How long have you been making Wedding Cakes?
My first Wedding Cake was for my sister in 1991. I have a City and Guilds Qualification in Sugarcraft and have been teaching Cake Decorating for Huddersfield Technical College Adult Education since 1995. I gained experience, making cakes for friends and family, while raising my four children. In 2000 I formed Truly Scrumptious Cakes and have never looked back. My business has steadily built over the years and many of my commissions are personal recommendations from satisfied clients.

Do you have a shop?
No, I work from a small studio in Wortley, near Penistone. The building has been converted specifically for my requirements into a working kitchen. It offers me an ideal working environment and flexibility. I live with my family in Holmfirth, which explains the Huddersfield evening telephone number.

How soon do I need to order my cake?
It really depends on the time of year you are getting married. The most popular time for weddings is still the summer, although the last few years have shown a trend towards the autumn too. Bank Holiday weekends are another popular time. If you plan to marry during the summer then it's best to book around six months in advance. Other times of the year are not as busy so two to three months would be fine.

What is a provisional booking?
If you are undecided about the cake you want, but know you want me to make it, I am happy to take a provisional booking. This means that I can reserve the date of your wedding for you until you are ready to book. Once a provisional booking has been made I will wait to hear from you. However, if I haven't heard from you for some time and another bride and groom wish to book me for the same date, I will contact you then to confirm your position.

We are ready to book - what now?
We need to arrange a consultation. This can take place at my studio in Wortley or I am happy to visit you at home. I am available for consultations by appointment only and if a weekday doesn't suit you because of work commitments I am also available Thursdays until 8pm and Saturdays (deliveries permitting).

What will happen at the consultation?
First of all we need to decide on the flavour of cake you would like. If you haven't seen me at a Wedding Fayre and had chance to sample the different cakes, then samples will be available for you to try. We will then move on to the style of the cake and you will be given albums and magazines to look at for inspiration. I will watch carefully for the styles of cake you are drawn to and then make suggestions for a design for you. Once you are happy with the design of your cake I will make out an order and ask you for a £100 deposit (cheque or cash). You will be given a receipt for your deposit and a confirmation of your order.

Do I need to bring anything with me to the consultation?
Yes please. It is always useful for me to have as much information as possible about your wedding. Fabric swatches in your chosen colours, details of your flowers and magazine cuttings of cakes you like, for example. If you are keeping to a fixed budget it is helpful for me to know, so we can keep to it. If you have no idea what you want, don't worry - just bring an open mind.

What flavours of cake can we have?
There are several to choose from. A rum-soaked rich fruitcake is the traditional choice. Many couples now prefer a selection of cakes - sometimes even a different flavour in each tier. Alternatives are a Genoese sponge (filled with jam or lemon curd and buttercream), chocolate Genoese sponge (filled with chocolate fudge or chocolate buttercream) or carrot cake (filled with a lemon buttercream). If you have another favourite, please ask. All the chocolate wedding cakes are made with the finest quality Belgian chocolate.

Can I have a stacked cake if I want sponge - won't it sink?
Yes you can have a stacked cake - no it won't sink. Each cake is carefully constructed with sterilised plastic dowels inserted into the base cakes to support the cakes above. This is true of all cakes other than those displayed separately on step stands.

We're having a large wedding - do we have to have a huge cake?
Not at all. I would prefer you to have the cake you want than the cake you think you need. If you do require extra portions I can provide you with a cutting cake. This is a square cake, which is top-iced only (sponge cutting cakes have the filling too) and is kept in the kitchen of your reception to be served with the rest of your cake. No one will know the difference!

Will you deliver our cake to the reception?
Yes, in most cases. Delivery is included in the price to most areas of Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield and Huddersfield. I will deliver a little beyond that area but may need to make a charge. For weddings over 50 miles away it will probably not be possible for me to deliver. However, I will ensure that your wedding cake is securely packed and will give instruction on how to assemble if required.

What about stand hire?
Many hotels will offer a stand as part of your package. However, if it is not suitable for your wedding cake then I will provide you with one that is. Again there is no charge for this. I will require a deposit for the stand in the form of a cheque. This will be returned to you when the stand is returned to me after the wedding. Please ensure the stand is returned within five days from the wedding day so that it is available for other couples the week after.

What happens next?
At your consultation we will have arranged an appointment for you to view your cake before the big day. This can be anything from two weeks to two days before depending on the type of cake you have ordered. This is a chance to see your finished cake and when you pay the balance outstanding. Should you not be 100% satisfied with your cake then I will make whatever adjustments are necessary until you are. It is not in my interest, nor in my nature, to disappoint anyone.

I hope these FAQ's have been useful to you but if you have another question, please don't hesitate to get in touch by phone or email. Finally, I just want to say that should you choose me to make your wedding cake, I will do my utmost to ensure it is just what you dreamed it would be.