How to Communicate Your Cake Vision to a Baker

You have a picture in your head of exactly what you want — but getting that picture out of your head and into a baker's hands is where things can go sideways. The good news is that a clear, well-organized message makes an enormous difference. Here's exactly what to include so the final cake matches what you were picturing.

Why Clear Communication Matters More Than You Think

A custom cake is built entirely from the details you provide. Two words like "elegant" and "colorful" can mean completely different things to two different people — so the more specific you can be, the closer the final result lands to your original idea.

What to Include When You Reach Out

Occasion & Date

Start with what you're celebrating and when. This helps us confirm availability right away and suggest designs that suit the occasion.

Size & Serving Count

A rough guest count is enough for us to recommend the right size, whether that's a single-tier cake, a multi-tier design, or a bento cake for a smaller gathering.

Flavor Preferences

Let us know any flavors you love, dislike, or need to avoid — including allergies. This is one of the easiest details to forget, and one of the most important to get right.

Visual References

Photos are the single most useful thing you can send. Even one or two images, even if they're not a perfect match, give us a real starting point instead of guessing at what "elegant" or "fun" means to you.

Budget Range

Sharing a rough budget upfront helps us suggest a design that fits, rather than proposing something that's outside your range and going back and forth.

How to Use Reference Images the Right Way

Instead of sending a single image and saying "like this," try pointing out specifically what you like about it — the color palette, the topper, the piping style, or the overall shape. If you have multiple references, tell us which element you want from each one.

Words That Help (and Words That Confuse)

Vague descriptors like "cute," "simple," or "fancy" mean different things to different people. Instead, try being specific: "pastel pink with gold accents" tells us far more than "pretty colors," and "clean minimal lines with one floral cluster" is clearer than "not too much going on."

What Happens After You Send Your Brief

Once we have your details, we'll confirm whether your date and design are achievable, suggest any adjustments if needed, and walk you through pricing before anything is finalized. From there, it's just a matter of confirming the order.

A Sample Message You Can Use

Not sure how to start? Here's a template you can copy, fill in, and send us on Instagram:

For more on timing your order right, see our guide on how far in advance to order a custom cake, or browse the custom cakes page for inspiration before you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have a photo reference?

That's completely fine — describe the colors, mood and any specific elements you'd like, and we can suggest a few directions based on what you tell us. A rough description is still far more useful than no direction at all.

Can I combine two different design ideas?

Yes, and it's a common request. Send both references and point out specifically what you like from each one, for example the color palette from one and the topper style from another, so we know exactly which elements to combine.

What if I change my mind after ordering?

Message us as early as possible. Small changes are usually easy to accommodate if there's still time before your order is prepared, but changes requested close to your event date may not always be possible.

Do I need to know exact serving sizes?

Not exactly — a rough guest count is enough. We'll recommend the right size and tier count based on how many people you're serving.

How much detail is too much detail?

There's no such thing as too much detail when it comes to your vision. More context, even small preferences, only helps us get closer to what you're picturing.