The wedding cake is as much a part of the Big Day as the bride’s dress. It makes for memorable photo ops for the happy couple, and a tasty treat for the guests. So how much should you budget? And how can you save some money? Birkat Elyon is in the business of providing beautiful (and affordable) cubic zirconia wedding rings and offers these insights in creating the perfect cake for your ceremony.
The cost for a wedding cake averages about $500, with lower-end confections costing around $300 and super-fancy ones going for as much as $1,200. The price is determined by how complicated the design is, the flavor (fancy ones like Grand Marnier will cost more), and how many tiers. More tiers make transporting it trickier and that will cost you more.
Another factor in cake price is the number of slices. If you’re planning on offering a dessert station, you won’t need a slice for every guest. Otherwise, start your budget with the number of people attending your reception.
Some smart tips for saving money on your wedding cake include:
-Serve half-slices. After cocktail hour and a big dinner, many people only eat a bite or two of the cake, so you can get away with smaller portions (and less cake).
-Stick to a simple design of one or two layers, without a lot of elaborate touches.
-Have a “fake” cake. You read that right: use a dummy cake for photos and serve slices of sheet cake to your guests.
-Opt for buttercream frosting. Yes, fondant is pretty and tasty, but it’s also a lot more expensive.
Another way to save: if you have a talented baker for a friend (and if your venue allows it), ask them to create your wedding cake. One way to say “thanks” for their special effort is with a beautiful gift of cubic zirconia jewelry; they’ll think of you every time they wear it.
With some creativity and smart planning, you’ll be able to have a stunning, affordable wedding cake…and eat it, too!