When Should You Book Your Wedding Cake? A Simple Timeline for UK Couples
- Primrose Cakes
- May 1
- 3 min read
Planning your wedding comes with a long list of decisions, and your cake isn’t always at the top of that list straight away.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a real shift in when couples are booking their wedding cakes. What used to be something couples secured 12–18 months in advance is now often much closer to the wedding - typically anywhere between 3 and 12 months, with around 6 months being the average.
So, when should you book your wedding cake? Let me guide you through it.
My Honest Advice: When to Book Your Wedding Cake
If you’re planning your wedding, I would recommend:
Minimum: 6 months before your wedding
Ideally: 9–12 months before your wedding
This gives you enough time to enjoy the process, explore your options, and create something that fits your day, without feeling rushed.
What Happens After You Book?
A lot of couples are surprised to learn that designing a wedding cake isn’t just something that happens in the final week before the wedding.
There’s a full process behind it, and giving yourself time makes all the difference.
Here’s what that typically looks like when you book with me:
9–12 months before
Once you’ve secured your date with a £150 booking fee, your wedding cake is officially in my diary.
You’ll then have the opportunity to order one of my cake sample boxes (available February, May, August and November), so you can enjoy tasting your flavours at home.
8–6 months before
We’ll schedule your design consultation.
This is the ideal time to chat through your cake design - especially once you’ve started making decisions on:
Flowers
Colour scheme
Overall styling
After this, I’ll create a cake sketch and we’ll refine everything together.
5–2 months before
This is where everything gets finalised.
50% balance is due at 5 months
Final balance is due 2 months before
By this point, your design, flavours, and all details are confirmed.
I’ll also be in touch with your florist around this time to coordinate any fresh flowers for your cake.
Wedding Week
This is when I’m focused on bringing everything together behind the scenes.
I’ll be:
Preparing and decorating your cake
Coordinating delivery times with your venue
Planning set-up so everything looks just right
On the day itself, I personally deliver and set up your cake, working around your venue timings and making sure everything is in place without disrupting your day.
What If You Leave It Too Late?
I completely understand how cake can slip down the priority list - especially when you’re juggling so many other decisions.
But leaving it too late can limit your options more than couples realise.
Here’s what can happen:
Limited availability - I can’t always take on multiple weddings for the same date or week, especially during peak season (April–September).
Fewer design options - Bespoke designs take time to plan, source and create - particularly if they include sugar flowers or detailed elements.
Reduced consultation time - During busy periods, appointment availability can be more limited.
Fewer flavour options - If your timing doesn’t fit in with my sample box schedule, you may have a smaller selection of flavours to choose from.
Logistical constraints - Each wedding requires planning around venue access, delivery timings, and coordination with other suppliers - this isn’t something that can always be rushed.
A Quick Note on Last Minute Bookings
I have taken on last-minute bookings before - sometimes as close as 3 months before the wedding.
This usually works best when:
The design is simpler or part of a package
There’s flexibility with flavours
I have the capacity that week
Occasionally, couples come to me after another cake maker has had to cancel, and if I can help, I absolutely will. But it does depend on availability and the level of detail involved.
What Couples Often Don’t Realise
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a wedding cake is simply baked and decorated in the week leading up to the wedding.
In reality, there’s so much more involved:
Design planning and sketching
Coordinating with florists and other suppliers
Ordering any bespoke elements or decorations
Managing multiple weddings alongside each other
Giving yourself time means every part of that process can be done properly - and without stress.
In short...
Your wedding cake should feel like a seamless part of your day - not something rushed or squeezed in at the last minute.
If you’re currently planning your wedding, my advice would be:
Once your venue and date are secured, it’s a good time to start looking into your cake.
That way, you can enjoy the process, have more choice, and create something that you really want.
Ready to Start Planning Your Cake?
If you’re getting married in Suffolk, Essex or Norfolk and would like to chat about your wedding cake, you’re very welcome to:
Best wishes,
Krissy
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