When I planned my wedding, I was meticulous: reference boards, detailed meetings, photos of what I liked — and even what I didn’t like.
And still… the cake came out wrong.
Yes, the cake — the centerpiece of the table, the photos, the cake-cutting moment.
And you know what? It ended up teaching me some powerful lessons that I now share with every bride, host, or anyone planning a meaningful event.
Here’s what I learned — and what you absolutely need to know too:
🧠 1. Overcommunicate. Always.
When expectations are high, overcommunication isn’t annoying — it’s necessary.
I had explained the cake, tier by tier. I had sent photo references. I even created a rough collage showing exactly what I wanted.
Still, the baker — one of the most well-known in Rio — decided to “surprise me.”
And no… I didn’t want a surprise. I wanted what I asked for.
✍️ Pro tip: Add images and detailed notes to your contract. Be crystal clear — “artistic interpretation” is not your friend when you want something specific.
🛠️ 2. Good professionals are not a luxury — they’re emotional insurance.
Special moments deserve experienced, reliable vendors.
Avoid gifting arrangements or favors from friends — unless you’re truly free to give honest feedback and hold them accountable.
⚠️ When you don’t pay (or don’t pay enough), you might lose your voice. On a day that really matters, that can be painful.
📸 3. Save references of what you like — and what you don’t like
This tip applies to cakes, flowers, makeup, hair… everything.
People often bring a photo of what they want, but it’s equally important to bring pictures of what you want to avoid.
That helps the professional understand your deal-breakers.
📑 4. Document everything — with photos
In my case, the contract mentioned the cake… but didn’t include any photos, just their artistic draft. Well, I created my own collage and requested that they attach it to the contract. So when I complained, the baker claimed it was what I asked for — until I showed the original photo references I’d saved.
🔒 Always document with visuals and make sure they’re part of the official agreement.
✅ Summary: Here’s the checklist I live by now:
✔️ Work with trustworthy professionals
✔️ Pay for services (even partially — it gives you leverage)
✔️ Communicate every detail — don’t hold back
✔️ Share visual references of what you want and don’t want
✔️ Attach those visuals to your contract
✔️ Confirm everything — especially last-minute deliveries
💡 In the end, I hid the real cake (which was wrong) and used a fake cake for the table display.
Did it work? Sure.
But… the stress could’ve been avoided.
If you’re planning a wedding, a milestone birthday, a baby shower, or any event with sentimental value…
🧠 Please learn from my story. These small tips can save your big day.
Oh, I bet you still want to see the wrong cake, right? Here you go! The one on the left is the correct version.
