When should you book your wedding cake?

How far in advance should you book?

Your cake maker can only make a limited number of cakes each weekend, so the most important thing is to secure your date. Bridebook recommends booking 9 to 12 months ahead for weddings between May and September, and notes that popular cake makers can be booked a full year ahead for Saturdays. The Irish wedding site weddingsonline gives the same advice: book 9 to 12 months before, then finalise your design around 3 months before the day.

For a winter or midweek wedding you may have a little more flexibility, but it is still worth getting in touch as soon as your venue is confirmed.

When are the busiest wedding dates?

Knowing the peak dates helps you judge how early to book:

• Busiest months: across the UK, August (17% of weddings), May (13%) and September (12%) are the most popular months, according to Bridebook's 2026 UK Wedding Report. Galgorm, one of Northern Ireland's best known venues, has also reported August as its most popular month.
• Busiest days: Saturday accounts for 47% of UK weddings and Friday for 17%. In Ireland, 73% of weddings are on a Friday or Saturday, and Thursday weddings make up another 16%.
• Long engagements: the average UK engagement is now almost two years, and 38% of Irish couples were engaged for more than two years. Many couples start planning their cake well over a year ahead.

Your wedding cake timeline

1. 12 to 9 months before. Book your venue, then contact cake makers to check your date. Send your date, venue and rough guest numbers using our enquiry form.
2. 9 to 6 months before. Taste flavours. Our sample box lets you choose your favourite 6 of this week's flavours to try at home.
3. 8 to 5 months before. Design your cake with your cake maker and secure your date with a deposit. Bring photos, your colour scheme and your florist's details.
4. 3 to 2 months before. Finalise your design, flavours for each tier and portion numbers. Our serving guide helps with sizes.
5. 4 to 2 weeks before. Confirm final guest numbers, the delivery time and where the cake will sit at the venue.
6. The day. Your cake is delivered and set up before guests arrive. Read about delivery and set-up.

What if my wedding is sooner?

Don't panic. Cake makers sometimes have space, especially outside peak season or on weekdays. Get in touch as soon as you can with your date and we will let you know straight away if we are available.

Frequently asked questions