How to Begin Your Cake Quest
By Mara Severin

So you feel daring. You're ready to begin the search for the perfect cake - a cake that really represents you. So, how do you begin this daunting task?

First, you should decide upon the mood and motif that you wish your wedding to reflect. For some brides, it's simple if they've already determined an actual theme. (The designers we spoke to have created cakes for themes as wide-ranging as Renaissance, Mardi Gras and Halloween.) You can reflect that tone of your wedding: Will it be subdued and elegant, fun and bright, or outdoors and casual? Knowing this at the beginning can help you and your designer come up with the ideal cake.

"We're amazed at how little people know about what is available to them," says Jeryll Luper of Creative Cakes by Jeryll in Anchorage. "It's like fashion," says Lora Mahaffey of Calliope Designs in Anchorage. "Styles change, trends change, and a good cake designer will be on top of those changes."

Today's couple can be original, Luper says. "Today's couple can let the cake reflect who they are."

Second, seek out inspiration for your cake design. You might consider taking your cue from a particular historical era that attracts you. Mahaffey recently created a cake for a bride with a deep fascination for the Victorian era. With a background in fine arts, Mahaffey turned to her art books and found an example of beautiful Victorian wrought iron work which she incorporated into the cake.

Some local brides turn to the great Alaska outdoors for enlightenment. Need a cake with fondant mountains and edible spruce trees? No problem, say the experts.

Third, remember that you must be comfortable with your designer and feel that she understands your wishes. "There are lots of cake artists in Anchorage and we're all different," says Luper. Most, she says, will not hesitate to refer brides to other designers if they think it would be a better match. "I want the bride to be comfortable," agrees Mahaffey. "If we don't click then the bride ultimately will be disappointed." And that's not good for the bride or the designer, she says.

Check out our list of Alaska's top cake designers.

Want more great ideas and advice? Pick up a copy of Alaska Bride & Groom on newsstands now. Alaska Bride & Groom is your complete Alaska wedding guide.