You need to order your cakes a few weeks in advance because your baker would also need to attend to other custom orders and you wouldn't want to be at the end of the queue as your party nears. Your baker would also need to talk to you about your cake's specifications, including the flavors and the design. As such, the two of you may need to have a series of back-and-forth exchanges first before everything is finalized. Additionally, your baker would need to source or buy all the ingredients she will need to make your cake. You may also want to know that custom fondant figures or accents need a bit more time to dry.