The wedding cake is the ultimate symbol of celebration. It’s hard to imagine a wedding without one. The cost of a wedding cake depends on the size or number of servings, the fillings, and the icing. Typical prices run from $2 to $5 per slice. Fondant adds about $1 per slice to the cost compared to buttercream frosting. Detailed decorations can also be expensive. In addition to the cake, ask about delivery charges and cake cutting fees. There are several ways to save money on a wedding cake and we hope one of these ideas works for you.
When comparing prices for your cake, be sure to ask for a sample. Cheap cakes may not taste that great. To find a good price on a cake that you would also love to eat, consider the following.
How To Save Money on a Wedding Cake
First, be sure to check out your local supermarket bakery. Many of them have caught up to changing tastes and now offer very pretty cakes at affordable prices. You may find just what you want at a price you can afford. Volume bakers such as those located in a supermarket may require only a few weeks notice. Be sure to specify the size, number of servings, flavors, decorations, delivery date and time, and setup arrangements.
Look for bakers who work out of their homes. These talented artists can often produce an impressive cake for a reasonable price. Ask for referrals from other wedding vendors and make sure they are licensed. Home bakers are often more flexible in terms of making just the cake you want at a price you can afford.
Is there an in-house baker at your reception venue? If your caterer can also do the cake on-site, it may be cheaper and you will save on delivery charges.
Find a cake decorating instructor. Is there a craft store or community college that offers classes on cake making? Perhaps you might contract for a cake through one of these talented semipros.
Keep it simple. Order a cake with a very simple icing design or plain fondant and save over the more time-consuming (and costly) cakes the bakery may show you. Decorate the cake yourself with fresh flowers, a very pretty and inexpensive option. Sprinkle flower petals on the cake table as well. Finish with your own topper or more flowers. The cakes shown at the top of the page are accented with metallic ribbon and roses, which you can do yourself.
Assemble it yourself. Get a price on different sizes of cakes such as 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch. Amazingly, they are often cheaper than a stacked cake. Another option is to get several cakes and display them on a stand with different heights to create a nice appearance.
A naked cake, like the one shown here, is frosted with buttercream, then most of the frosting is scraped off which lends a rustic look to the finished cake. Decorating with fresh fruit, crushed nuts, and herbs is so inviting and this is something you can do yourself.
A homemade cake can be just as lovely, and sometimes tastier than a commercially made cake. The cost can be as little $.50 per slice, by far the least expensive. Cupcakes are easy to make, and everyone loves them. Make an additional small cake for the ceremonial cake cutting.
One of the biggest complaints about volume bakeries is not the cake but the frosting, which is often made with shortening and leaves a greasy aftertaste. Homemade buttercream frosting is delicious and easy to prepare. Don’t feel that you have to be an expert decorator. Swirl frosting onto the cake, then sprinkle the cake and table with rose petals. Add a few flowers or your favorite cake topper and you’re done. Be sure to remove any inedible trims before serving.
Here is a recipe for delicious homemade buttercream frosting:
I love this cake with the roses and baby breath!