Inexpensive Wedding Cakes: Diy Guide For Couples

Planning a wedding can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on your dream cake. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful, yet affordable, wedding cake.

Firstly, consider making your own cake. This can be a fun and cost-effective option, but it is important to be realistic about the time and effort involved. If you do decide to make your own cake, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to practice and prepare. Another option is to enlist the help of a friend or family member who enjoys baking.

If you prefer to leave it to the professionals, there are still ways to save money. One idea is to opt for a simple design. Elaborate sugar flowers, hand painting, and detailed piping can add significantly to the cost. Instead, consider using fresh flowers, stencils, or a simple buttercream finish. You could also choose a smaller display cake for the ceremony and supplement it with undecorated kitchen cakes or sheet cakes to serve your guests.

Another way to save money is to choose a bakery instead of a specialty cake designer. Bakeries often offer a good selection of flavours and are experts at creating delicious cakes. They may also be more affordable than a specialty designer, who is essentially an artist.

Finally, don't be afraid to negotiate and ask for advice. Be upfront about your budget and ask your baker for suggestions on how to create a beautiful cake within your price range. You could also ask about any potential discounts or package deals.

With a little creativity and flexibility, it is possible to have a stunning and delicious wedding cake without breaking the bank.

Use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, one way to do so is to opt for 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. This will increase the cost of labour and working hours.

Fresh flowers, on the other hand, are a more affordable alternative. To save costs, choose a simple cake with three or four large flowers, like dahlias, or a spray of flowers and greenery on a one-tier wedding cake. Work with your wedding florist to source pesticide-free and food-safe buds that won't break the bank.

If you're worried about the weight of fresh flowers, you can also opt for flat designs such as painted flower motifs. This will be cheaper than intricate, three-dimensional sugar flowers.

Another tip to save money on your wedding cake is to book your wedding cake baker between six to nine months before your wedding. This will give you a ballpark guest count to estimate how much cake you'll need and help you decide on the level of detail you want in the design while keeping your budget in mind.

Choose buttercream over fondant

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, choosing buttercream over fondant is a good place to start. Not only is buttercream made with more basic, accessible ingredients, but it's also generally less expensive. Fondant, on the other hand, requires extra steps and materials and can be more difficult to work with.

Cost-Effective

Buttercream is made with simple, everyday ingredients like butter, sugar, and flavourings, which are easy to source and typically inexpensive. Fondant, on the other hand, requires additional ingredients like corn syrup, glycerine, or gelatin, which can add to the cost.

Flavour

Buttercream has a rich, buttery flavour that is well-loved and preferred by many. It also pairs well with a variety of cake flavours and can be infused with additional flavours like citrus or cream cheese. Fondant, on the other hand, has an intense sweetness that may be too much for some palates, especially when paired with the buttercream or ganache underneath.

Texture

Buttercream has a light, creamy texture that complements the crumb of the cake. It is softer and less intense than fondant, providing a silky backdrop for other decorations. Fondant, in comparison, has a rubbery or leathery texture that some may find too chewy.

Ease of Use

Buttercream is softer and easier to work with than fondant. While it still requires practice to achieve a smooth finish or sharp edges, it is more forgiving than fondant, which needs experience to look neat and intentional. Fondant is also harder to patch up if mistakes are made.

Storage

Buttercream-frosted cakes require refrigeration, especially in warm temperatures, but they are generally easier to store than fondant cakes. Fondant should not be refrigerated, and it can be affected by heat and humidity, making it more challenging to maintain its appearance.

Design Flexibility

Buttercream is a versatile choice and works well with a variety of cake designs. It can be used to create rustic, laid-back styles or more formal, sophisticated looks. Fondant, while offering a smooth and polished finish, is better suited for traditional or intricate designs.

In summary, choosing buttercream over fondant for your wedding cake can be a great way to save money without sacrificing taste, texture, or design. It is a cost-effective, versatile option that is generally easier to work with and store, making it a popular choice for couples looking to create a beautiful and delicious wedding cake on a budget.

Opt for a simple design

Opting for a simple design is a great way to save money on your wedding cake. Here are some tips to achieve an elegant yet affordable confection:

• Choose a minimalist design: A simple wedding cake can still be stunning and elegant. Consider a classic all-white cake with light adornments such as fresh flowers, greenery, or fruit. You can also add a touch of glitz with metallic foil or pearl-like fondant.
• Go for a semi-naked or naked cake: A semi-naked cake with a thin layer of frosting or a naked cake with no frosting at all can be a beautiful and budget-friendly option. This style is perfect for a rustic or bohemian wedding.
• Use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers: Sugar flowers are labour-intensive and can increase the cost of your cake. Opt for fresh flowers or edible flowers instead. You can also use stencils or edible mats to create lace or other patterns, which are more cost-effective than hand-piping.
• Keep it small: A smaller cake will cost less. Consider a one- or two-tier cake for your wedding. You can also supplement with "kitchen cakes" or undecorated sheet cakes to serve additional guests.
• Choose buttercream over fondant: Fondant is more expensive and difficult to work with. Buttercream is a more affordable and classic option.
• Be flexible: Avoid intricate designs, hand-painting, or sculpted cakes. Instead, opt for simple techniques such as stencilling or using fresh flowers.
• Pick a simple flavour: Some bakeries charge more for premium flavours like red velvet or banana. Opt for a classic flavour like vanilla or chocolate to keep costs down.
• Serve cupcakes: Cupcakes are a more affordable option, and you can still have a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting moment.

Go for cupcakes

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to a traditional wedding cake, cupcakes are a great option. Simple cupcake towers are the most affordable choice as you save on decorating, cutting, and serving fees since cupcakes are already portioned and ready to go.

The average wedding cupcake costs around $3 per cupcake, so for a 150-person wedding, cupcakes are likely to be more affordable than a large cake. However, for a 300-person wedding, cupcakes may end up being more expensive.

• Go for a small cake and cupcake tower: Most brides will still order a small cake or top tier for their cupcake towers. This way, you can have your cake cutting ceremony and the option to save the top tier for your first anniversary.
• Order enough cupcakes: Most bakers recommend ordering enough cupcakes for each guest to have an average of one and a half cupcakes. For 50 people, you'll need 60-70 cupcakes, and for 200 people, you'll need around 220 cupcakes.
• Choose a simple design: Opt for a simple design with minimal decorations to keep costs down. Fresh flowers or a small cluster of sugar flowers can be a beautiful and affordable addition.
• Compare prices: Shop around and get quotes from different bakeries to find the best price. Supermarkets or warehouse stores like Costco or BJ's may offer more affordable options.
• Ask about delivery costs: Don't forget to factor in delivery and setup charges, which can add to the overall cost.
• Be mindful of your guest count: Ordering cupcakes for a smaller number of guests will help keep costs down. You can also consider having a mix of cupcakes and "kitchen cakes" (undecorated sheet cakes) to supplement the main decorated cupcakes.
• DIY: If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own cupcakes, but be prepared for some stress and last-minute hiccups.

With these tips in mind, you can have a beautiful and delicious cupcake wedding cake that won't break the bank.

Have a backup cake

A backup cake is a great way to save money on your wedding cake. This is also known as a "kitchen cake". It is a simple, undecorated sheet cake that serves as a supplement to the main decorated cake. It can cost half as much as a decorated cake, but will taste just as good.

For example, if you have 150 guests and your cake costs $10 per slice, the total cost would be $1500. However, if you reduce the decorated cake to 100 servings and make the rest a kitchen cake at $4 per serving, you will save $300.

Most bakeries will be happy to provide a kitchen cake, but some may have a minimum order requirement for decorated cakes before they can provide a kitchen cake. For instance, if the minimum order is 100 decorated servings, you cannot order 50 decorated servings with 450 kitchen cake servings.

Having a backup cake allows you to have a stunning display cake while still keeping costs down. It also ensures that there is enough cake to serve all your guests without having to order a larger, more expensive decorated cake.

When ordering a kitchen cake, be sure to communicate your requirements clearly to the bakery and ask about any minimum order requirements to avoid disappointment.

Frequently asked questions