When should I order my cake?

 As a general rule we suggest you book two to six months in advance for a wedding cake and one month for a celebration cake, but we can often accommodate last minute orders.  Please email prettypartycakes@yahoo.co.nz or telephone (09) 950 4325 to schedule an appointment.

Do you bake from scratch?

We believe that the quality of your cake on the inside should match the beauty of your cake on the outside so we make all of our cakes and fillings from scratch.  The only exception to this rule is with the preserves we use.  We buy these pre-made to assure easy access when fruits may not be in season.

Can you accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions?

No.  While many of our recipes do not contain nuts, they are prepared in a kitchen where nuts have been used.  If you have a severe nut allergy we cannot guarantee that your cake will not have traces of nuts in it.  At this time we do not prepare cakes without dairy, sugar, or eggs as these ingredients are essential to the chemistry of baking. 

Do you ship your cakes?

No.  Since your cake cannot be guaranteed to arrive in one piece, our cakes are not available to be shipped. 

Do you offer tastings?

Yes.  You may schedule a tasting with us when you call to book your wedding consultation.  There is a $50.00 fee for the tasting that will be subtracted from your total order should you choose to book with us.  When you come in you will be able to sample a variety of our cake and filling options to mix and match.  Tastings are offered for cakes with over 100 servings.  If you require a tasting for a smaller cake you are welcome to order a sampler for $30.00 or $50.00 for fruit cakes, which will not be subtracted from your total order.  We will hold your date until your tasting, but after that your date will be considered open until we receive your retainer.

What about mini cakes?

Mini versions of beautiful cakes are a wonderful addition to any occasion.  They are a little present for each of your guests.  As beautiful as they are, they are a labour intensive undertaking to create.  Rather than one large cake, we have to assemble and decorate multiple little cakes with decorations that are much smaller and more tedious to create than their larger counterparts.  Due to all of the extra labour involved mini cakes start at $15.00 per cake with a minimum order of 10 cakes.

Do you deliver?

Yes.  However you will be charged a delivery fee which is outlined in our client contract. 

Do you provide fresh flowers to decorate my cake?

No.  Any flowers that you want placed on your cake will need to be ordered from your florist and delivered to your event location.  It is a good idea to inquire with your florist about the flowers you are using on your cake.  Most flowers are grown with pesticides and many varieties of flowers are actually toxic to humans (the calla lily and hydrangea are great examples of beautiful, yet toxic flowers) and many people are allergic to flowers as well.  It is a good idea to, at the very least, have organically grown flowers when you are placing them on or around your cake.  The best option would be to have your flowers created from edible gumpaste to assure that there will be no ill effects from your cake's decor.

What is your payment policy?

We require a retainer equal to 50% of your estimated cake cost at the time of your booking to secure your date.  The remainder of your payment is due four weeks before your event date.  If you book your cake with less than four weeks to spare, full payment in cash is due upon ordering.

What happens if I have to reschedule my event?

If you must change your event date we will try our best to accommodate you but we cannot guarantee we will have your new date open.  Our cancellation policy is outlined in our client contract and will be explained to you at your booking.

Isn’t it cheaper to get a fake display cake and serve sheet cakes?

No.  Styrofoam “dummy cakes” cost just as much as the raw ingredients for a baked cake.  The bulk of the cost of your cake is in the decorating and that costs the same no matter what it is on.  Then you will be paying for the kitchen cakes which cost about the same amount as a tiered wedding cake.  You will end up paying more for a display cake and kitchen cakes than you would if you ordered the appropriate servings of wedding cake.

Can we have more than one cake flavour in our cake or does it have to all be the same?

Please feel free to choose any cake and filling combination you desire.  We do not limit you to one flavour for your whole cake.  If you have multiple flavours in your cake, you may want to order more servings since your guests may be inclined to sample more than one flavour.