Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average wedding cake cost?
Most bakeries charge by the slice. If you need 100 servings, the price will be 100 times the price per slice. The starting price for wedding cakes is $1.60 per serving. So 100 servings would be $160.00 plus tax, etc. This amount could vary some depending on the size of cake you want and the pan size etc. In order for the cake to be proportioned correctly, you may need to increase or decrease the number of servings. There is an additional charge for complicated designs, large cakes, special flavors, fillings, fondant icing, ribbons, strings, fondant swags, beads, gumpaste or royal icing flowers etc. Square, heart or hexagon cakes start at $1.70 per serving
Do you Offer Budget Priced Wedding Cakes?
We do have certain styles of wedding cakes available for a reduced price. The wedding cake would be one that anyone could set up easily themselves with certain types of stands, etc. It would be picked up here at the shop and you would set it up yourself at the reception site. Call for more details.
What are your hours of operation?
McIntosh Bakery is a homebased business. Because of this we are open by appointment only. Call us at 573-769-4952 to make an appointment.
Are you a licensed business?
Yes! We are licensed by the city of Palmyra and the Marion county health department.
Can each tier be a different flavor?
Yes, each tier can be a different flavor. McIntosh Bakery allows 1 flavor for every 100 servings, anything over that has an additional charge of $10 per flavor.
Do you charge for delivery?
There is no charge for delivery in the city limits of Palmyra. There is a delivery charge of $20 to Hannibal and $25 to Quincy. The delivery charge for other locations depends on the distance from my shop.
Do you require a deposit to reserve the wedding date?
Yes, we require a $50 deposit to hold the date. We require payment of the remaining balance 3 weeks prior to the wedding date.
When do we need to book you and how soon does your calendar fill with wedding dates?
You can book us for your wedding a year or more in advance. Most people book 3 to 6 months in advance, but it is always good to make sure all your vendors are available and you have reserved space for your event prior to booking. We are limited as to the number of orders we can take per weekend. We try our best to never turn anyone away, but some of the most desirable dates are reserved early. May, June, September and October seem to be the most popular months for weddings.
What if we don't know the number of people who will attend?
We use your best guess to calculate the amount needed. This can be adjusted either up or down when the final payment is due. The actual wedding cake can be adjusted or double layer sheets can be added if necessary for extra servings. The actual number of servings will vary and depends on the server's skill at cutting the cake and the desired size of each slice.
Who does the flowers on the cake and table?
Your florist will be able to help you choose the appropriate flowers and foliage. If you are using fresh flowers on your cake, the florist is responsible for the flowers and making sure that they are safe to place on an edible cake. We can coordinate times and delivery with them as needed.
How much do you charge to rent your equipment?
We have several different stands and fountains available for rent. The rental fee varies with each stand. Other items have no rental fee. A security deposit is required for all set up material according to its retail value. Items must be returned clean and in good condition within 5 days of the wedding. The security deposit will be refunded at this time. There is a $5 per day late fee after this date.
Can you make a cake from a picture I saw in a magazine or on the internet?
We will try our best to duplicate the design, but there is no guarantee that I will be able to make an exact copy. Please bring any pictures or ideas with you to your consultation and I'll see what I can do. The colors, flowers, cake sizes, decorating styles, etc. of almost any cake photo can be changed to fit your needs.
We don't like cake, what are the options available for us?
We can do more than the traditional cake. Dessert buffets which could include - cheesecake, brownies, cookies, pie or whatever you'd like. We can do a small centerpiece cake for the cutting ceremony to go along with your selections.
Do people really save their top cake for their 1st anniversary?
Probably between 60 and 70 % of people still follow this tradition. I have had several brides report back to me that their 1 year old anniversary cake was still delicious, so it's up to you.
If you would like to save the anniversary tier, here's how to handle the cake.
Put the unwrapped cake in the freezer for several hours or overnite to firm up the icing. The board that the cake is sitting on might be one that would need to be returned to me, depending on the design of the cake. The top cake is always on it's own cardboard so if necessary, remove it from the one to be returned while it's frozen. Then you can wrap it with several layers of plastic wrap or foil and place it in a box, or what works really well is to place the cake on a lid from gallon ice cream container, and then put the bucket on top and place back in the freezer.
