Affordable Wedding Cakes: Diy Guide For Couples

Wedding cakes can be expensive, with the average cost being around $500 to $600, but they can go up to $20,000. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of ways to save money on your wedding cake without sacrificing style or taste. You could opt for a simple design, use buttercream instead of fondant, serve half-servings, or even make your own cake.

Opt for buttercream frosting

Opting for buttercream frosting is a great way to save money on your wedding cake. Not only is it cheaper, but it also tastes better than fondant, which is generally considered less tasty. Fondant is more durable and versatile for decorations, but it is also more expensive and requires extra steps and materials. Buttercream, on the other hand, is made from basic ingredients such as milk, butter, and sugar, which are easy to source and affordable.

The average price of a slice of cake with buttercream frosting is around $4, while fondant-covered cake slices start at $5. This price difference can add up quickly, especially if you have a large guest list. By choosing buttercream, you can save up to $1 per slice, which can result in significant savings overall.

Another advantage of buttercream is that it is easier to work with. Fondant can be difficult to handle and may require more time and precision to achieve a smooth finish. Unless you are aiming for a very pristine look, buttercream is a more straightforward and cost-effective option.

If you are concerned about the cake melting, especially during warm weather, there are ways to mitigate this issue without opting for fondant. Proper refrigeration and timely delivery to the venue are crucial. Discuss logistics with your baker and ensure that the cake will be set up in a suitable location at the venue, away from direct heat or humidity.

Buttercream frosting is a delicious and budget-friendly choice for your wedding cake. It can help you reduce costs without sacrificing taste or aesthetics. By selecting buttercream, you'll have more room in your budget for other important aspects of your special day.

Choose fresh flowers over sugar flowers

Flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding cake, but sugar flowers can be very expensive. Sugar flowers are extremely labour-intensive, with each bloom taking anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to mould and dust. This means that opting for sugar flowers can significantly increase the cost of your cake.

Fresh flowers, on the other hand, are a more cost-effective option. They are just as lovely as sugar flowers but cost less. You can work with your wedding florist to source pesticide-free and food-safe blooms that won't break the bank.

If you have a small budget for your wedding cake, it's best to keep the design simple. A single bold accent piece on an otherwise simple cake can be a great way to keep costs down while still having a beautiful and memorable cake.

When choosing fresh flowers for your cake, be sure to order exactly what you want from a florist. You can also ask your florist to provide some extra blooms that match your bouquet or other wedding flowers. This will ensure that your cake looks cohesive with the rest of your wedding decor.

Additionally, if you're handy in the kitchen, you can save money by making your own cake. A simple, rustic cake with fresh flowers is definitely achievable for a beginner baker. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to practice and plan for transporting the cake to your venue.

Go for a simple, small cake

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, opting for a simple, small cake is a great way to go. Here are some tips to achieve this without sacrificing style or taste:

Go for a simple design

A clean, streamlined, and small wedding cake decorated with buttercream icing and a few fresh flowers will cost less than a cake with lots of tiers and elaborate designs. Simple wedding cakes are also trendy, so you can easily find inspiration and ideas. Choose a cake with a simple design, such as a square or round shape, and minimise the extravagant details that require a lot of time and technical skill. This will help you save on decorating fees, as well as cutting and serving fees.

Opt for buttercream over fondant

Buttercream not only tastes better to most people, but it's also cheaper—sometimes by up to $1 per slice. Fondant is more durable than buttercream and won't melt in warm temperatures, but it's generally less tasty and more expensive.

Choose a smaller cake with sheet cakes to supplement

Even if you're having many guests at your wedding, you don't need a huge, expensive cake. Ask your baker to create a small, decorated cake for display and photos, and then supplement with sheet cakes to ensure you have enough servings for all your guests. Sheet cakes are cut and served from the kitchen, so you'll still have a stunning cake for your reception at a lower cost.

Be mindful of flavours and fillings

Basic flavours like vanilla and chocolate will generally cost less than complex flavours like carrot cake or espresso. Unfilled cakes also tend to be cheaper than those with special fillings, such as fruit, mascarpone cream, custard, ganache, or mousse.

Ask about the standard slice size

Bakeries base their serving sizes on a standard slice size, but the actual size can vary between bakeries. A larger slice size will mean you need to order more cake, so be sure to ask about this when discussing your options with your baker.

By following these tips, you can have a beautiful and delicious wedding cake without breaking the bank!

Serve half-servings

A great way to save money on your wedding cake is to serve half-servings, or smaller slices. Most people only eat a few bites of their cake, so you can get away with budgeting for half a slice of cake per person. This means that if you're having 200 guests, you'll only need to order a cake that serves 100. This is a particularly good option if you're serving an additional dessert alongside the wedding cake.

The average price of a slice of cake is around $4 for buttercream and $5 for fondant, so opting for half-servings can save you a lot of money, especially if you have a large number of guests.

When deciding on the size of your cake, it's important to consider how many slices you'll need. Here are the general measurements for the number of slices you can expect from different cake sizes:

• 6" tier = 12-14 slices
• 8" tier = 24-26 slices
• 10" tier = 38-40 slices
• 12" tier = 56 slices
• 14" tier = 78 slices
• 16" tier = 100 slices

If you're trying to save money, it's also a good idea to choose a cake with simpler decorations and flavours. A clean, streamlined cake decorated with buttercream icing and a few fresh flowers will cost less than a cake with lots of tiers and elaborate designs. Similarly, basic flavours like vanilla and chocolate will usually cost less than complex flavours like carrot cake or espresso.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask your baker about ways to save money. They may be able to suggest cost-cutting options or provide a quote for a simpler cake.

Make your own

Making your own wedding cake can be a stressful and time-consuming task, but it is possible to do so on a budget. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own wedding cake:

Planning

Firstly, you will need to decide how many people you need to serve. This will determine the size of your cake. Here is a general guide to the number of slices you will get from different cake sizes:

• 6” tier = 14 slices
• 8” tier = 26 slices
• 10” tier = 40 slices
• 12” tier = 56 slices
• 14” tier = 78 slices
• 16” tier = 100 slices

You will also need to source a recipe specifically designed to be a wedding cake, as this will ensure that it is sturdy enough and that it makes the right amount of batter and icing. For a three-tier cake, you will need to make three cakes of 12", 9" and 6", as well as a large amount of icing. Most three-tier cake recipes have a step-by-step schedule for when you will need to bake and assemble each part.

Tools

Once you have your recipe, assemble all the tools you will need. This includes:

• Ingredients for baking and icing
• 12", 9" and 6" cake pans, each 3" tall
• Parchment paper to line the pans
• Large serrated knife
• Cardboard cake boards in 12", 9" and 6"
• 10 non-flexible straws
• Platter to serve the cake on
• Pastry bag with a round tip between size 3 and 7 for piping, and a toothpick for tracing
• Decorations like fresh flowers, cake toppers, etc.
• Lazy Susan to use when decorating the cake

Decorating and Storing

Before you begin, think about how you want to decorate your cake and practice piping or icing. You can easily make extra icing and practice shapes on test cakes or silicone mats. Secure your chosen decorations, such as a wedding topper or flowers, well before the wedding. If you are using fresh flowers, be sure to order exactly what you want from a florist.

You will also need to clear a large space in the refrigerator, perhaps taking out a shelf for the cake. Finally, arrange transport for the cake to the wedding venue and speak to the caterer or venue manager about cake transport and refrigeration details.

On the Day

On the day of the wedding, you will need to ensure that the cake is set up and displayed correctly. This may involve assembling the tiers, adding any final decorations, and arranging the cake on a stand or table. It is important to handle the cake carefully and ensure that it is secure, especially if it is a multi-tier cake.

Tips

• Keep it simple: opt for a rustic or simple design that is achievable without professional equipment or skills.
• Practice beforehand: make a test cake and keep careful notes so that you know what to expect and can identify any potential issues.
• Be realistic: making your own wedding cake can be stressful and time-consuming, so consider the cost of your time and effort as well as the expense of ingredients.
• Ask for help: enlist the assistance of your bridesmaids, family, or friends to help with baking, decorating, or transporting the cake.
• Consider alternatives: if making a cake is too challenging, consider alternative desserts such as pie, ice cream, or an ice cream sundae bar.

Frequently asked questions