One of the most crucial parts of your wedding is the cake. It is, after all, the icing on top of a marvelous wedding. Here is what to look for when searching for the perfect cake for you.

Bakeries’ suggestions

• To be safe, lock down your vendors at least a year before your big day.

• Pinterest and Google are a great starting point to find the look you want.

• Provide input and feedback, as this is the only way to ensure you will get the product you envisioned.

Tips for you

• Delivery is important when finding a baker for you, especially if the bakery is out-of-state.

• The consultation is one of the most important aspects of picking out your cake. In this meeting you can lock down the look, flavors, frostings and fillings of your cake. Try to limit the amount of people you bring with you — the most important opinions are those of the bride and groom.

• The most crucial part of your cake is making sure it looks and tastes good. Don’t settle.

Diana Glidden, from Dutch Oven Bakery, stressed how important it is to reserve a date a year in advance, just because certain dates can be popular. Glidden said they are seeing fewer groom’s cakes (cakes that showcase the groom’s personality) than they did before.

Nancy Sheudt and Bettina Rater, of Hy-Vee in West Ames, said couples are not making as big of cakes as they used to. Most of their customers are getting a two-tier cake, the top to save for their anniversary and the second tier for their wedding party. Then they will bring out a sheet cake or cupcakes for the rest of the guests.

If you want to stay within a reasonable price,  a traditional cake is the way to go. It doesn’t have lots of bells and whistles but is still elegant.

“Their ideas and our ideas make a unique cake,” Sheudt said.

Although traditional cakes are nice, if you are looking for something that is easier to handle, cupcakes are for you. Tawnya Zerr, from Cupcake Emporium, said cupcakes are a great option because they are easy to transport and you don’t have to pay anyone to slice the cake. There is no need to buy plates because cupcakes fit perfectly on a napkin.

The sky is the limit when it comes to flavor, filling and frosting. Anything you can imagine is possible. With cupcakes, you are receiving up to six different flavors for your guests to choose from. Cupcakes are a great way to tie in your wedding theme by using the cupcake liners or frostings.