Dennis Allen10 said:Thanks for the heads-up 😉 I’m going to send over an inquiry; I’ve gotta know just how much these little masterpieces are going to set me back...
They sell those cookies by the piece. I reached out to ask about pricing, but once they replied, we didn't even bother showing up.
We’ve decided to go with a playful theme for the cake 😁 featuring Miss Piggy and Kermit holding hands out of fondant on top. 😁 The color scheme will be green and pink.
We weren't fans of those traditional bride and groom toppers; had we opted for an elegant look, we would have just ordered some metallic hearts from Amazon.
Taylor Jackson59 said:Since when is a kilo of sweets not enough for 10 people?🙄
You could easily put out a kilogram; nobody is stopping you. I was at a wedding last summer where they put just one tray of pastries on the table—maybe a kilogram's worth—and before you knew it, it was completely gone. People polished them off incredibly fast.
Lawrence Doyle5 said:I’ve been chewing on this one myself... is there actually enough cake on a single table for ten people? It doesn't feel like it—especially if you look at those standard estimates suggesting about a third of a pound per person. Oh, and here's a random little fun fact I stumbled upon... apparently, folks down in the South average about a tenth of a pound of sweets per head, while people out in the Midwest can easily polish off half a pound.
Everyone gave us the same recommendation for a dessert minimum, but we’re sticking to our guns with 150g per person. As I’ve maintained before, sweets aren't a major expense; I much prefer having leftovers rather than facing an empty table for the rest of the night, like those weddings we've attended.
Gregory Barnes said:Hey, could I get a little help here? How many pastries should I put out on a round table for about 9 or 10 people? Is one kilogram enough, or...
Standard catering guidelines suggest 4 to 5 ounces per person, though you might want to bump that up to 7 ounces to be safe. A single kilogram wouldn't even hit the minimum requirement for a group that size.
Maria Perez46 said:Is it a bad move to have all the desserts made by Amelia and then just coordinate with them to handle our own transport down to Savannah? I can't seem to find a single bakery in Savannah that fits what I'm looking for, so I'm weighing this option... It's a small wedding, though—maybe 50 people tops. If anyone has any recommendations for the Savannah area, please let me know. 🙂
They’ll handle the transport, they'll just charge a fee for the trip to Savannah. Unless you're dealing with a massive, delicate cake that you wouldn't dare move yourself, why not just take the deal? 🙂
I once had to haul a large cake up two flights of stairs in my car, and it took 9.3 miles—I was terrified the whole time that something would go wrong. 🙂
I’m asking because, honestly, I just don't have the patience to bounce from one bakery to another—wasting both my time and my hard-earned cash—when basically everything I wanted to know has already been mentioned in this thread anyway.
Plus, Amelia is actually really sweet, and her prices? They aren't bad at all... she's pretty much right in line with the other local spots.
So, yeah, I'm going to set up a time to head over there with my future husband for a little tasting session. 🙂
We wanted to take a stroll which was such a blast, and then we sat down with my godmother and her kids and just dove into the pastries—kids will always tell you the truth. 😁 😁
To be honest, Amelia surprised me with those discounts. They're well-established and highly praised for their gourmet treats; the place is packed, so they don't really need to offer deals to stay busy.
Would that basically count as a dessert table... or do they already offer specific packages for that? Specific pastries, setting everything up... do you happen to know anything about how they handle that?
Keep in mind, we actually have fewer guests than you... only about 90.
Cakes are sold by the slice; expect to pay roughly $6.75 per slice as a standard rate. Since your guest count is lower, they might stick to full pricing for the pastries, though they may offer a slight discount since you're ordering multiple cakes. It really comes down to goodwill, and I say that specifically regarding Amelia, because no one else has mentioned volume discounts.
I haven't inquired about dessert tables myself, but I assume you can customize them however you like with any pastry selection. They will likely recommend a specific quantity; typically, the catering standard is about 150g per person, but for a dessert table, you take less. If you follow the standard ratio, you would need about 14 kg of pastries, which at full price would cost you $560.
Susan Smith11 said:I guess it depends on when you went and what you actually tried. I stopped by yesterday and grabbed a 10oz pack... and well, it’s just sitting there because nobody wants them. They aren't terrible, per se, but they feel kind of hollow, like the flavor isn't really hitting. The pack had chocolate sponge cakes (decent, but a bit bland), some chocolate ones (same thing), shortbread cookies (those were actually good), crescent cookies (fine, crumbly enough), and those jam-filled stars (probably the worst of the bunch)... So, for my birthday next weekend, I might grab a sampler from Absum or a Fancy cake, and if they're all more or less mediocre, I'll probably just go with Absum since they're the cheapest (which lets me mix and match with those mini donuts, tartlets, and pralines). The sugar cookies are the best so far; the sponge cake isn't anything special either, though a few other varieties are quite tasty, even if they didn't quite win me over.. Ironically, I picked up some hemp-infused treats at a vendor stall yesterday and they were actually delicious... Plus, my neighbor is baking amazing cookies to sell locally at $23/lb, but she doesn't have a permit. It's not like any of these options are completely bad, really....
The fiancé also picked up a pack yesterday, so it’s probably the same batch. His opinion is that their sponge cake is far superior to what you get at Fancy cake (that's his favorite, so he eats it constantly; to me, they're similar). I ignored the honey cookies and those biscuits because we aren't serving them at the wedding. The star shapes are good, the shortbread is good too, the crescent cookies are excellent, and the stars are okay.
At Fancy cake, the cookies are harder, which I dislike; I have no idea how long they've been sitting out. Their sponge cake is solid, the white cream pie is premium quality with visible cream chunks, and the chocolate orange bars reminded me of a Hershey's bar (a subjective assessment 😂 since I don't usually eat Hershey's). The stars are alright, but the crescent cookies are much tougher and have a "thinner" flavor profile.
Cookies are entirely subjective 😁 personally, I am extremely satisfied with the Culinary Institute of America
rowdyviper13 said:Olivia Castillo562, which cakes are you planning to grab? The Culinary Institute of America makes some absolutely killer cakes, but if I had to pick, my absolute favorites have to be the Amelia Quote and the Valerie cake. 🙂
We haven't decided yet, but we know there will be two fruit flavors and two chocolate flavors. Valerie is out of stock right now because there are no raspberries, so we'll try them again in the spring and see what works for fondant.
We require at least 45 pounds of pastries, though we will likely order even more to accommodate an outdoor table featuring cocktails and strawberries. We also need a wedding cake sufficient for approximately 150 guests.
The owner offers a volume discount; she mentioned that, under these circumstances, the price per pound would be $30 😁. Each slice of cake follows standard sizing of $6.75. Based on my understanding, there are no additional requests for custom decorations. The total cost for both the pastries and the cake should hover around $1667. 😁
We intend to serve classic American wedding sweets: varieties like chocolate fudge, lemon bars, shortbread, brownies, and similar treats—roughly 8 to 10 different types. Additionally, the cake should be a four-tier design featuring two distinct flavors.
They selected the pastries 🙂 Amelia 😁 crumbly (as they ought to be), packed with flavor, aesthetically pleasing, and even offered a bulk discount 😁 so honestly, how could you find a better deal than that? 😁
Location is everything when you set up a table. 🙂 I don't see why they charge such an absurd premium for a single cupcake 🙄 It seems like they spend way more effort on their pastries or eclairs than on those little treats. Yet, anything that looks trendy or colorful gets priced individually—think mousse cups, cake pops, or macarons.
Taylor Jackson59 said:Honestly, $200 is a pretty decent amount to save. In my experience, guests mostly care about the vibe, the live band, and the food. Cakes are just a side note—everyone's got their own priorities when it comes to spending.🙂
Even if my own treats cost only $20/lb, they won't be any less delicious than those overpriced ones.☕
Nobody ever promised your cookies would be edible. Having a strict budget you aren't allowed to touch is an entirely different matter altogether. $200 It won't enrich or impoverish anyone. Personally, I am the type of bride for whom everything matters—nothing is trivial. That is why we took our time, and we are prepared to invest more effort into details that others often push to the bottom of their list. As you pointed out, everyone simply chooses different priorities. 🙂
Joseph Jones11 said:Megan Lewis98, I am so incredibly sorry you went through that. 😢
As for how important the desserts are... well, to me, they are huge.
The groom and I are total sweet tooth people, and honestly, at every single wedding we've been to, we've ended up critiquing the sweets—which ones were good and which ones weren't. Personally, I'm not a fan of those super heavy, old-school traditional pastries; they're getting kind of boring. So, I have no problem spending a little extra to get us some nicer, more innovative, and pricier treats that I hope will wow everyone else too.🙂
I think something like this would even catch our grandmothers' interest:😁:
Those tables are stunning, but you need to be strategic about placement. I once attended a wedding where the layout was a disaster; guests were forced to trudge right through the dance floor just to reach the buffet. Also, keep in mind that cupcakes are priced per unit—depending on how much icing work goes into them, you could be looking at a significant cost. $5.00 Just so we are clear—for your information. 😉
Taylor Jackson59 said:Personally, sweets are the last thing on my priority list. I’m not about to drop serious cash on them because, honestly, most pastries are pretty much mid in terms of quality. Like, what kind of dessert are we even talking about for $40/lb? 😲 The priciest thing I’ve ever heard of was $30🙄
Taylor Jackson59, I couldn't disagree more. It's a fallacy to assume all desserts are equal in quality, and besides, the cost difference is negligible when you look at the wedding budget as a whole. Saving $200 ($30 versus 120) on 20 pounds of sweets is just a drop in the bucket compared to the total expense. Ultimately, everyone makes their own choices based on what fits their specific needs and budget.
Joseph Jones11 said:Wait, so you just walked in there and told them you were picking out desserts for a wedding? Is that how it works? Did you guys actually call ahead to make an appointment, or did you just barge in there unannounced? 🙂
We called everywhere and had a massive list of questions.😁 You have to schedule an appointment because the owner isn't always on duty or available. At the end of the day, whether they give you a deal is entirely up to their discretion. I didn't exactly hit it off with the owner at Amelia, so she invited us over (no obligation), but when we arrived asking for extra small pastries, she unexpectedly gave us two whole cakes and three macarons for free. It was quite surprising, but a very generous gesture on their part.
Susan Smith11 said:I might head over to Amelia next week for some treats myself, so if they turn out great, they're my go-to, but if not, maybe I'll just stick with Emma... though if I go with Amelia, I'll probably grab both cookies and a cake, whereas if I pick Emma, it's just cookies, which leaves me wondering what to do about the cake. By the way, you mentioned Amelia offers free delivery—is that just within the city or does it cover the suburbs too? If I recall correctly, you live a bit outside the city limits, but I can't quite remember where.
We plan to source everything from one vendor. We won't taste the cakes until later since most bakers struggle with fondant when stacking tiers vertically. Only Sweet Talk mentioned using that central dowel system that allows you to stack tiers however you want. I'll ask Amelia about it when I call back.
We are located in Grand Market, which is about 22 miles outside of the city, and they offered us free delivery.
Joseph Jones11 said:Does anyone happen to know when the next big wedding expo is happening? I heard they usually hold them in January or February, but I can't find any info anywhere...
Apparently, they promote a ton of bakeries and dessert shops at these things—they even hand out coupons for free tastings. And honestly, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. 😁
Our tastings were totally free, 😁 except at Sweet Talk where we actually paid. Honestly, we would have paid anywhere, but I was surprised they were giving away free samples—we still need to stop by Amelia since we only picked up cakes.
From what I gather, prices in the city range from about $85 (Little Pie Shop) to $130 (Fancy Cako) or Poppy, which charges per piece, making it hard to budget. Amelia offers volume discounts (though Fancy Cako, Lee, and Sweet Talk didn't mention any), but I doubt that helps much with a dessert table since you typically order fewer items there. I'm counting down the days until next Friday or Saturday so we can finally settle on either Amelia or Fancy Cako.😁
Melissa Sanchez2, I am not agitated at all 😁 I actually enjoyed visiting the bakeries.
Desserts are a priority for me (my future bride-to-be mother-in-law insists they are essential for the wedding 😁) and I refuse to pick mediocre sweets for a wedding reception. I was hoping for a "wow" factor, but what if they fall flat? I prefer playing it safe by choosing quality, because I have attended several weddings where the desserts were an afterthought—people just bought whatever was available, nobody ate them, and they ended up as wasted food—even including myself, and I have a massive sweet tooth.
When money is being spent (and I mean generally speaking here), things should be done properly. I will pre-select a menu that truly impresses, regardless of whether it costs me a few extra dollars or requires more effort. 😁
They were chasing down cookies today. 🙂 Just to be clear, we took samples of the pastries home to taste properly; there was no tasting on-site. Everyone recommends a standard serving of roughly 5 ounces per person. For our guest count, that equates to about 45 pounds of sweets. While most caterers have their own way of plating, Sweet Talk is the only one that uses ceramic plates.
First, we headed over to Fancy Cako. $43The weight was listed at 120 grams per unit, but they actually threw in a little sampler box of cookies for free. We ended up grabbing two extra slices of cake on our own dime, too. The cookies have a perfect, crumbly texture with distinct flavors in every bite—you can tell there isn’t a trace of margarine in them. As for the cakes? Absolutely top-tier. They offer free delivery within the city, which is a huge plus, though we'd probably just pick them up ourselves. $33. $6.75 Cake slices.
Amelia and I had a bit of a misunderstanding. I mentioned that I’m rarely in the city, but she took it the wrong way and ended up with zero snacks on hand. It was a total waste of money. $40The price per pound might look high, but they offer volume discounts based on the guest count, so it actually works out in our favor. $30The price per pound for these cakes is frankly excessive. It’s like paying premium steak prices for a side of mashed potatoes. $6.75 She sent over three macarons and two slices of cake, followed by an invitation to swing by around noon on the 12th to pick up a new sample of mini pastries—apparently apologizing because we hadn't reached an agreement earlier. To be blunt, the macarons were underwhelming, but the cake was excellent. As for the quality of the mini pastries, we'll see once they arrive. They don't charge for delivery.
The cake is excellent. $40$3.30 per pound. It’s a steep price, plain and simple. $8.25 I sampled their cake along with three complimentary cookies. To be blunt: they were mediocre. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact flaw because they weren't dry, tough, or oily—they were simply unremarkable. They lacked any real character.
Sweet Talk— $40I don't have the exact price per slice since he did his own math, but based on the weight, we ended up getting the cheapest cake in the room. $567It’s easily the most expensive option—over $2,200, give or take. $300 The decorations are absolutely stunning. As for the cookies, they charged us exactly what was owed, which I find perfectly acceptable. 😁We sampled some dry pastries and two different cakes. The pastries were incredibly tough—think stale bagels or biscotti—which certainly didn't impress the Canadian guest. We also tried one of those trendy orange zest cakes that everyone raves about, but honestly, it was underwhelming to us. One thing the baker mentioned privately, which nobody else seemed to know, is that he offers tiered cake stands where the bottom layer can be any flavor you want, kept hidden until the first slice is cut.
Our decision comes down to choosing between Amelia and Fancy Cako, which we will settle once we've sampled the cookies from Amelia because... $13A difference of even a single dollar per pound represents a significant amount of money. I recognize that my criteria might seem vague to some, but frankly, certain pastries are simply unacceptable—they lack flavor, miss my personal style, or are disappointingly dry and tough.
I hope my input proved useful to someone. At the very least, you now know the pricing for the pastries and exactly where to pick up free samples. 😂 Regardless of everything else, one should still make an appointment and take a stroll down to the bakery to sample the pastries. 😁
Susan Smith11 said:It’s not exactly within reach, but I guess everything just boils down to whatever we can afford at the time. $40 It’s always a gamble whether the desserts will be incredible or just drown in mediocrity, though I'm hesitant to overspend on them. It really depends on what else I end up paying for. If I decide to go with Absum, I probably won't stick to basic cookies; I'll likely opt for those little pastry baskets, mignonettes, or chocolate-covered fruit instead. Maybe I'll pick up a few simple treats for the traditionalists.
I guess the sweet talker finally decided to get in touch with me. $37I managed to track down a little bit of Le cake, I guess.$40Per pound. For now, it's probably the most expensive PIECE of cake around. $43I guess that's just per pound.
I hadn't even considered PIECE of cake until I went looking at their photos yesterday. Some of those cakes look absolutely hideous https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...21938745_n.jpg https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/...84177046_n.jpg
and most of them look messy https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=800%2C600
this is actually their best photo https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...29_n.jpg?lvh=1
If they're going to post pictures, they should showcase their best work and actually master decorating, because this looks terrible—especially given those prices.🙄
Regarding the margarine issue—sweet talker emphasized that they use nothing but pure butter, heavy cream, and high-end chocolate. In my view, a bakery wouldn't charge premium prices for their pastries if they were cutting corners with margarine.
We intend to sample treats from various local bakeries to sit down and enjoy 🤣 together, and I’m fairly certain at least one shop will meet our standards 😁
Susan Smith11 said:If you end up trying all those pastries, please leave some reviews because I don't have the patience to test them all myself. Honestly, the best wedding cake I've ever had was from Amelia, though I can't actually remember which specific one they served since there were so many bite-sized pieces—I'm not even sure if they even did a large tiered cake. I haven't tried their individual pastries yet. I'm not really the type to wander into bakeries, so I guess I'm just flying blind here. 🙂 I suspect everything mentioned is going to be pretty pricey, though... Based on some old threads, Fancy Cake is quite expensive, Sugarland is $40/lb, and I don't know much about the pricing at Le or Sweet Talker.
I've accepted that I'll spend about $40/lb on desserts, so 🙄 I don't usually go out of my way either—except for McCafé 😁—but now I have to scout them out. I'll post my impressions 😁, though perhaps I'm just being overly critical. 🤣
redmason30 said:Listen up, I think I found the fix for you guys🙂, there's this bakery called Darkness (http://pizzeriamrak.com/slasticarna.html, https://www.facebook.com/pizzeriaslasticarna.mrak) over in Križevci. Their website is kind of a mess, honestly, but man, the cakes and pastries are just incredible. They sell slices by the pound/$20, and we got a custom cake with buttercream that cost us just under $333 (we had three different ones, all amazing—super light, none of that gross margarine taste). For a cake like that, they usually ask for about $1000. Plus, they didn't even charge us for delivery, even though the wedding was way out in Sesvete, and they didn't charge for setting up the dessert table either, which normally would have cost me like $100. So yeah, keep them in mind if you need sweets in Krapina. Here’s a shot of our dessert spread and the cake...
A dessert table isn't for me; I attended a wedding where some of our guests were also present, and I wasn't impressed, nor was the rest of the crowd. I'm not craving a few small sweets right now. We finally managed to clear some time this weekend to go checking, so I might consider them if the options in Chicago turn out to be "meh."
edit: silentpanther32, that would be my favorite combination 😁