How to transport a wedding cake?

Looking for how to transport the wedding cake? So you decided to carry your wedding cake yourself. You made it or had it made, and now you want to transport it to the reception hall.

This isn’t as simple as taking a casserole dish out of the oven and putting it into your car for a short drive across town. How you handle your cake can make or break its freshness and presentation.

Here are a few tips to ensure that your cake gets there in tip-top shape.

Let’s learn how to transport a wedding cake

Remove the cake from its base if it has one. The last thing you want is for the cake to slide around on the seat of your car, or worse yet, cause an accident because it flew off of the seat onto your friend sitting in the front passenger seat.

Find two sturdy boxes about three inches larger in all dimensions than your largest tier; line them with white cotton batting or sheets cut into large pieces; use tape to hold them in place (cardboard works, too). Place the first cardboard box on its end and put one of the wrapped tiers inside it. Using heavy-duty foil for strength and insulation, cover the top and bottom outside of the box; make sure there are no gaps between foil and box.

Repeat with the next tier and remaining boxes, ending with the top tier.

Use cushion when transporting a wedding cake

Place the wrapped set of boxes into another large box or on a cart; cushion with white cotton batting (cardboard also works) and tie (with ribbon, if possible) all four sides to keep them intact. Fill in around the cake-filled box(es) with crumpled paper or plastic bags.

Use an unwaxed plastic sheet

If the cake is sitting on a sheet of wax paper, remove it and replace it with an unwaxed plastic sheet such as a garbage bag or a shower cap. Be sure that you use something that will be sturdy enough to support the weight of your cake without tearing. You can feed the ribbon through the handle of your bag to help you pull it out of the car.

Use cake box

Use a cake box that is large enough to hold the entire cake, or for smaller cakes, use two or more boxes just slightly larger than the size of your cake and stack them together. Boxes made from corrugated cardboard are sturdy and reusable.

Use Cake boards

Cake boards (the platters that the cake is served on) can also be used in place of boxes if you don’t mind tearing them up in case of an accident. Just remember that when transporting your cake with boards, it is best to use bubble wrap or foam sheets to cushion the bottom board and prevent movement.

Moving blankets are specially designed for moving; they are sticky on one side and have a small, netted opening. If you cannot find moving blankets at your local hardware store, try searching for “moving blankets” on the Internet. They are inexpensive, reusable, easy to use, and can be cut down to any size. However, if there is no room in your budget to purchase these items, you can go to your local fabric store and purchase a yard of flannel. Flannel is usually the cheapest fabric.

Work with your cake decorator to determine how much coverage it will need. That way, you will know exactly how much bubble wrap or foam sheeting you’ll need for top and bottom covers. Be sure that all bedding and covering are wrapped and secured tightly around the cake. Nothing can ruin a fresh, gorgeous wedding cake-like smashes and cracks.

What if the cake breaks accidentally?

If you discover that you have accidentally broken the cake, don’t panic. You may be able to cover up any breaks or chips with your frosting (just make sure not to add too much icing). The only way to really cover up the break is with decorations. If you want to hide a crack, keep flowers or other decorations small and low. Put them around the edge of the cake.

It’s also possible for your frosting to get smudged during transportation if it comes in contact with moving blankets or bubble wrap. You can prevent this by covering the cake with plastic wrap before you cover it with moving blankets or bubble wrap.

Again, be sure that your cake is completely covered for its trip to your destination. Secure all of the bedding at least two inches below the bottom edge of the container to prevent any weight on top from flattening out icing. To make sure that everything is set, place your cake on a flat surface and press down with moderate force. If the icing is not as sturdy as it should be, put another layer of moving blankets or bubble wrap underneath.

How to transport a wedding cake to an outdoor wedding

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding and want to serve your cake outdoors, find out how long your cake can be left outside before it starts to melt. Many wedding cakes cannot survive in hot or humid temperatures for longer than an hour or two. If you are having a long reception, ask your caterer to set up the cake inside and then bring it out just before serving time.

When you get to your destination, check every single item that you brought with you. That way, if anything is broken or cracked, you’ll know right away.

If you are delivering your own cake, here are some helpful reminders: An inch of icing thickness is equivalent to between 30 and 60 minutes of refrigeration time. An extra half hour of refrigeration can give the cake more support for moving. Try not to leave the cake out in temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours

It’s always a good idea to take along someone who can assist you with transporting the cake or help you set it up, especially if it’s your first time delivering one. If this isn’t an option, make sure that someone is at your destination ahead of time and ready to receive the cake as soon as you arrive.

If you have any concerns about how your cake will get from point A to point B, check with your caterer or baker to see what they recommend.

Related posts

• When do you cut the cake at a wedding?
• How many months to choose a wedding cake?