Most importantly, there is always the aspect of cost to be considered. Being up-front with your baker regarding pricing is the best way to avoid misunderstandings or hidden cost surprises later.

• Is there a delivery or set-up fee?
• Are fresh flowers included in the cake price?
• Do certain icing or decoration treatments cost more?
• How are the cakes priced- by design, or by the serving?
• Are there rental or deposit fees for specialty cake stands or pillars?

Once your selection of a cake designer is made, allow yourself to dream. Today's cake trends are veering back towards the traditional with stacked layer cakes covered with elegantly smooth buttercream, accented by Cornelli lacework icing, or dotted Swiss, and sitting atop stately silver bases.

Always in style is basketweave icing d'cor available in varying widths and treatments. This is an especially great choice for outdoor spring or summer weddings accented with fresh florals.

For Fall, sugared fruit and autumn leaves are nicely showcased on square layers stacked neatly atop one another. And winter wedding cakes are sporting edible snowflakes, or white chocolate pine cones. As for flavors - the sky is the limit. Allow yourself to consider multiple flavor combinations showcased within the various tiers of your cake. Current popular favorites are lemon curd filling in fluffy white cake, or strawberry puree in a moist chocolate fudge cake. Carrot and spice cakes are making their way into many fall wedding cakes filled with cream cheese and nuts. And don't rule out cheesecake or even a cupcake tower.

All in all, your wedding cake should be a continuation of the theme and d'cor of your wedding as a whole, and it should taste as good as it looks. Thus, through making a wise and educated choice of cake designer, and allowing your imagination to run wild, this goal should be easily accomplished.