The Perfect Sweet Timeline: When to Order, Design, and Finalise Your Wedding Cake or Dessert Table

3 January

Happy New Year!!

I hope you’ve all had time to eat something beige, wear elasticated trousers, and fully recover from December. Because January is here. Quiet. Calm. Slightly grey. And actually a brilliant time to plan your wedding cake or dessert table properly.

Photo by Lucy Lloyd Jones

I always think January gets a bad reputation. Yes, it’s cold. Yes, the sparkle has worn off. But it’s also the month where things slow down just enough to think clearly. Suppliers are back at their desks. Emails are being answered. And before wedding season starts ramping up again, there’s space to plan without rushing or panicking.

Your cake or dessert table might feel like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, but it’s one of those elements that sits right at the heart of the celebration. It deserves a bit of time. And a plan.

Here’s how that usually works best.

Photo by Helena.m.photography

12 to 18 months before. Dream first. Decide later.

This is the fun bit. No pressure. No commitments. Just ideas.

Start collecting inspiration. Cakes you love. Dessert tables that make you stop scrolling. Think about whether you’re drawn to a single statement cake, a layered dessert table, or something more relaxed like grazing boards or afternoon tea.

If your venue and date are set, this is also a good time to start looking at cake designers whose work feels like you. Not just aesthetically, but in approach. Everyone works differently, and it’s worth finding someone whose style and process you trust.

9 to 12 months before. Book your cake designer.

Good designers book up early. Sometimes much earlier than couples expect. If you’ve found someone you love, get in touch. Even if you don’t have every detail figured out yet.

Booking early secures your date and gives you breathing room. You don’t need to finalise flavours or designs at this stage. That comes later. This is just about making sure you’re not trying to squeeze important decisions into the busiest part of wedding season.

6 to 9 months before. Tastings and conversations.

Now we get to the really enjoyable part. Cake tasting.

This is where ideas start to take shape. We talk through your day, your venue, your guest numbers, and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. You’ll taste flavours, rule things in and out, and start building something that feels right for you.

If you’re considering a dessert table, this is also the moment to think about balance. A mix of textures. A mix of flavours. Not too heavy. Not too fiddly. Enough variety to feel generous without overwhelming anyone.

4 to 6 months before. Finalise the design.

By now, things usually feel clearer. You’ll confirm flavours, finalise the overall look, and decide on any extra details like flowers, styling, or display options.

This is also where good communication between suppliers really matters. If your cake includes florals, I’ll liaise with your florist. If your venue has specific requirements, we’ll work within them. The more is decided here, the smoother everything feels later on.

2 to 3 months before. Logistics and practicalities.

This is the sensible bit. Not glamorous, but very important.

Delivery times. Setup locations. Cake stands. Table layouts. Weather plans if things are outdoors. All the behind-the-scenes details that mean you don’t have to think about your cake at all on the day.

It’s also when dessert table numbers are usually finalised, so portions can be planned accurately and nothing feels rushed.

One month before. Final check-in.

At this point, everything should be locked in. Designs are final. Final payment is due. We double-check timings, delivery details, and setup plans.

After this, you don’t need to think about cake again. Which is exactly how it should be.

Wedding day. Eat cake. Repeatedly.

Your cake or dessert table will be delivered and set up as planned. Your photographer will capture it before guests descend. And then it’s there to be enjoyed.

This is the moment where all that planning quietly pays off.

One final tip. Save some.

Ask someone to box up a few slices or desserts at the end of the night. Many freeze beautifully. Future you will be very grateful. Especially the morning after.

If you’re newly engaged, newly rested, or just emerging from the festive fog, January really is the perfect time to get in touch. There’s space now to plan thoughtfully, ask questions, and design something that fits your day properly before wedding season gathers pace again.

If you’re considering a cake, dessert table, or something in between, I’d love to help. This is the calm part. Before the lovely madness begins.