We decided against having a traditional cake at our reception because 1) they're expensive and 2) they never get eaten. We've chosen instead, on having a large nanaimo bar slab instead since it's everyone's favourite. I went to Natural Bakery on Logan, who have the best nanaimo bars and they're walnut free, and asked how much it'd cost for ~200 pieces (enough for everyone to have 2 pieces). At first, they quoted me over $250 each ($1.25 per piece). When I called back to confirm the price, they said they wouldn't be able to get that much for us, but gave me the number of the bakery they buy the nanaimo bars from. I'd thought Natural Bakery made the bars on site, but it turns out, that they get them from Baker's Mark. So, I called Baker's Mark. They don't sell directly to the public, and the minimum order is $200 if I went through a commercial business. AND, Baker's Mark doesn't make the bars either! They're made by Mrs. Willamsen's in Calgary, frozen, and shipped to Winnipeg where Baker's Mark distributes them to other bakeries. I called Mrs. Willamsen's Bakery Inc in Calgary and they don't sell to the public either.
Now what?
Well, a co-worker suggested calling a different bakery so I went to Canada411.com and found Gunn's bakery and Weston bakery. Gunn's called back first and said that they make nanaimo bar slabs 24" long and 16" wide, enough for 192 pieces so everyone gets 2 1/2 pieces (if we cut them 1" x 2"). They'll deliver for an extra $8 and make it nut-free for me. Sweet!!
Brendon made our cake topper on a CNC mill. I can't really describe it, but it's so amazing that he should seriously think aobut buying and operating a mill from the basement just to make custom cake toppers!
My wedding shower is coming up in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to it. Just hope the weather holds out and we get something resembling summer.