Of all the decisions that go into planning a wedding, choosing the cake may be the sweetest. Much more than dessert, this beloved wedding symbol should be as special as the bride and groom themselves. Whether you imagine a majestic cake blooming with fresh flowers, a pristine fondant-covered masterpiece, or a homespun take on strawberry shortcake- or even if you don&#8217;t know where to begin- <i>Martha Stewart&#8217;s Wedding Cakes</i> will provide you with more than 100 delicious and inspiring ideas for timeless and beautiful confections that are perfect for every style of wedding.<br><br>Not just visually inspiring, these pages are filled with information you won&#8217;t find anywhere else. Martha Stewart and Wendy Kromer, the master baker and decorator who has been creating cakes for <i>Martha Stewart Weddings</i> for more than a decade, guide you through everything you need to consider when selecting a cake- and even how to bake and decorate one yourself. Novice and experienced bakers alike will find recipes and insiders&#8217; techniques to create truly memorable wedding cakes.<br><br>You will learn:<br>Where to begin- how to decide what style and flavors are right for you, taking into account the season, location, and theme of the event<br><br>Buttercream or fondant? Ganache or meringue? Useful charts explain the delicious materials bakers use, so you can choose the ones that suit your taste and style<br><br>Creative ways to display your cake so it takes center stage at the reception<br><br>How to find and hire a baker, including questions to ask and contract considerations<br><br>Ideas for cutting costs without sacrificing quality or beauty <br><br>How to incorporate traditions from around the world<br><br>Everything you need to know about baking a cake yourself, with complete recipes as well as how-to decorating techniques with color photographs and reference charts<br><br>A treasury of inspiration, <i>Martha Stewart&#8217;s Wedding Cakes </i>will ensure that your cake, whether homemade or professionally baked, triple-tiered or a tower of cupcakes, embellished with fresh fruit or elaborate sugar roses, is every bit as magical as your big day.