The wedding cake has been an important part of the marriage celebration ever since ancient Roman times, when a thin loaf of bread was broken over the bride's head to ensure fertility. Today couples must choose from a wide variety of flavors such as carrot, amaretto, hazelnut, mocha, mint, and apricot in addition to the traditional white cake. Cheesecakes and cheesecake-torte combinations are also popular.

Check out the following cake tips to ensure sweet success when shopping for your "tiers of joy". Also be sure to visit with our Cakes & Sweets pages for more information.

* The cake should be selected about three months before the wedding. This will ensure enough time to make any changes or adjustments.

* The size of the cake is determined after the guest list is finalized. Your baker will be able to guide you to the correct size given the number of guests and the desired amount of leftover cake desired. Many couples freeze the top tier in order to celebrate with on their 1st Anniversary.

* One option for the budget-conscious is to purchase a smaller tiered cake for display and supplement with the same flavor of sheetcake. The sheetcake costs less per slice than the tiered cake, and your guests won't know the difference if you are consistent with the type of cake.

* It is a good idea to have your baker deliver the cake directly to the reception site. He or she will come equipped for any last minute touch-ups and will often arrange the flowers or other decorations on the cake to ensure that it's picture perfect for you and your guests.

* Shop around and sample the cakes. Prices vary widely and you can expect to pay anywhere from $1.25 to well over $3.50 per slice. Be sure to find out exactly what the baker considers a serving size.

* Be very careful of the "fly by night" limo companies. To help detect them, ask the following:

* The bride should check with the baker at least five days before the wedding to confirm the delivery date and time.

* At the reception, just before dessert is to be served, the groom places his right hand over the bride's and they cut into the cake's bottom layer. They then feed each other bites of the first slice. This gesture symbolizes their willingness to share a household. The catering staff or other designated person then cuts and serves the rest of the cake to the guests.