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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book an appointment to come in and see your cakes?
Yes, it's highly recommended that you make an appointment at least 6 months prior to your big day. With an appointment, we can assure you space and time to look through our wedding albums and do our best to answer all of your questions. Typically, the following times are available for appointments:
Tuesdays: 12:00 – 4:00 pm Tammy or Jenny
Thursdays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Tammy, Jenny or Debbie
Fridays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Tammy or Jenny
Saturdays: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Debbie (Limit 3 per Saturday)
Exceptions can be made but only with the approval of the Cake Consultant. Appointments are not typically scheduled around busy holidays due to the high volume of holiday specific work. We recommend calling ahead to determine any Holiday Specific Black out times. With 72 hours or more notice, we are delighted to prepare a complimentary wedding cake sample custom made to your liking.
Is there a consultation fee and what does it include?
A $25.00 fee will be charged for all scheduled Cake Consultations/Appointments. This $25.00 fee includes a 1-hour pre-made appointment with one of our consultants. Also included with this appointment is a cake sample. If the Bridal couple places a tiered cake order within 6 months, this $25.00 fee will be applied to the order.
What kind of sample can we order?
With 72 hours notice, we can make you a generous 6" top tier sample allowing you to select 3 different types of cake and 2 different types of fillings chosen from our list of tiered cake options. The sample is iced in our Buttercream Icing and will serve 8 – 10 people. The un-served portion is sent home at the end of the appointment. Whipped cream icing and fresh fruit filling are not provided in this sample. If you feel like you would like to sample more than 3 types of cake and 2 types of filling, you may order additional samples for the cost of $ 5.00 per sample (This fee will not be applied to any order placed). You may choose to eat your sample during your appointment or in the comfort of your own home. There is plenty to share
How many people can I bring to the appointment?
Four or less people is a good number to comfortably fit in our wedding cake area. More than four a can be a tight squeeze and may draw out the decision making process. If you are sampling during your appointment, there will be leftovers to take home to other family and friends since our sample yields about 10 - 12 slices.
What if I am running late or need to cancel?
Please call us if you are running late for your appointment. We schedule appointments to last 1 hour and sometimes have them back to back, especially on a Saturday. If you need to cancel, please give us 24 hours notice.
What happens at the appointment and what should I bring?
Once you arrive at the bakery, we will cut slices of your pre-ordered cake sample for you to try while you are looking through our wedding albums. After you've sampled and looked through the books, we will sit with you to answer questions and try to get a feel for your likes and dislikes. If you have pictures or designs already in mind, please bring them with you. Color swatches and ornamentation you may wish to use in the cake design are also good things to bring.
At this point, we are happy to give you a price quote (which is good for 90 days). You are under no obligation to order or book your cake. We want you to be comfortable with your decision. However, if you decide not to order at this time, we will ask you to make another appointment - even though you may know exactly what you want. We only ask qualified staff to write orders and we need to ensure that one is available for you upon ordering.
When should I order my wedding cake?
Peak wedding season is April through October. If your wedding date falls within the peak season, we suggest you order 3 to 6 months in advance of your date. If your wedding occurs in the off-season, 2 - 3 months is sufficient. We have, and will, take orders with much less notice if we are able to fit your cake into our production schedule. However, we may need to limit your choices of design, cake flavors, or fillings. Please plan ahead.
What if my wedding occurs during Jarosch Bakery's annual July shut-down period?
For 50 years, Jarosch Bakery has observed an annual 2 week shut-down period during the month of July. We use this time to make necessary repairs or improvements while allowing our staff to take much needed time off. The dates for this shut-down period fluctuate around the 4th of July. We do accept wedding cake orders for delivery during this time with the customers' understanding that their cake will be made ahead, frozen, and then delivered. We have done this successfully for 50 years and with high customer satisfaction, however, there are some design and icing limitations. We do accept a limited number of orders due to space and delivery options. Please contact us for this year's shut-down dates and order availability.
Do I need to hold the date?
Not necessarily. Given a minimum 2 months notice, we have been able to accept all wedding cake orders. The exception would be during our shut-down period in July.
How much cake should I order?
First, you need to answer the following question; Are you serving your wedding cake as dessert, or, are you wrapping it or offering it on a sweet table?
If you are serving your cake as the sole dessert, you will need a piece of cake for each guest.
If you are wrapping the cake, or, using it on a sweet table, you should order cake for two-thirds to one-half of your guests.
You won't have a final count of guests until about 2 weeks prior to your wedding. We advise you to estimate your final number of guests to be 15% - 20% less of your total guest list. For instance: if your guest list is 200, we estimate your final count to range anywhere from 160 - 170 people. We advise you to only order the amount of cake you need. We will not down size a cake once it has been ordered. If you find you need "more" cake as the wedding date draws near, additional servings of cake can be ordered in the form of a sheet cake up to 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
Is the top tier included in my servings?
Yes. If you wish to save and freeze your top tier for you first anniversary, please subtract about 10 servings from your total cake servings. Although saving and freezing that top tier can be tradition, we encourage you to eat your cake and order a freshly made cake for that First Anniversary.
Can each tier of cake be a different type of cake mix and filling?
Yes, each tier can be different. This can be nice when your cake is being offered on a sweet table or wrapped to go. However, when each guest is being served cake, it may it may be best to make each tier the same since it's impossible for the banquet hall to ask each guest their preference.
What should I use as a wedding cake topper?
There are many options to finishing the top of your wedding cake. The options include keepsake ornaments, fresh flowers, gum paste flowers, fabric or fondant bows, or nothing at all.
- Keepsake Ornaments - Wedding cake ornaments may be purchased through the bakery. Allow 3 - 4 weeks for ordering custom colors or ornaments that are not in stock. Customers may bring in their own ornament, however, consideration must be made for size and weight. Wedding cake ornaments are never rented. The ornament is not included in the price of your cake.
- Fresh Flowers - The customer may either work with their own florist, or we recommend they use Ashland Addison Florist located in the same shopping center as the bakery. We will coordinate our delivery with the customer's florist so that the cake arrives in time for the florist to decorate the cake since our delivery person is unable to decorate cakes with loose flowers.
- Gum Paste Flowers - For a realistic looking flower that's not real, gum paste flowers can be ordered and provided by the bakery. Costs vary, but are similar to fresh flowers.
- Fabric or Fondant Bows - Bows can make a nice crowning touch. If using fabric, we will ask the customer to provide the ribbon or the bow itself. Before purchasing ribbon, please seek our advice on material and quantity. Costs vary on creation of your custom bow.
How far do you deliver, how much does it cost, and when does the cake arrive?
We deliver throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area. Our delivery fee is based upon day of the week, time and distance. The fee can range from $15.00 to $175.00. We typically deliver a minimum of 1 - 2 hours prior to your event. The actual time of delivery varies depending on the availability of the room, possible coordination with a florist, and other deliveries.
What about payment?
One-third deposit is required at the time of ordering and can be made in the form of cash, check, charge, or debit card. Your one-third deposit is non-refundable. You may make installments leading up to the final payment deadline. Final payments are due 2 weeks prior to your wedding date. Personal checks will only be accepted as final payment if written no less than 4 weeks prior to the event. Emergency Orders placed within seven days of the event must be paid in full upon ordered.
Changes
We begin the planning process – delivery schedule, production schedules, staffing levels, etc – one week in advance of your event. Accordingly, any changes to your order must be made no later than 7 days prior to the event. Within fewer than 7 days, requests for changes will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Cancellation
Occasionally, it is necessary to cancel a wedding cake. If the cake is cancelled after it has already been completed, then there will be no refund. If the cake is partially completed, then only a partial refund will be made. For any other situation, we reserve the right to retain 10% of the total cost of the cake, not including delivery charges, rental charges, refundable deposits for separators, fountains, or bridges.
Deliveries
We strongly recommend that you let our experienced staff deliver your tiered cake to the reception (substitute “the trunk of your car” for “the back of the delivery van” in the “Icing” section above). We recommend that the cake sit in the banquet hall for a few hours before you serve it – it tastes better at room temperature. Accordingly, we need to have access to the room at least two (2) hours prior to the start of your reception. Please make arrangements for someone to be there. Other arrangements can be made, but we cannot be held responsible for late deliveries. If there are any problems with the delivery, we will only be liable for the cost of the delivery, not the cost of the cake or any subjective suffering.
The Reception Hall
Please tell the hall how big your cake is, especially if your design includes multiple cakes and/or bridges. It is important that the table is large enough, strong enough and level. If your cake will have a fountain, please ensure that an extension cord of appropriate length is available.
