Alexandria Pastry Shop & Catering Company, 703-578-4144. This shop uses real butter and cream from Shenandoah Valley creameries and chocolate from Belgium and France. Prices start at $5.25 a person.
Ann Amernick, Chevy Chase; 301-718-0434. Amernick works with sugar flowers to create elegant designs. Brides love her signature chocolate toffee torte. Servings start at $6.
Cakelore, Centreville; 703-830-8163. Loretta Nicholas creates unique designs, including a wedding cake replica of the US Capitol and a cake covered with edible butterflies. Prices start at $6 a person.
CakeLove, Northwest DC; 202-588-7100. Warren Brown’s cakes and cupcakes are topped with buttercreams in flavors including amaretto, dark chocolate, and peanut butter. Brides like the cupcake trees. Prices start at $4.50 a person.
Cakes Unique, Falls Church; 703-533-0649. Narcisa Vieira-Castillo’s designs range from traditional to whimsical; flavors include vanilla chiffon with dulce de leche mousse. Prices start at $6.50 a person.
Connie’s Cake Creations, Herndon; 703-860-2661. Connie Schweizer wins raves for her marble swirl cake with chocolate mousse filling and her almond butter cake with raspberry. Prices start at $3 a person.
Creative Cakes, Silver Spring; 301-587-1599. In business for 26 years, this shop offers free monthly open houses where couples can sample cakes. Specialty flavors include red velvet, black Russian, and carrot. Prices start at $4.50 a person.
Especially for You, Alexandria; 703-660-9592. Jo Ann Kottkamp customizes cake flavors and designs—some inspired by the bride’s gown or flowers. Prices start at $4.50 a person.
Fancy Cakes by Leslie, Gaithersburg; 301-548-9390. Our top vote-getter, Leslie Goldman-Poyourow makes cakes with three layers of fillings—choose among flavored buttercreams, white or dark chocolate mousses, liquors, and fresh fruit. Servings start at $6.25.
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, Arlington; 703-527-8394. This German-style bakery uses a moist pound cake in vanilla, lemon, orange, spice, or almond for weddings. Prices start at $3.75 a person.
Hollin Hall Pastry Shop, Alexandria; 703-768-9643. Brides like the chocolate and white chocolate mousse cakes; cookies shaped like wedding cakes are popular. Prices start at $6.50 a person.
Kendall’s Cakes, Falls Church; 703-536-2200. Kendall Barrett can use family recipes in her cakes, which are made with European-style butter and French chocolate. Brides rave about her carrot cake. Prices start at $6 a person.
Pastries by Randolph, 4500 Lee Hwy., Arlington; 703-243-0070. This shop will create cakes that replicate a photograph on top. Fillings include buttercreams and mousses flavored with fruit or liquor. Cakes start at $4 a person.
Pâtisserie Poupon, Georgetown, 202-342-3248; Baltimore, 410-332-0390. This bakery offers traditional cakes and croquembouche, a French-style wedding cake made with cream puffs. Prices start at $4.50 a person.
Patty Collette’s Patty Cakes, Annandale; 571-338-2469. Patty Collete has designed cakes for members of the Rockefeller family; one cake was topped with a sugar replica of the gazebo where the couple married. Prices start at $10 a person.
A Piece of Cake, Ashburn; 571-333-6826. Rocio Diaz offers 28 flavors and 15 fillings, all made from scratch. Prices start at $5.20 a person.
Rae Bakes, Northwest DC; 202-333-4967. Brides like Raeanne Hytone’s sugar cookies, designed in the shape of bridal gowns, bouquets, and mini tiered cakes. Most cookies $6 to $12.
SugarBakers, Catonsville; 410-788-9478. SugarBakers creates interesting designs using edible or fresh flowers. Prices start at $4.50 a person.
The Sweet Life, Annandale; 703-750-3266. Norman Davis is an award-winning chocolatier; his cakes feature custom-made chocolate molds. Prices start at $3.55 a guest.
