Wedding advice from the ‘Queen of Cake’ behind Dufflet Pastries

It might just be the very first thing you and your new spouse actually do together as a married couple -- the simple act of joining hands and cutting the into your show-stopping wedding cake.

But to get to that perfect moment, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Bakeries recommend you start getting the wheels in motion six to nine months before your big day, meaning your cake should be at the top of your wedding priority list.

Choosing the perfect cake for your ceremony is by far one of the most fun (and delicious!) parts of planning a wedding, but it has the potential to be a source of stress if couples aren't prepared for what's in store. Budgets, taste and size are all major sources of conflict when couples are selecting their cake.

To help you make your cake selection as enjoyable as possible, Yahoo Canada Shine chatted with the "Queen of Cake," Dufflet Rosenberg. Rosenberg is the owner of Dufflet Pastries, one of the most in-demand cake shops in Toronto, Ont. Here, she shares her advice for how couples can get the cake of their dreams and not break the bank.

1. What should couples have in mind before approaching a cake provider?

The most important thing to know going in is how much cake you're going to need -- that has a big effect on what kind of cake you can choose. The average size slice per person is about 2 x 2-inches.

I also recommend you come in with a picture of your dream cake, but have a set budget -- a lot of couples have eyes bigger than their budgets, which can make things difficult. Another thing is venue. Don't pick your cake until you know the logistics of your venue, because whether it's inside or outside or air-conditioned affects the cake.

2. What can couples expect to spend on a wedding cake?

If you’re doing the cake as the main dessert for all the guests, it can run anywhere from $200 to $800, but on average you’ll pay about $450 to $500. If you’re going for a small cake as part of a sweet table, you’re looking at about $350 to $500.

3. What mistakes do couples make when selecting a cake?

A lot of bridal magazines are featuring cakes with dark colouring, so people are requesting that style, but it's not the best choice. The deep colouring affects the flavour of the buttercream, so for a more natural flavour, it's best to go for a natural colour.

Another common mistake is ordering too much cake, so you should always be clear about how many people are on your guest list before ordering.

4. We've been seeing a lot of cakes with no icing ("naked cakes") popping up on Pinterest lately. What kind of trends are you seeing in cakes this year?

Cake toppers are coming back! We haven't seen them for years but people are asking for them again. We're also finding a lot of people asking for gold-brushed accents or even an entire cake brushed with gold.

5. Speaking of gold -- how can couples save money on their wedding cake?

The best way to cut costs is to go for buttercream [frosting] instead of fondant -- it tastes better, anyway, and it's cheaper. If you're going for a smaller cake but still want that "wow" factor, go for simplicity in the design. Add accents of colour instead of tinting all over the cake.

Dufflet Rosenberg is the owner of Dufflet Pastries in Toronto, Ont. Her cakes and confections are sold in more than 500 hotels, bakeries and stores across Ontario and Quebec, as well as select Target locations.