Questions

Custom Cake and Wedding Cake FAQ

Timelines, pickup windows, transport, dietary options, deposits and cancellations — the practical answers, before you order.

Questions about custom cakes, the design process, or how Marin Cake Studio works are answered below. This covers the ones we are asked most: how a cake gets designed, how far ahead to order, pick-up and delivery, and dietary options.

If your question isn't answered below, don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to discuss your specific situation and help you understand how we can create the perfect custom cake for your celebration.

Pick up Instructions

Saturday Pickup Hours: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Sunday Pickup Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Monday through Friday: By appointment only

Please arrive at the time you agreed with us. The two windows above are standing and need no arranging; any other time is set when you order. Weekend pickups end at 10 AM because weddings, deliveries and events follow immediately after, so a late arrival on a Saturday or Sunday cannot be accommodated.

If someone else will be picking up your order, please make sure they have all pickup information, including the pickup date, time, address, and transportation instructions.

For safe transportation, all cakes should be placed on a flat, level surface such as the floorboard of a vehicle or the flat cargo area of an SUV. Cakes should NEVER be placed on a seat, lap, or uneven surface, as they can shift during transport. Air conditioning is encouraged, but please avoid having heat or hot air blowing directly onto the cake.

Once your order leaves Marin Cake Studio, its safe transportation and storage are in the hands of the person picking it up. Please drive carefully, avoid sudden stops and sharp turns, and keep the cake level until it reaches its destination.

Following these keeps the cake looking the way it did when it left the studio.

Frequently asked

What products do you offer?

Marin Cake Studio designs custom cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes and custom sugar cookies, each one made for a specific event. Every order starts with a conversation rather than a menu, so tell us what you are celebrating and we will design to it.

What are your pick-up times?

Marin Cake Studio works by appointment, at the San Rafael studio, generally between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Two weekend windows are standing and need no arranging: Saturdays 8:30 to 10:00 AM and Sundays 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Any other time is set when you place the order.

What is the pick up address?

Marin Cake Studio is at 1545 4th Street, Suite C, San Rafael, CA 94901. The suite number matters — another cake business shares the street address.

How do I transport my cake?

Marin Cake Studio recommends placing your cake flat on the floor of your vehicle or in the back of an SUV. Avoid the seat of a car, as the uneven surface may cause the cake to lean or shift during the drive. The studio is not responsible for a cake once it is picked up. If you need help loading, ask us.

Can someone else pick up my order?

Someone else can collect your order. Send us their name and phone number, and make sure they know the time you agreed. If that time is one of the standing weekend windows, it matters more than usual: we leave at 10 AM sharp on Saturdays and Sundays for wedding deliveries, so a late arrival means a missed cake.

Do my cake or cupcakes need to be refrigerated?

Yes, all cakes and cupcakes should be refrigerated until 1-2 hours before your event to maintain their freshness.

I don’t see what I want on your website. Can you create a custom cake?

Everything Marin Cake Studio makes is custom, so nothing on the website is a fixed catalogue. Send the ideas or photographs you have been collecting and we will design from those.

Do you make edible photo cakes or cookies?

Marin Cake Studio makes edible photo cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Send the image at the highest resolution you have and we will handle the printing.

How far in advance should I order my cake or cupcakes?

Most Marin Cake Studio orders are booked two weeks out, and four to six weeks during wedding season, May through October. If your date is sooner than that, get in touch anyway — we sometimes have room.

How far in advance should I order cookies?

Custom sugar cookies are more detailed and time-consuming, so Marin Cake Studio needs a minimum of two weeks’ notice, and three to four during wedding season, May through October.

Do cookies need to be refrigerated?

No, cookies should be stored in a cool, dry place. They will stay fresh for 10 days or more.

How are the cookies packaged?

Each cookie is individually packaged in a clear bag and heat-sealed to ensure freshness.

Do you offer delivery?

Marin Cake Studio delivers and sets up wedding cakes above a minimum order value, and confirms that minimum when the cake is quoted. Every other order — birthday cakes, cupcakes and cookies — is pick-up only, from the San Rafael studio.

Do you offer gluten-free, vegan, dairy free or nut free items?

Marin Cake Studio offers gluten free, dairy free and vegan cakes in San Rafael and across Marin County, by request. Gluten free cakes, cupcakes and custom sugar cookies, dairy free cakes and cupcakes, and vegan cakes are all available. While we take great care in preparation, our kitchen is shared and not a certified gluten free, dairy free, or vegan facility, so cross contact may occur. We do not offer nut free products at this time. Each option is a separate modification and they cannot be combined, so no item is both gluten free and dairy free, or gluten free and vegan. These options are for dietary preference. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us before ordering so we can discuss whether our products are a good fit for your needs.

Do you accommodate food allergies?

Marin Cake Studio is a small operation and everything is baked on the same equipment, which handles nuts, tree nuts, soy, eggs, dairy and wheat, so cross contact is possible on any order. We clean equipment thoroughly before baking gluten free or vegan items, but they are made on that same equipment. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us before ordering so we can discuss whether our products are a good fit for your needs. We cannot take responsibility for anyone with those allergies who eats our products at an event where we are not present.

How many servings will my cake provide, and how should I cut it?

Serving count depends on tier sizes and how the cake is cut, so we confirm the number for your specific design when we quote it. Tell us your guest count on the inquiry form and we will size the cake to it. Cutting instructions go out with every order at pickup or delivery.

What is your payment policy? (excluding weddings)

A 50% deposit and acceptance of our terms confirm your order. Cake and cupcake orders must be paid in full one week before pickup. Cookie orders must be paid in full two weeks before the event. Orders placed inside those windows are paid in full at the time of ordering.

What is your cancellation policy? (excluding weddings)

Once payment is received, in part or in full, your order is considered final. Cake and cupcake orders cancelled within one week of pickup are not refunded. Cookie orders cancelled within two weeks of pickup are not refunded. If you need to cancel outside those windows, contact us as early as you can.

What is your pick-up and delivery policy?

Once your order is picked up, Marin Cake Studio is not responsible for any damage to cakes, cupcakes or cookies once you have left our location. We recommend placing your cake flat on the floor of your vehicle or in the back of an SUV for safe transport. If you need help loading your order, please ask. For wedding cakes and cupcakes delivered to a venue, Marin Cake Studio is not responsible for any damage that occurs after delivery and setup. While we take every precaution to ensure safe delivery and setup, we cannot be held liable if the cake is moved by the venue staff, caterer, or someone from the wedding party. We take photos of all cake setups upon delivery for your reference.

How ordering works

The practical part, up front

Lead time

2 weeks typical · 4–6 in season

To reserve

50% deposit holds your date

Pickup

1545 4th Street, Suite C · San Rafael

Serving

Marin County · San Francisco · Napa · Sonoma

Most orders are booked two weeks out; four to six weeks during wedding season (May–October). If your date is sooner than that, get in touch anyway — we sometimes have room.

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