M&S Cakes to Order: Timing, Options, Discounts & Online Guide

Few things spark a celebration like a cake from M&S. With the recent restoration of click and collect in Ireland and a new Deliveroo trial in Dublin, ordering your favourite has never been more straightforward – here’s what you need to know before you order.

Cake varieties available for order: Themed, birthday, anniversary, baby shower, Valentine’s Day ·
Maximum servings per cake (Vanilla Naked Cake): 36 ·
Discount for over 60s: 10% ·
Ordering channels: Online and in-store collection

Here are the key facts about M&S cakes to order.

How far in advance can you order an M&S cake?

M&S requires advance booking for all cake orders. While the exact lead time varies by cake type and store, the retailer allows sandwich platter orders up to 60 days ahead – a hint at general possibilities (M&S Official help page). For custom cakes, the earlier you plan, the better.

How much in advance should you order a birthday cake?

For a standard birthday cake, ordering at least two weeks ahead is recommended, especially if you want a personalised message or design. M&S began offering birthday cake delivery during UK lockdown, demonstrating they can handle short notice (British Baker – trade publication).

How far in advance should I order a custom cake?

If you need a custom message or a themed design, give M&S at least three to four weeks. Wedding cakes, for example, often require a lead time of two weeks or more (Love My Dress – wedding blog).

Can I order M&S cakes online?

Yes – M&S offers online ordering for cakes with delivery or Click & Collect across the UK and Ireland. In the UK, you can choose standard, next-day, nominated-day delivery, or collect from your nearest store (M&S Official help page). In Ireland, Click & Collect was restored in 2023, and a Deliveroo trial now delivers M&S food from Grafton Street in as little as 20 minutes (Deliveroo Ireland press release).

Are Marks and Spencer taking online orders in Ireland?

Yes – M&S Ireland accepts online orders for Food to Order, including cakes, with Click & Collect in-store and free delivery on orders over €75 (M&S Ireland food page). The Deliveroo trial in Dublin covers over 2,000 products including Colin the Caterpillar cake (Deliveroo Ireland press release). Note: Northern Ireland’s Food to Order service remains suspended due to Brexit legislation changes (M&S Official help page).

What cake flavours are popular at M&S?

M&S offers a rotating selection of flavours for celebration cakes. Based on their food-to-order menu and customer favourites, three flavours stand out.

• Chocolate – including rich chocolate fudge and Colin the Caterpillar variants (M&S Official – birthday cake page)
• Vanilla – the classic naked cake, often used for wedding and anniversary cakes (M&S Official – cakes page)
• Fruit – traditional fruit cake for special occasions (M&S Official – cakes page)

Other popular options include lemon, red velvet, and rainbow cake (M&S Official – cakes page).

What are the top 3 most popular cake flavours?

Based on M&S product range and customer demand, the top three are chocolate, vanilla, and fruit. These appear across birthday, wedding, and celebration categories.

Do M&S do birthday cakes to order?

Absolutely. M&S offers a dedicated birthday cake ordering service with personalised designs and messages. You can select from their online range and pick up in-store or have it delivered (M&S Official – birthday cake page). The Colin the Caterpillar gift bag (£20) includes cake, sweets, balloon, and gift bag (British Baker – trade publication).

Can I order a wedding cake from M&S?

Yes – M&S Food to Order includes wedding cakes. According to an M&S representative speaking to Love My Dress, they recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance to allow time for customisation and ensure availability (Love My Dress – wedding blog). The two-tier naked cake serves up to 36 people.

• Wedding cakes available via Food to Order service (M&S Official – cakes page)
• Custom messages and decorative designs possible
• Lead time recommended: 2–4 weeks

The catch: wedding cake pricing is not listed online, so you’ll need to contact your local store for a quote.

Do over 60s get 10% off at M&S?

Yes – M&S offers a 10% discount for customers aged 60 and over on eligible purchases, including cakes. The discount applies in-store and online on designated days (M&S Official help page). This can make a significant difference on larger orders: a £50 celebration cake becomes £45.

How to order an M&S cake online

Follow these steps to place your order smoothly.

1. Browse the cake range – Visit the M&S Food to Order page and select your cake (M&S Official – cakes page). Options include birthday, wedding, anniversary, and baby shower cakes.
2. Choose your delivery or collection method – Select Click & Collect, standard delivery, or next-day delivery (UK). In Ireland, use Click & Collect or Deliveroo in Dublin (Deliveroo Ireland press release).
3. Add customisation – Include a personalised message or specify a design (where available). M&S allows custom messages for birthday and wedding cakes.
4. Pick your collection date – Choose a date up to 60 days in advance. Remember, perishable items must be collected on the day they arrive in store (M&S Official help page).
5. Complete payment and confirm – Review your order, pay online, and receive a confirmation. You have 30 minutes to cancel or amend the order (M&S Official help page).
6. Collect or receive your cake – If using Click & Collect, pick up your cake within five days. Uncollected orders are returned and refunded after the fifth day (M&S Official help page).

The trade-off: online ordering offers convenience, but customisation is limited compared to a dedicated bakery. For unique designs, consider contacting M&S directly or visiting a larger store.

The specifications below detail ordering options.

Timeline of M&S cake ordering developments

• 2020 – M&S launches birthday cake delivery service during UK lockdown (British Baker – trade publication)
• 2023 – M&S restores Click & Collect for food orders in Ireland (RTE – Irish broadcaster)
• December 2023 – Deliveroo begins M&S food trial in Dublin, including cakes (Deliveroo Ireland press release)

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear

What customers and spokespeople say

“We recommend ordering your wedding cake at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability and customisation. M&S Food to Order can handle personalised messages and decorative themes.”

– M&S representative, via Love My Dress Q&A (Love My Dress – wedding blog)

“We are delighted to bring M&S food to customers in Dublin, with delivery in as little as 20 minutes. Over 2,000 products, including Colin the Caterpillar cake, are now available.”

– Deliveroo Ireland spokesperson (Deliveroo Ireland press release)

Summary: what it means for you

M&S cakes to order have never been more accessible, especially in Ireland where Click & Collect is back and delivery via Deliveroo is now an option. For UK customers, the range of delivery methods and the 10% senior discount make it a solid choice for celebrations. The catch: you need to plan ahead, especially for custom or wedding cakes. For the Irish customer, the return of Click & Collect and the new Deliveroo partnership means you can get a Colin the Caterpillar cake delivered in the time it takes to watch an episode of your favourite show. The choice is clear: order online early, use Click & Collect for reliability, or try Deliveroo for speed.

Related reading: John Lewis Online Shopping: Ireland Delivery Guide

For a detailed breakdown of pricing and size options, see our guide on M&S cakes to order prices and sizes.

Frequently asked questions