(Friday and Saturday are cake decorating and delivery days)
The answering machine is a life-saver!
Thanks :)
What exactly are the PRICES and EXTRA charges for Cake Dot's Wedding Cakes? Basic cake flavors with buttercream icing start at $3.75 per serving, with a minimum of 50 servings; this includes the use of fountains, pillars and silver plateaus if you want. Also, most designs are included in the price of the cake: swirls, scrolls, Swiss dots, single dots, Cornelli Lace, quilted etc. There is an extra charge, however, of $5.00 per tier for basketweave because of the amount of time and amount of buttercream it requires. Now if you want fondant flowers on your cake, that is extra too and the amount depends on what flowers and how many. Cake Dots know you have to keep an eye on your budget so the amount will not break the bank. OK? OK.
Fondant icing is an additional $1.50 per serving. Again, the designs etc. described above are included in the price. Of course, if you are having fondant, you certainly wouldn't want to cover it with basketweave.
Chocolate Ganache icing is an additional $1.00 per serving.
Cake Dot does offer FILLINGS and those are found on the Cake Fillings page.
Warning! Warning! Cake Dot tries to explain things in detail and when she gets something into her pea-pickin' brain, she has to tell you about it !
We still are not raising our price!! NO, NO, NO!! As you probably
seem to be increasing at a faster rate than anything else in the entire world,
and are getting totally outa hand in addition of going through the roof.
However, we are standing firm and still holding at the present price of
$3.75. Cake Dots is doing everything possible, including holding their breath
and standing on their heads to keep the present price. If GAS goes up one
more time though, you will be able to hear Cake Dot herself scream wherever you
are -- This is not a good thing.
Cake Dots have checked the price per serving of many bakers and bakeries around the Columbus and Franklin County area, and we do not feel comfortable raising our price too, let alone to $4.50, $5.00, $7.00 or anything else even though it would help with our ever-increasing expenses. Soooo, we are tightening our belt (and if you know Cake Dot, this is a real challenge ) and staying at our starting price of $3.75 as mentioned above. While checking the prices around the area, it was verrrrry interesting to notice that many bakers don't even list or post their prices! We feel you should know OUR prices up front.
Cake Dots understand that you are struggling with your $$'s just as much as we are, but it's YOUR wedding cake we are talking about. You NEED a wedding cake and we are trying to keep it affordable for you. We know you can certainly get more expensive cakes but that does not guarantee they taste better or are prettier. Cake Dots' cakes are homemade from beginning to end by Cake Dot and Tad only. Our cakes are carefully made using not only the best but the FRESHEST ingredients -- we want our cakes to taste good, look good to eatand are pretty, pretty, pretty; the kind of cake you want to swipe a taste of icing when no one is looking. This is why we use the best and why our ingredients cost more than the average bear -- ahhhh, we mean "cake." Cake Dots will promise keep our present prices, continue to use the best ingredients, make the best cakes and do the prettiest work we can.
How's that?
We could hardly believe our eyes when CAKE DOTS saw they were listedin theBEST OF THE KNOT 2007 and was also mentioned in the May 2007 issue of City Scene Magazine (along with 5 Cake Dot's cake pictures). We were totally flabbergasted but must admit, we work hard at doing quality work and giving the bride the best bang for the buck.We are still doing our best to do a reasonable looking happy dance, lol. Not a pretty sight for the talented people out there.
Who is Cake Dot and what is Cake Dot's? Cake Dot is Dot or Dottie Joyner. My family calls me Dottie but a lot of my customers call me Dot. Dottie/Dot is the nickname for Dorothy. :) Working with me is my pride and joy, Tad. CAKE DOTS is the business name which includes both "Cake Dot" and Tad.
Do you offer sample tastes of your cakes? Cake Dots does not have ALL the cake flavors listed on their flavor list on hand, but we do offer several cake flavor samples for tasting's at your consultation; these are cakes from recent weddings because we want you to taste what brides actually served to their guests at their wedding. We do not make "special tasting cakes" to impress you and then make a cheaper recipe for your wedding cake. What you taste is what you get.
Where is Cake Dots located?Cake Dots is a home business and located in South Columbus, easily accessible from Rt. 23/High Street and 270. Cake Dots REQUIRES an appointment -- please take heed to the words "Requires an appointment" since Cake Dot herself, not Tad, may have her hair up in rollers and goop all over her face -- it would not be a pretty sight!! Please don't "just pop in." "Popping in" is NOT a good thing.
Cake Dots is about 20 minutes from most locations around Columbus: Dublin, Hilliard, Gahanna, Westerville, Bexley, Reynoldsburg etc. Since Cake Dots is just off of 23 and 270, it is very easy to get here. And for those coming from Marysville, Powell and New Albany areas, it does take a touch longer but usually only one consultation is needed--it's not like you have to make a weekly trip to say "Hello." If you have questions, please call for help.
DO NOT CLICK ON MAPQUEST or any other map without reading Cake Dots written directions. MapQuest shows a street named "Aloha."
The owners of Cake Dots community failed to put up a street sign for Aloha. Therefore, instead of looking for "Aloha,"
look for a
brick entrance into
"Enchanted Acres"
THERE IS NO ALOHA ! ! !
A little not of interest: Enchanted Acres is a beautiful adult community that Cake Dot loves and it has been written about in the Columbus Dispatch several times, plus other national papers, as being one of the most beautiful and well-kept adult communities in the country -- ah, adult community is not to be confused with "adult-theme" or "nudist" -- Cake Dot thought that tidbit of info might be helpful.
Finally, here are links to the written directions to "Cake Dots Wedding Cakes" plus a map we have drawn in addition to a link to MapQuest. It seems MapQuest has people getting off at Rt. 104 or Williams Road and those are definitely not the best way. We have tried to give directions from 270, 71 and 315 which of course, are the main arteries. If you have questions, please call. OK, here goes:
Please note the exit ramps we drew onto the 270 outer belt -- 52 South exits. Also, you can click on the map for a larger version. We hope this helps. :)
Oh Boy, I think I got the exit ramps going in the wrong directions, however, at least the ramps are there!! Sorry.
How can I reserve my wedding date and can we make payments?Cake Dots require a $75 date-retainer fee which is non-refundable. Without the retainer fee, your date is not secure. The retainer fee is deducted from the total cost of the wedding cake. And yes, the balance, after the retainer fee is subtracted, can be, and preferred to be, made in two equal payments. The first payment is due 120 days before the wedding and the balance is due three weeks before the wedding. This usually is the preferred method of payment. Cake Dots found some bakers require a 50% deposit of the total cost upon booking. Yikes! Cake Dots brides and grooms are normal people with jobs and budgets, and kids and car payments etc. We try to help the best we can.
What is Buttercream Icing? Cake Dots buttercream icing is absolutely delicious and very smooth and used on all of her cakes, even those who want fondant (the buttercream is under the fondant). Cake Dots' buttercream is it not the overly sweet, gritty and sugary buttercream used by other bakers -- it is her own homemade recipe using the finest buttercream ingredients and no Crisco is used. Please note, Cake Dots' buttercream icing is perfect for both warmer/hot months and cooler/cold months. No need to worry.
What is Chocolate Ganache?Cake Dots' recipe for chocolate ganache is out of this world and is a mixture of the best chocolate, butter and heavy cream. It can be used just as is or whipped for a lighter chocolate, depending on your wedding cake design. It is also used as a delicious filling. Cake Dot loves chocolate ganache.
What is fondant? Cake Dots use the best fondant available. It is a malleable sugar dough and has a neutral, sweet taste. It can be used to make sugar flowers and many of the beautiful designs on your cake. Fondant is placed over Cake Dots buttercream-iced cake which gives your cake a beautiful porcelain-like finish and does not affect the overall flavor of your cake. Fondant can be plain, painted, embellished -- whatever your dream cake requires. And, like pie or pizza crust, you can choose to enjoy it or leave it.
What about cake plates/boards? Cake Dots wedding cakes are placed on a beautiful white or foil covered cake plate/board -- some are disposable cake boards and some are not. Cake Dots will make that known at the time of the cake consultation. There is a deposit required that is refundable upon return of the structural pieces. This new structural systems seems to work wonderfully and Cake Dots and the brides are very happy with the system. We at Cake Dots continually research and do everything possible to make your wedding cake and day perfect. Also, Cake Dots offers silver cake plateaus for you to use at no cost--Free!! There is, however, refundable deposit for the silver plateaus and other miscellaneous items needed if you want pillars, stairs, water fountains etc.
If the cake board and/or other equipment is returned to Cake Dot within two weeks of your event, your deposit check will be either returned to you or simply voided and ripped up. Beyond that date and without special arrangements, the check is cashed.
Are the cakes fresh? Ok. Is this a trick question? Maybe Cake Dots should say, " We have a stash of premade cakes sitting in our cupboards and when a bride places an order, we whip out the ready-made cake?" That would go over like a ton of bricks! Seriously though, Cake Dots' cakes are always baked fresh to your order. ALWAYS !!! Nothing is premade. We promise. What else can we say?
It's OK to make an APPOINTMENT and not call to reschedule or cancel WRONG!!! This will definitely place you on Cake Dots naughty list -- not a good thing. Cake artists understand when you make an appointment, something may come up and you cannot keep your scheduled commitment. PLEASE be courteous and call to reschedule or cancel. After all, Cake Dots schedules appointments that meet YOUR needs and times. Don't be afraid to ask if we can meet at such-n-such a time. We love talking and meeting with brides on their scheduled appointment days. :D Honest!! One thing though, please limit your guests to one or two, thus making a total of 2 or 3 people counting yourself. As mentioned, Cake Dot bakes from her home and space and seating is very limited. Cake Dots arrange their schedule and their family time to fit your needs, besides, Cake Dot has a secret life ! Sex Goddess.
Simple Cakes Are Less Expensive Than Elaborate Cakes Oh you think so, huh To stay within your budget you go for the cake with no design and the cleanest lines imaginable. Simple. A "I like simple cakes" person. Well, guess what? That might cost you. :) You might as well go for shoot-the-moon decorations. The reason: cake artists are able to hide little goofs behind the Cornelli Lace, scrolls, swags, swirls, etc. and thumb/finger dents behind flowers, lol. Cake Dot's DH (darling husband) is good at making these. Your really simple cake with no decoration has to be completely flawless -- something for which we cake artists might make you pay an arm and a leg, especially if they ice the cake on a Friday and have to remove it all on a Saturday to redo it!!! Grrrrrrrrrr. Plus travel is not kind to "no design cakes." Definitely another "grrrrrrrr" here.
Can I use fresh flowers? Yes, of course. You may also use silk or any other kind of artificial flowers but please don't use weeds!
What about the size of the wedding cake? Cake Dots has a minimum of 50 servings.
The size is based on the typical wedding-cake size served across the country - 1" x 2-1/2" x 4" high. And as for our work, we cannot emphasize enough how each cake must be done to the best of our ability and a work of art before we leave your reception site!
We try to be the best home cake bakers and proud that our cakes look like real food and are absolutely delicious. (Check out Cake Dots GUEST BOOK)
Now please note, you CAN get cheaper wedding cakes but you must realize that cheaper cakes most likely are made with cheaper ingredients, a "production line" attitude, and carelessly put together and carelessly iced cakes which result in a cheap tasting and not so pretty result. Cake Dots take tremendous pride in the taste and look of our cakes. Cake Dot often wears a head band to keep her head from swelling with pride but has to watch for the cut-off of blood flow - that would not be good, lol.
Kitchen Cakes? Cake Dots do offer “kitchen cakes” when requested and when the wedding cake is at least 130-150 servings to help the happy couple stay within their budget. We also try to finagle the wedding cake cost if we can. We want you to
Is wedding cakes Cake Dots main job? This is Cake Dot’s full-time job and passion in life in addition to her DH (darling husband). Also, it is Tad's full time job and passion in his life too -- that is besides his wife. :)
How long has Cake Dots been decorating cakes? Cake Dot has been decorating wedding cakes since 2001, and strives to offer CUSTOM cakes that reflect each individual bride’s wishes. Tad has been baking and decorating since 2005.
Are you meeting with the person who will bake, decorate, and deliver the cake? Yes, When you meet with Cake Dot or Tad, you are meeting the owners, the bakers and the decorators. We take the order. We bake the cake. We decorate the cake. We deliver and set up the cake. WHEW!!! -- 24/7 :) Cake Dots is not like a larger bakery where an order is passed from employee to employee; Cake Dot and Tad do it all. Love it.
As mentioned, Cake Dots schedules appointments to meet YOUR needs and times. We like to have your BUSINESS CALLS during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but we schedule appointments for consultations to meet your time-line,
even if that means having
consultations after 5 p.m.
Don't be afraid to ask if we can meet at such-n-such a time. We love talking and meeting with brides on their scheduled appointment days. :D Honest!! One thing though,please limit your guests to one or two, thus making a total of 2 or 3 people counting yourself.As mentioned, Cake Dot bakes from her home and space and seating is very limited.
Why is Cake Dots ONLY opened Monday through Thursday? Monday through Wednesday, and sometimes Thursdays, Cake Dots meets with brides plus starts baking for the weeks wedding cakes. Friday is wedding-cake decorating day and Saturdays are weddings, therefore, Cake Dots is actually working and delivering, setting up, and finishing the detail work on the beautiful wedding cakes. Sundays, of course, is the only day Cake Dots can get caught up with her other chores and even then, the business of cake is still being done; inventory, ordering, washing cake pans that didn't get done in a timely manner etc. Actually, Cake Dot's is busy 24/7. Cake Dots hope that everyone understands that they can't ice a beautiful wedding cake with the telephone in one hand and meeting with beautiful brides between strokes. :)
Does Cake Dots pay a fee to be recommended? Cake Dots refuse to pay someone or an establishment to recommend us; for example, The Columbus Athenaeum charges an enormous fee to be on their list and we find that unacceptable. We are PROUD that the establishments who recommend Cake Dots do so because our cakes are gorgeous as well as delicious. We do NOT MAKE DEALS TO BE RECOMMENDED.
Is the baker licensed? Cake Dots is licensed as a
retail bakery by the Franklin County Department of Agriculture,
and does carry liability insurance as well. Cake Dots is also a
member of the Better Business Bureau and a LLC/Ltd. company,
registered with the State of Ohio.
Do you give discounts? Actually, If a bride books a wedding for at least 100 servings (or more) for the month of December, January, February or March, Cake Dots will offer a discount for the brides cake. December,January, February and March are not typically wedding months, soooo, let's see what happens. Cake Dots has never done anything of this nature before, so we will give it a try. There are a couple of things that go along with this though:
Cake Toppers Let us say something here about cake toppers. Cake Dots love cake toppers -- if they are made as cake toppers. Cake Dots has had a couple of cake toppers that were nightmares to get to stand up or stay on the cake. Here is one that is notorious for falling off the cake:
See this little area here, the actual base is even smaller than this. This is NOT a cake topper. It is a beautiful figurine made by Enesco of a wedding couple and is not meant to be a cake topper. Some brides are using this and if you want to use it, please, please let Cake Dots know beforehand so we can take the right dowels etc. to prop it up and then camouflage, such as flowers, is needed to hide the ugly dowels.
See this part up here? There is nothing holding this part of the skirt up and it is HEAVY. Read my lips: H-E-A-V-Y. The figurine doesn't feel that heavy when you are holding it in your hot little hand, but when you put it on top of a small, iced cake, it decides it wants to lean and then fall and attract a lot of stressful attention, lol. This part of the skirt is the part that makes the figurine topple. Sure it looks pretty, but I must state again, be prepared to have dowels inserted here and then you need to have something to hide the dowels. As you can see, there is a fair amount of air space between the base of the figure and the portion of the flowing skirt.
This darling figurine was too large and too heavy for the top tier. Please check with Cake Dots regarding the size of your top tier and let us know if the topper you like is a touch heavier than most. Cake Dots will make adjustments to support the weight for you. After all, we want you to have the topper of your dreams. Cake Dots would have worked on the top tier for this buckeye couple if Cake Dots knew in advance of the weight. Plus, the top tier should have been la touch larger in size (diameter) for this topper to fit. Please check or let us know if you are choosing a figurine instead of an actual cake topper for your cake and we will be happy to make adjustments.
These toppers absolutely gorgeous but as you can see, they are clear so you will want to consider your background of your event center. Regarding the size and weight of these cake toppers, they are perfect.
This is a beautiful Waterford Crystal figurine. Please consider your guests and if young children will be running around the cake table. The bride informed Cake Dots of the weight of this topper so it was no problem, it was just a worry to Cake Dots about the table being bumped and this fantastic figurine falling and shattering.
Ahhhhhh, the initials. These are very pretty but very, very, very, hard (did we say very hard) to get to stand straight up on the cake. As you can see in a couple of these pictures, a wooden
skewer was needed to be secured to the initial and then wrapped with luckily found ribbon (initials G and J, the others the skewers are not showing--thank goodness). Placing these initials and getting them to stand was a touch challenging.
If you want initials or monogram on your top tier, there are several brands made especially for that purpose. Just look for little feet to be stuck into the cake when your purchase them. Cake Dot thinks initials and monograms on the top tier are absolutely beautiful but please look for feet if possible. NOTE: Cake Dots can make your initial if you want!!!
All in all, The best advice Cake Dots can give you, if you have doubts about a topper and you really want it, just give Cake Dots a call and we will be prepared to secure the topper as best we can so you can have not only the the cake of your dreams but the topper.
Cake Dots realize we get a touch wordy in our descriptions and info above, plus we repeat a lot (Cake Dot's fault), but we want to give you as much information as possible.
The above subjects are just a few things you might want to consider, and although some may not concern you as much as others, or you may have a completely different set of concerns, always remember you are free, no extra charge, to ask whatever questions you have.
Here are some other examples of toppers that Cake Dots has second thoughts about and we are hoping it will serve as a guide when you pick out a topper for your cake.
The best way to get in touch with Cake Dot or Tad is to CALL.
If Cake Dots has not contacted you in a day or two, puleeeeze give us a call. We are so sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you.
Cake Dots may have to fire their email reader :)
Where does the time go? Better yet, "where do the print-offs go?" This is a really good question and it's all Cake Dot's fault.
Cake Dot has a very hard time keeping track of the time during the working day. If you would like to have a consultation with Cake Dots and you fill in the form at the bottom of this page or on another page, and Cake Dots have not gotten back to you within a reasonable time, PLEASE call us.
Cake Dot herself prints off the information and puts it on her desk; then if it's too early to call you, she will start working on cake stuff and forget to get back to the phones. The next thing before you know it, it's really late and she and Tad are worn out; Cake Dot heads for bed and Tad heads home. We are SO SORRY but please give us a call. Once Cake Dots get into baking and decorating mode, we stay there until we hear bells, lol. So call us if we haven't answered your emails. Note: Dee, Tad's wonderful wife, has taken vacation days from her work to do our receptionist/booking duties on occasion, and this has really helped us with phone calls and scheduling consultations. However, she can't do this on a weekly basis so we are asking for YOUR help.
Please call if we haven't gotten in touch with you. Thanks.)
Annnnd, if you have read all of Cake Dots ramblings above, and you are now reading this,
Cake Dots will give you a 5% discount on your wedding cake price.
Just mention the discount to them.
But remember, you MUST mention this to Cake Dots at the consultation with confirmation of your wedding cake order; sometimes we are such ding-a-lings where memory is involved and Cake Dot's "blonde" takes over . . .
Have fun.
(effective 4-15-08)
Your Name
Your Wedding Date
Estimated # of Guests
Phone/Cell Phone
Some sort of description of what kind of cake you like plus whatever else you would like to tell Cake Dot and Tad :)
We were thrilled beyond belief to receive a complimentary copy of THE KNOT magazine and a very nice letter, telling us that we were in the publication
"BEST OF WEDDINGS 2008"
Not only that,
we were voted higher than we were in 2007.
Cake Dots noticed that the bakers who happened to receive a higher rating were actually bakery "shops" (with all the fancy ovens, mixers and lots of staff and stuff).
No home baker received a higher rating than Cake Dots!
We were totally flabbergasted and yet extremely humbled!! Cake Dots cannot express the gratitude we have for our wonderful brides -- you are the best in the world.
Again, THANK YOU so much.
Sugar Free Cakes etc. Cake Dots cannot make sugar free cakes, nor can they make gluten free or any other "special recipe" cakes. Sorry. We are downright chicken to even try because if we goof, it would most likely be a wedding disaster and ruin your wedding day. Please accept our apologies.
.
Cake Dots found the romantic meaning of flowers on the internet and thought they would share the following with you:
American Academy of Wedding Professionals™
White Carnation — remember me
Carnation — pure love
Daisies — share your feelings
Holly — domestic happiness
Honeysuckle — faithfulness
Ivy — fidelity
Purple lilac — first love
White lilac — innocence
Lilies — purity
Orange Blossom — fertility, happiness
Orchid — you are beautiful
Red Rose — I love you
White Rose — you’re heavenly
Red and White Roses together — unity
Violet — modesty
Here are some TIPS FROM CELEBRITY CAKE BAKER SYLVIA WEINSTOCK that Cake Dots
