Q: When should I book my wedding cake?
A: Peak wedding season is April through October, with the majority of weddings occurring in June, July, August, September, and October. If your wedding date falls within the peak season, we suggest you book at least three to six months in advance of your date. If your wedding occurs in the off-season, two to three months is sufficient. But always check to see if there is still an opening there be a slight chance of a cancellation or adding something that is small or basic and easily done.

Q: Can I hold the date?
A: Yes. You can hold the date. You will need to fill out a contract and put down an estimated deposit, based on your guest count. When you have decided on a design and structure, you can come in and finalize with a consultant. The cake must be finalized and paid in 30 days prior to your date.

Q: How much cake should I order?
A: The real question you need to answer first is, are you serving your wedding cake as dessert, or, are you "wrapping" the cake for your guests to take home? If you are serving cake as dessert, you will need a piece of cake for every person attending, whether they eat cake or not. This is due to the fact that most banquet halls do not ask your guests if they want cake. They simply cut up the cake and pass it out to every place setting. If you are "wrapping" the cake, you do not need to have a piece for every person. Guests will usually take a piece with them as they are leaving the reception. It is up to you how much cake to order. We suggest you order for at least 2/3 of your guests. You won't have a final count of wedding guests until about one month prior to your wedding date. However, there is a formula for estimating what your actual count is likely to be: take 20% off the total amount of people you are inviting; for example, if you are inviting 200 people total, 200 x .20 = 40, 200 - 40 = 160 people. We suggest that you only order what you think you will need. We will be happy to add "extra servings" to accommodate any guest overages, but we will not "change down" a cake structure once it has been booked.

Q: Is the top tier included in my servings?
A: No. the top tier is complimentary to the Bride and Groom. However, you may serve all of your cake and we will give you a complimentary, fresh, 6" tier on your one-year anniversary. It will be the same cake flavor and filling as your wedding cake. No dried-out, freezer burned cake on your first anniversary. Just call us one week prior to your anniversary to order your cake and you can pick it up on the day you specify.

Q: What is fondant?
A: Fondant is a special type of icing, similar in texture to pastry dough. It is rolled out in a large sheet and laid over the tier of cake. Before we put on the fondant, the cake itself is crumb-coated in our buttercream to prevent moisture loss. So, you will get the taste of our buttercream, even if you order a cake with fondant icing. Because of the labor involved and cost of the ingredients, fondant prices begin at an additional cost per serving.

Q: Are there different prices for any of the cake flavors?
A: Yes. Yellow, White, Chocolate, Marble, are our standard cake flavors. Others are .25 more per slice Chocolate, Orange Almond, Almond, Strawberry, Pineapple. Some other specialty flavors are more such as Carrot Cake.

Q: What about fillings? Are some fillings extra?
A: Raspberry, Strawberry, Vanilla, Lemon, and Pineapple - $4.00 per layer
Mousse flavors $8.00 per layer
Ganache with chocolate mousse filling - $15.00 per layer.

Q: Can I get cheesecake as a wedding cake?
A: Yes, in certain situations. Cheesecakes can only be displayed for about an hour, and must be cut up and served immediately. You should definitely not "wrap" cheesecake. Cheesecakes can be displayed plain or iced in buttercream, and really are best when displayed as a free-form structure.

Q: Can I display my cake outside?
A: Not a good idea. However, it can be done at your own risk. Besides the danger of the buttercream melting (temperatures above 80*), you stand the chance of drawing insects. Bees and flies like our buttercream, too. If you must display your cake outside, we recommend fondant icing.

Q: Do you provide fresh flowers, or does my florist?
A: We're really flexible as far as flowers go. It's really up to you and your budget as to what you should choose. If choosing the Florist - they will have the widest selection if you want a variety of flowers, or if you want to exactly match the flowers you are already getting from them. If choosing Parke Place Bake Shop - if you want us to buy and arrange your flowers, we will be happy to do that. We're usually the best choice if you want only one or two types of flowers, such as roses with baby's breath. Ask for a quote. If you supply flowers - this is the least expensive way to go, but you will need to bring us the flowers the day before, or the day of your wedding. We will probably charge an arranging fee of $20.00.

Q: Who puts the flowers on my cake?
A: If you are using a florist for the flowers on your cake, you should ask them what they prefer to do, or if their schedule will allow them to arrange the flowers on the cake. Some florists like to put flowers on the cake, others do not. At no charge, we will put a florist's pre-arranged flowers on the cake. However, if loose flowers are ordered through your florist, you need to communicate very clearly to the florist and Parke Place Bake Shop whom is responsible for arranging your loose flowers. We may charge a small arranging fee for the arrangement of loose flowers. If Parke Place Bake Shop is providing your flowers, we will be arranging the flowers on the cake. If you provide the flowers, we will arrange them for nominal arranging fee. Also keep in mind that some flowers require water in the container and there must be special handling of water around the cake. Don't want to have a dripping cake.

Q: How far away do you deliver?
A: We deliver in the Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, Northern Virginia and some parts of Pennsylvania. Fees to certain locations may require a premium (e.g., high security military sites, historic sites, residences). Requests for deliveries later than 4:00 p.m. are subject to a surcharge.

Q: Is there a delivery charge?
A: Yes. The delivery charge not only covers our time and fuel costs, but set-up as well. Some cakes requiring elaborate set-ups may be subject to an increased set-up and delivery charge. Prices range from $25.00 for local deliveries to $150.00. Fees to certain locations may require a premium (e.g., high security military sites, historic sites, residences). Requests for deliveries later than 4:00 p.m. are subject to a surcharge.

Q: How do I make my payment(s)?
A: 25% of the final total is required at the time of booking and can be in the form of cash, check, or credit card. This deposit is non-refundable. Final payments are due 14 days before your wedding date. You may pay by any of the methods listed above, but will not accept checks after the due date.

Q: Do you supply cake bags?
A: No. However, we can arrange to get cake bags for you. If you are "wrapping" your cake, you should consider getting cake bags. If you are serving all of your cake, you shouldn't need them.