Making a Custom Cake
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to cake! Read on for the answers to all those questions (plus way more).
How it Works
We’ve worked hard to ensure our process is as stress-free and fun as it is delicious - ordering a cake from By Cenza is memorable for all the right reasons.
Step 1: Inquire
Once you’ve checked out our gallery page or Instagram and decided By Cenza is the cake artist for you, get things started by filling out our inquiry form. We recommend reaching out 6-9 months before your event.
Step 2: Book
If your date is available on our calendar (yay!), we can get the process started! A retainer reserves your date on By Cenza’s calendar. Then, we’ll book a date for your in-person tasting and design consultation. (Still deciding if By Cenza is the right choice? We are happy to start the process with a paid tasting)
Step 3: Taste
Your tasting will be held at our cake studio in Cleveland Heights. You’ll try delicious flavors from our menu and talk through all things cake! This is also where we’ll get to know each other a little better and discuss design concepts for your cake.
Step 4: Design
Using everything we’ve learned and the inspiration you’ve shared, we’ll sketch a custom design for your cake and share a formal proposal with you via email. Tweaks will be made as necessary based on your feedback. Once the design is settled, you’ll pay 50% of the balance and sign a contract.
Step 5: Prepare
As your big day approaches, we’ll work behind the scenes to ensure your cake comes together perfectly! We’ll check in to finalize any remaining details before the final balance is due. Someone from By Cenza always delivers your custom cake and ensures it’s ready for it’s moment!
Please Note: This process only applies to custom cakes. Smaller or semi-custom options are available upon request and do not include the comprehensive design phase or tastings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question you don’t see below? Fill out our inquiry form or email us!
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Definitely not! We love all types of celebrations and can create something special for just about any type of event. We offer custom cakes for any occasion, from birthdays to baby showers and anything else worth celebrating!
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All cakes are priced depending on the complexity of the design and the number of serving sizes. Our decorated cakes begin at $12/serving, with additional sheet cakes outside the decorated servings priced at $5.50/serving Typically, total servings needed is made up from a combination of both the decorated cake and additional kitchen cake(s). The typical investment for a wedding of 125-150 guests is $1500. Cakes for smaller events can range from $300-$800.
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Our minimum order for the fully-custom cake process is $800. This is the starting price for cakes that serve 75 guests. We are able to take on custom cake projects that do not meet this minimum (based on serving size) on a case-by-case basis. We offer semi-custom and flash cakes for clients that want the By Cenza experience on a smaller scale!
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Starting in 2025, By Cenza is excited to start offering gluten-free cakes! We currently do not offer vegan cakes.
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Our menu changes yearly as we dream up and perfect new flavor combinations, but it typically includes 8 flavors for you to choose from.
To give you a little taste of what to expect, here are a few of our favorite flavors from current & previous menus:
Lavender + Blueberry (lavender cake, lemon buttercream, blueberry compote)
Chocolate + Pistachio (chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, roasted pistachios, cinnamon, white chocolate + pistachio ganache)
Berry + Peppercorn (vanilla cake, balsamic berries, pink peppercorn dark chocolate ganache)
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At this time we only offer buttercream cakes on a very limited basis. Our preferred medium is fondant, as it gives Haley the perfect blank canvas to create edible art with endless possibilities!
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We love the decorating process so much, we insist that all cakes are executed and finished entirely by our team! We do not make cakes to be finished with fresh flowers, preferring to craft handmade sugar flowers instead. (Check out our cake gallery to see them in all their realistic glory!)
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Haley’s passion for creating edible art means she’s not interested in simply baking your cake, but in designing something 100% from the ground up. She has spent years honing her sugar flower craft, and they provide the perfect medium to express her creativity and create something totally unique for each client.
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Prior to the consultation, you will fill out an initial questionnaire where you can share any details on your vision for your cake. We also ask that you bring along inspiration images to your tasting! We love seeing other elements of your event, like invitations, florals, dresses or jewelry, but don’t limit yourself. It could be something you really like, something funny or meaningful to you. From a concert poster to a photo of a building you really love, just about anything can be used as inspiration! We have the most fun when your inspiration forces us to think outside the box.
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Yes! We deliver everywhere. Our delivery fee starts at $50 and goes up depending on distance. We are currently based in Cleveland Heights. We are happy to provide a delivery estimate during the inquiry stage.
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