Cost-Effective Wedding Cakes: Tips For Baking On A Budget

Wedding cakes are a sweet tradition, but they can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding cake in the US is around $500, with some estimates placing it at $540 or $550, and couples spending between $300 to $700. The price depends on several factors, including the size, shape, and decorative elements of the cake. A cake for 100 people can cost $400 for a basic buttercream cake, while a plain fondant cake for the same number of people starts at $500. To save money, couples can opt for a smaller cake and supplement it with other desserts, use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers, choose buttercream over fondant, and simplify the cake's shape and design.

Opt for buttercream frosting

Wedding cakes can be expensive, with the average cost being $540 in 2023. However, there are ways to reduce this cost, such as opting for buttercream frosting instead of fondant. Buttercream is a classic, versatile, and affordable option for wedding cake frosting. It is made by combining butter, powdered sugar, and milk or heavy cream, and sometimes the butter is swapped for shortening.

Buttercream is a good choice for those who want a classic, elegant, or rustic design for their wedding cake. It can be finished in a variety of ways and is stable for up to six hours on display, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor weddings. It is also less expensive than fondant, which requires large pieces to be rolled out to cover the cake.

Italian and Swiss meringue buttercream are two popular variations that are made with egg whites, sugar, butter, and water. These types of buttercream are less sweet than the original version and may not hold up as well over time, especially in warmer temperatures. However, they can still be used to create many different designs and detailed piping on a cake.

Overall, buttercream frosting is a cost-effective, versatile, and tasty choice for a wedding cake that can be tailored to fit any style, aesthetic, and theme.

Serve half-servings

A wedding cake is a costly affair, with the average cake costing $540 in 2023. The cost is largely driven by the number of guests, with the average wedding having 115 guests. A cost-saving option is to serve half-slices of cake to your guests.

A standard wedding cake slice is about 1 inch wide and 2 inches long, and a standard 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people. If you opt for half-slices, you can effectively serve 30 people with an 8-inch cake. This means that for a guest list of 300, you would only need to order a cake for 150 people, which will result in significant savings.

Another option is to order a single-tier cutting cake for the cake-cutting ceremony and have undecorated cakes in the back to serve to your guests. This can help reduce costs, especially if you are hosting a large number of guests.

When considering the number of servings, it's important to keep in mind that not all guests may eat the cake, and some may leave half-eaten slices. Therefore, serving half-slices can be a practical and cost-effective solution to ensure that there is enough cake for everyone.

By opting for half-servings, you can still provide a delicious wedding cake for your guests while being mindful of your budget. This approach allows you to strike a balance between tradition and cost-effectiveness on your special day.

Display cake with sheet cake

Wedding cakes can be expensive, so it's no surprise that couples are looking for cost-effective alternatives. One popular option is to have a display cake, also known as a "fake cake", made from styrofoam, which is used for the cake-cutting ceremony, and then serve guests from a sheet cake, which is a simple, flat cake that is often more affordable. Here are some tips to consider if you're thinking of going with a display cake and sheet cake option for your wedding:

Cost Savings

Opting for a display cake and sheet cake can be a more cost-effective option than a large, traditional wedding cake. The display cake can be made from styrofoam, with a small piece of real cake inserted for the cake-cutting ceremony. The sheet cake, which is served to the guests, can be a more affordable alternative to a large, multi-tiered cake. However, it's important to note that a beautifully decorated sheet cake may not always be cheaper than a traditional wedding cake. The cost will depend on the size, style, and amount of decoration on the sheet cake.

Feeding Guests

A wedding sheet cake can typically feed more people than a tiered cake. A full-sheet wedding cake can feed up to 120 people, while a half-sheet cake can serve around 50-100 people, depending on the slice size. This makes it a great option for larger weddings, as you can ensure there is enough cake for all your guests without sacrificing the traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

Cake Decorations

One of the benefits of a sheet cake is that it provides a large surface area for decorations. You can work with your baker to decorate the sheet cake with flowers, fruits, textured buttercream, or other creative designs. This allows you to showcase your personal style and make a statement with your wedding cake.

Cake-Cutting Tips

If you're planning to cut the display cake in front of your guests, you can subtly mark the cake with a knife to indicate the correct slice size. For the sheet cake, consider using a cake-cutting guide or slicing jig to ensure even and accurate slices. This will help you get the most servings out of your sheet cake and avoid any buttercream smushing or crumb dragging.

Working with a Baker

When choosing a baker, be sure to discuss your specific needs and preferences. Ask about their experience with display cakes and sheet cakes, and provide them with inspiration or reference photos. It's also important to ensure that the baker can provide enough cake for your guest count and that they are comfortable with the timing and logistics of serving the sheet cake.

Choose a simple design

Choosing a simple design for your wedding cake can help you save a lot of money. The fancier the artwork, the more intricate the piping, or the more elaborate the construction, the more expensive the cake will be. Simple designs generally take less time and energy to put together, which results in a lower cost.

For example, opt for buttercream frosting instead of fondant. Buttercream is less expensive and can be easily fancied up with fresh flowers, ribbon, or simple edging designs. It also tastes better than fondant. Fondant is not only more costly but also requires extra steps and materials and can be difficult to work with.

Another way to save money is to have a "dummy cake" for display purposes and serve slices of sheet cake from the back room. This way, you only need to pay for a small cake, and your guests will still get to enjoy a delicious slice.

If you want to stick with a traditional tiered cake, consider using fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers. Sugar flowers are very labour-intensive and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to mould and dust a single bloom. Fresh flowers are a more affordable alternative and can be sourced from your wedding florist.

Finally, if you're looking for an elegant and timeless look, choose an all-white cake. A monochromatic cake coordinates with any aesthetic, especially if you're hosting a classic wedding. It also requires fewer design hours, which means less cash out of your pocket.

Simplify your flavours

Flavour is an important aspect of a wedding cake. While traditional wedding cakes were typically fruit cakes covered with marzipan and fondant icing, modern couples are no longer beholden to such traditions and can choose any flavour they like.

If you want to simplify your flavours, you can opt for a single flavour combination for your entire cake. This can be a good choice for consistency or if you're on a budget. However, if you want to add some variety, you can choose a different flavour for each tier or add additional flavours through your choice of icing, filling, soak or compote.

• Traditional flavours: If you want to stick with tradition, you can choose a classic fruit cake with marzipan and fondant icing. This type of cake has a long shelf life and was traditionally saved for the christening of the couple's first child. Other traditional flavours include chocolate, vanilla, Victoria sponge, lemon drizzle, red velvet, and sticky toffee.
• Popular choices: Vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet are some of the most popular wedding cake flavours. These classic choices offer a safe option that is likely to be enjoyed by most guests.
• Seasonal flavours: Consider the season when choosing your cake flavour. For summer weddings, light and refreshing flavours like lemon cake are popular. In contrast, warm spices like cinnamon and decadent chocolate flavours are perfect for winter weddings.
• Personalisation: Think about flavours that hold special meaning to you and your partner. This could be a shared favourite like blueberry jam or almond-milk lattes. You can ask your baker to create a unique flavour combination based on your favourite flavours.
• Simplifying costs: If you're on a budget, consider opting for a smaller cake and supplementing it with other desserts like cookies or cupcakes. Alternatively, you can choose a single-tier cutting cake for the cake-cutting tradition and have undecorated cakes in the back to serve to your guests.
• Guest preferences: While it's not necessary to please everyone's taste preferences, you may want to consider any food allergies or dietary restrictions your guests may have. Additionally, think about the other food options on your menu and choose a cake flavour that complements the overall meal.
• Cultural influences: Adding a cultural touch to your wedding cake flavour can be a great way to incorporate your family heritages. For example, a Middle Eastern flavour profile might include pistachio, figs, and sesame, while an Asian-inspired cake could feature almond and salted caramel.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose flavours that you and your partner enjoy. It's your special day, so feel free to get creative and work with your baker to find the perfect flavour combinations that reflect your tastes and personalities.

Frequently asked questions