It probably takes simultaneously longer and shorter than you think!
The actual cake making is pretty fast – I’m rather a whiz with a sponge cake by now – but the overall process can take months!
The wedding cake timeline
Let me tell you – there’s a lot more to making a wedding cake than just baking and decorating! From the first consultation to the final setup, here’s what’s involved:
Consultation & tasting (12-18 months before)
For context, I’m already taking 2026 wedding cake bookings. Ideally you’d have booked your wedding date 12-18 months before, but we can finalise the design closer to the time.
Wedding cake preparation (1-2 months before)
The magic starts well before your wedding day. For fruit cakes, I start even earlier – these beauties need feeding with alcohol for at least 2 months to develop that gorgeous rich flavour!
First up, I’ll:
• Order any special ingredients
• Liaise with your other suppliers – the venue and florist as needed
• Plan the baking schedule
• Check all equipment is wedding-ready
The week before your wedding
This is when things get really exciting in my Irlam bakery! Here’s what happens:
5-7 days before
• Begin creating sugar decorations that need time to dry
• Make any special fillings or flavoured syrups
• Double-check all decorative elements are perfect
2-3 days before
• Bake your cake tiers
• Allow them to cool completely
• Level and tort (split) each tier
• Add your chosen fillings
• Crumb coat with buttercream
• Cover in a luxury chocolate ganache
The final countdown (1 day before)
• Now it’s all about those finishing touches:
• Cover tiers with fondant or final buttercream coat
• Add textures or patterns
• Attach decorations
• Add any final details
On your wedding day
I always allow plenty of time for:
• Careful transport to your venue
• Setting up your cake display
• Adding fresh flowers (if used)
• Final checks and photos
• Liaising with your venue team
Frequently asked questions
When should I book my wedding cake?
For summer weddings in Manchester, Cheshire or Lancashire, I recommend booking 12-18 months ahead. This gives us plenty of time to plan your perfect cake!
Can I have fresh flowers on my cake?
Absolutely! I work with local florists, or will work with your wedding florist and can add fresh flowers on the morning of your wedding.
What if I need my cake on a Sunday?
No problem at all! I only take one cake order every weekend, so if you want your cake on a Saturday or a Sunday, it’s fine!
Ready to start planning your wedding cake?
Ready to start planning your dream wedding cake? I’d love to hear all about your ideas!
Book your consultation now
About Cakes by P
Here at Cakes by P, we’ve been crafting beautiful wedding cakes in our Irlam bakery since 2015. Our passionate team, led by master baker Paula, combines traditional expertise with contemporary design to create truly spectacular wedding cakes. Let’s get the kettle on and start planning something wonderful together!