This will definitely place you on Cake Dots naughty list -- not a good thing. Cake Dots understand that when you make an appointment, something may come up and you cannot keep your scheduled commitment. PLEASE be courteous and call to reschedule or cancel. After all, Cake Dots schedules appointments that meet YOUR needs and times. Again though, please limit your guests to 1 or 2, thus making a total of 2 or 3 people counting yourself. And yes, we are repeating, Cake Dot bakes from her home and space and seating is extremely limited. Please be considerate; Cake Dots arrange their schedule and their family time to fit your needs, besides, Cake Dot has a secret life ! Sex Goddess.

Simple Cakes Are Less Expensive Than Elaborate Cakes No-no, no-no NO! There is one design that Cakes Dot does not like and that is no design. What fun is no design? How pretty can no design be? Ugh. In other words, you think that to stay within your budget you go for the cake with no design and the cleanest lines imaginable. Simple. A "I like simple cakes" person. Well, guess what? That might cost you. :) You might as well go all out and the reason is that cake artists are able to hide little goofs behind the Cornelli Lace, scrolls, swags, swirls, etc., and thumb/finger dents behind flowers, lol. Cake Dot's DH (darling husband) is good at making these. Your really simple cake with no design nor decoration has to be completely flawless -- something for which we cake artists might make you pay an arm and a leg, especially if we ice the cake on a Friday and have to remove it all on a Saturday to redo it!!! Grrrrrrrrrr. Plus travel is not kind to "no design cakes." Definitely another "grrrrrrrr" here.

What about the size of the wedding cake? Cake Dots has a minimum of 75 servings for small venues . This does not mean that if you have 300 guests you can get a teeny-tiny wedding cake and 15 million kitchen cakes. Sorry folks. Cake Dots love to create beautiful wedding cakes and not just kitchen cakes. (See Kitchen Cakes below.)

The serving size is based on the typical wedding-cake size served across the country - 1" x 2-1/2" x 4" high. And as for our work, we cannot emphasize enough how each cake must be done to the best of our ability and a work of art before we leave your reception site!

We try to be the best home cake bakers and proud that our cakes look like real food and are absolutely delicious. (Check out Cake Dots GUEST BOOK)

Now please note, you CAN get cheaper wedding cakes but you must realize that cheaper cakes most likely are made with cheaper ingredients (see Cake Dots description of Plugra Butter above), a "production line" attitude and assembly, carelessly put together and carelessly iced cakes which result in a cheap tasting and not so pretty result. Cake Dots take tremendous pride in the taste and look of our cakes. Silly tidbit: Cake Dot often wears a head band to keep her head from swelling with pride but has to watch for the cut-off of blood flow - that would not be good, lol.

Are you meeting with the person who will bake, decorate, and deliver the cake? Yes, yes, yes, yes YES!!! When you meet with Cake Dot or Tad, you are meeting the owners, the bakers and the decorators. We take the order. We bake the cake. We decorate the cake. We deliver and set up the cake. WHEW!!! -- 24/7 :) Cake Dots is not like a larger bakery where an order is passed from employee to employee; Cake Dot and Tad do it all. Love it.

What are your hours ? Phone calls are answered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. However, Cake Dots is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for consultations and sometimes when time permits, open for consultations on Thursday -- but NOT during the wedding season (June-September).

Thursday is for getting things ready for wedding cakes and Friday is decorating day; Saturday, of course are the weddings. So usually Thursday and definitely Friday and Saturday are too busy for consultations. Cake Dots hope that everyone understands that we can't ice a beautiful wedding cake with the telephone in one hand and meet with beautiful brides between strokes. :)

Sunday, of course, is our day off and is the only day Cake Dots can get caught up with their other chores and even then, the business of cake is still being done; inventory, ordering, washing cake pans that didn't get done in a timely manner etc. Actually, Cake Dots are busy 24/7.

See this little area here, the actual base is even smaller than this. This is NOT a cake topper. It is a beautiful figurine made by Enesco of a wedding couple and is not meant to be a cake topper. Some brides are using this and if you want to use it, please, please let Cake Dots know beforehand so we can take the right dowels etc. to prop it up and then camouflage, such as flowers, is needed to hide the ugly dowels.

See this part up here? There is nothing holding this part of the skirt up and it is HEAVY. Read my lips: H-E-A-V-Y. The figurine doesn't feel that heavy when you are holding it in your hot little hand, but when you put it on top of a small, iced cake, it decides it wants to lean and then fall and attract a lot of stressful attention, lol. This part of the skirt is the part that makes the figurine topple. Sure it looks pretty, but I must state again, be prepared to have dowels inserted here and then you need to have something to hide the dowels. As you can see, there is a fair amount of air space between the base of the figure and the portion of the flowing skirt.

Cake Dots realize we get a touch wordy in our descriptions and info above, plus we repeat a lot (Cake Dot's fault), but we want to give you as much information as possible.

The above subjects are just a few things you might want to consider, and although some may not concern you as much as others, or you may have a completely different set of concerns, always remember you are free, no extra charge, to ask whatever questions you have.

Cake Dots found the romantic meaning of flowers on the internet and thought they would share the following with you:

American Academy of Wedding Professionals™

White Carnation — remember me

Carnation — pure love

Daisies — share your feelings

Holly — domestic happiness

Honeysuckle — faithfulness

Ivy — fidelity

Purple lilac — first love

White lilac — innocence

Lilies — purity

Orange Blossom — fertility, happiness

Orchid — you are beautiful

Red Rose — I love you

White Rose — you’re heavenly

Red and White Roses together — unity

Violet — modesty

Here are some TIPS FROM CELEBRITY CAKE BAKER SYLVIA WEINSTOCK that Cake Dots found on the internet but can't remember where; of course, Cake Dots realize that Columbus is not New York and some of the following does not need to be followed to the letter. However, we hope the tidbits help you . . .

Excerpted from For the Bride by Deborah McCoy

It’s necessary to meet personally with the baker who will create the cake. Here's Sylvia Weinstock, that great celebrity cake baker’s, TIPS for success:

1. The size of the cake must relate to the size of the room: Tall ceilings, for example, require a tall cake. (Cake Dots 2¢ -- yessss, we agree with this and we can design you cake to be taller if you want -- see those last few words: if you want)

2. The size of the cake must relate to the bride’s size and the groom’s: If they’re small people, the cake should not overpower them. If they’re tall, the cake should be also. (Cake Dots 2¢ -- wellllll, we don't agree with the small people part but we do agree with the tall people part . . . We feel that if you want a large cake, you can have it, besides what if the room is gigantic!!!)

3. The cake must relate to its surroundings: If it's positioned in a formal, ornate room, the cake should be formal and ornate, too. If it's outdoors, surrounded by light and the beauty of colorful flowers, for example, the cake should also be colorful and vibrant. (Cake Dots 2¢ --yessss, this sounds like pretty good advice -- we agree )

4. The color of the cake must relate to room colors, not necessarily the bridal-party colors. Let's say your colors are hot-pink and white and the walls of the reception room are paisley, green, and purple. Would you want a fuchsia and white wedding cake? When in doubt, go white. (Cake Dots 2¢ -- Cake Dots wouldn't go so far to say THE CAKE MUST RELATE TO THE ROOM, and actually we have not thought of this before but it makes sense. Of course it's YOUR cake so you can do what you want)

5. Take reception time into consideration: If it’s a late-evening affair, serve a lighter cake, like lemon. If the reception is early afternoon, serve a heavier cake like chocolate. (Cake Dots 2¢ -- again, Cake Dots has learned something that you may want to consider; however, we feel you can choose any flavor your little heart desires and Cake Dot herself would choose Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate no matter what part of the day it is!)

Also, here at Cake Dots, we are constantly trying to out-do ourselves by making cakes that are not only beautiful but challenging and if you like, out-of-the-ordinary. Inspiration comes from everywhere including our wonderful brides. Each cake is individually designed to what you want and like. This is a good time to think FONDANT and tilted cakes!!!! Yes!! Cake Dots especially love tilted (mad-hatter, topsy-turvy etc. cakes).

Cake Dots wedding gallery cakes, designs and pictures The pictures in Cake Dots Wedding Cake Gallery are the cakes that we have done and we publish a picture of every single cake we make. We do this so the bride can share her picture with her friends and maybe recommend us to future brides. These pictures also allow you to get an idea of something you may want. You can change the shape of a particular cake to fit your style, you can change the design, you can mix the designs, you can change the color of the design, in other words you just use these as reference. If a cake in our gallery is four tier and you only need a three tier, no problem--it can be done. In fact, if you find a picture on our website, another website, in a book or magazine, please bring it to your consult and share with us; it helps us to design your cake. Remember, each wedding cake is tailored just for you and we hope you enjoy looking at our creations. We love to bake and decorate wedding cakes. Hmmmmm, have we told you that before??

Another little tidbit: Cake Dot has discovered "Amazing Wedding Cakes" on the WEtv Channel and has developed a severe case of "re-runitis" and watches rerun after rerun of the programs. We love it and maybe love it a touch more than Ace of Cakes. Cake Dot will even get up in the middle of the night to watch a rerun of those Amazing Wedding Cakes and finds something new each time. Her very favorite are Chicago Cake Girls and LA's Cake Divas and you would be amazed, as we were, of the similarities between them and us; especially encountering things we have never done before, "problems" and "special requests," plus, they seem to have as much fun as we do . . . We love every tiny little thing about cake decorating . . .

Speaking of Fondant above, here is a little tidbit: Cake Dots do beautiful fondant work so if you want a beautiful fondant covered wedding cake, ask!!

Cake Dots is a dedicated, died-in-the-wool, true fan of Charm City Cakes, aka, Ace of Cakes on the Foodtv network who do all of their cakes in fondant. And, even though we do our best at creating beautiful and one of a kind cakes, we are not Ace of Cakes but we think we are pretty good at creating -- considering we are home-grown. But you must keep in mind that "special order" sculpted, 2-D and 3-D cakes are a lot more work than you can imagine and we think our "special order" cake prices are pretty darn reasonable. As you know, there is a difference between Baltimore, MD prices and Columbus, OH prices and where Duff has a minimum price of $1,000 per cake, Cake Dots is definitely more reasonable for custom 2-D and 3-D party cakes. All of our cakes, as are Duff’s, are not just baked and slapped with icing, they are lovingly created.

BTW, while you are at it, check out Duff's fantastic website (Charm City Cakes) -- you will be amazed at what he and his staff can recreate. He and "they" are my heroes.

Now, Cake Dot's so-called commentary:

If you haven't been living under a rock, you know things are very tight

everywhere and it seems nothing is cheap -- they certainly don't make

penny candy anymore as you well know. However, we at Cake Dots are doing everything under the sun to keep our prices low without resorting to using cheap or cheaper ingredients, and believe us, it is a struggle at times but we are still in business and plan to stay in business for a long time to come, and we are still using the best of everything for our brides and grooms wedding cakes. Cake Dots know of three wedding cake bakers PLUS several venues who have either already gone out of business or are going out of business this year. The cost of supplies are high. We are desperately trying to petition a Wedding Cake Bail-Out or a Stimulus Package but it is tough going. Apparently other bail-outs and stimulus projects are more important. We can't even get a credit card bail-out in the works!! What a bummer.

Cake Dots is doing everything possible, including holding our breath and standing on our heads to keep the present price. If anything else goes up one more time though, you will be able to hear Cake Dot herself scream wherever you are -- this would definitely not be a good thing.

Take a minute to look at the cake pictures of other Columbus Area bakers. Are the pictures large enough that you can see them clearly? Are the wedding cakes neatly iced or do they look like a country dirt road? Are the tiers stacked straight or are they leaning? All these things count; now take a look at our wedding cake pictures and be sure to click to enlarge them. This is what Cake Dots do and we love doing it . . .

Please note that Cake Dots use only the very, very best ingredients in their buttercream icing (and in their cakes). An example is Plugrá Butter. Plugrá Butter is absolutely wonderful in buttercream icing and below is a description of Plugra butter:

BUTTER IN A CLASS BY ITSELF.

Plugrá Butter Defined.

Plugrá, (pronounced PLOO GRA), is a European style butter lower in moisture and higher in butterfat than conventional butters. Plugrá butter imparts a richer taste and smoother texture to foods and is long preferred by leading chefs, bakers, confectioners and anyone who appreciates fine food.

What's the Difference?

Regular butter contains 80% butterfat. The remaining 20% consists of water and milk solids. Plugrá European Style Butter contains 2% more butterfat and is slow-churned in a way that creates a lower-moisture, creamier texture than other butters.

Will you provide a Groom's Cake if we are getting our wedding cake elsewhere? You've got to be kidding!!! We have spent years building our reputation for great tasting and pretty cakes. Cake Dot feels if you didn't want us to make your wedding cake, why would you want us to make your Grooms cake? In other words, the answer is (tick-tock, tick-tock): NO. Not even a "maybe." Besides, what if the "other" cake baker made a terrible tasting or ugly cake, the guests might mistakenly think it was our's, so again, no way Hozay.

Lowered Price per serving!

Cake Dots is lowering our price from $3.95 per serving to $3.50 per serving to help our lovely brides and handsome grooms with their fabulous wedding day. Just give us a call to schedule a "free" consultation.*

In addition to our lower price and since the economy hasn't bounced back yet (plus there are upcoming holidays), Cake Dots is offering a 15% discount for weddings serving at least 100 guests that occur during November and December 2009, plus January and February 2010.

This is definitely a very limited discount.

Please peruse our website, read our FAQs below, and most importantly, check our wedding gallery pages for ideas.

Best wishes to everyone

*Cake Dots consults have always been FREE and we had to chuckle when we saw where one baker advertised, "free consultation -- a $100 value." WOW!! Cake Dots consults have been FREE since 2004!!! :)

11/04/09