Money-Making Wedding Cake: Creative Ways To Cash In

Wedding cakes can be expensive, with the average cake costing around $500, or $5-10 per slice. However, there are ways to save money on your wedding cake without sacrificing taste or style. One option is to make your own cake, which can be a fun and personal DIY project. Another way to save money is to opt for a smaller cake or a cake with simpler design elements. You can also use fresh flowers instead of intricate sugar flowers, or choose buttercream frosting instead of fondant. For a destination wedding, a sheet cake can be a more affordable and practical option than a traditional tiered cake.

Use a fake cake for photos and display, and serve a cheaper sheet cake to guests

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, one option is to use a fake cake for photos and display, and serve a cheaper sheet cake to your guests. Here's how to do it:

The Fake Cake

First, you'll need to create a fake cake for display and photos. This can be made from Styrofoam tiers, with the option to add a real bottom tier for cutting into during the ceremony. You can decorate it with fresh flowers, dried flowers, or other embellishments. If you're feeling creative, you can even make the fake cake yourself by stacking and frosting cardboard or Styrofoam pieces.

The Sheet Cake

For serving your guests, opt for a sheet cake. Sheet cakes are large rectangular cakes that are simpler and more affordable than a traditional tiered wedding cake. You can save up to 50% by choosing a sheet cake over a tiered cake. Work with your baker to select a sheet cake that matches the flavour and design of your fake cake. The sheet cake will be cut and served to your guests while the fake cake remains on display.

Advantages

Using a fake cake and a sheet cake can be a cost-effective option, especially if you have a large number of guests. It also allows for more flexibility in terms of cake flavour and filling. For example, if you want a delicate cake that needs to be refrigerated, such as a tres leches or whipped cream cake, a fake cake and sheet cake setup is ideal. This way, you can have the cake you want without worrying about it spoiling during the reception.

Considerations

While this option can save you money, it's important to note that the cost of a fake cake and sheet cake combination may not always be significantly cheaper than a traditional wedding cake. The price will depend on the ingredients, design, and labour involved. Additionally, you may want to ensure that your fake cake is weighted down to avoid any mishaps during the cake-cutting ceremony!

Opt for a smaller cake, as only 75% of guests tend to eat cake

If you're looking to save money on your wedding cake, opting for a smaller cake is a great idea. According to experts, only about 75% of wedding guests tend to eat cake. This means that for 150 guests, a cake with 112 servings would be more than enough.

By choosing a smaller cake, you can save on costs as the price of a cake is often determined by the number of servings or slices. You can also consider a cake with fewer tiers, as a small four-tier cake can provide more servings than a large three-tier cake, and the latter may be more expensive due to its size and volume.

To ensure you have enough cake for your guests, you can opt for a smaller display cake and then arrange a dessert bar with more cost-effective options. This way, you can still have a beautiful cake as the centerpiece, but you'll save money by providing alternative dessert options for your guests.

Another cost-saving option is to choose a one-tier or two-tier display cake for the traditional cake-cutting moment and then serve a sheet cake to your guests. Sheet cakes are large rectangular cakes that are much more affordable, and your guests will never know the difference!

Additionally, you can maximize the amount of cake you have by displaying the slices on a separate table instead of serving everyone at their seat. This way, only those who want cake will take a slice, reducing unnecessary waste. You can also serve smaller slices to make the most of your cake and save some money.

Remember to book your wedding cake baker six to nine months before your wedding when you have an estimated guest count. This will help you determine the size and number of servings you need, allowing you to stay within your budget.

Choose a simple design, as the amount of labour affects the cost

The more intricate the design, the more it will cost. Custom designs, multiple tiers, fondant flowers, metallic detailing, hand-painting, and unique shapes are all factors that contribute to a higher price tag. Elaborate sugar flowers can be extremely time-consuming to create, with each one taking anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to mould and dust.

Instead, opt for a simpler design that requires less labour and time to execute. A semi-naked cake, for example, uses less frosting and can be a more cost-effective option. Fresh flowers can also be a more affordable alternative to sugar flowers, as they take less time and are not as delicate. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own DIY wedding cake, which can save you a significant amount of money.

Another way to save money is to choose a design with fewer tiers. A small, two-tier cake can often be more affordable than a large, single-tier cake. This is because the cost of a cake is not just about the number of tiers but also the volume or number of servings. By choosing a smaller cake, you can also reduce waste, as not all guests may want a slice.

When it comes to the type of frosting, buttercream is typically less expensive than fondant. Fondant requires additional steps, materials, and can be more challenging to work with. However, if your desired design requires fondant, be sure to communicate this with your baker to avoid any unexpected charges.

Remember, a simple design does not mean sacrificing style or elegance. With a thoughtful and creative approach, you can have a beautiful and affordable wedding cake.

Use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers, which are time-consuming to make

Using fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers is a great way to save time and money when making a wedding cake out of money. Sugar flowers can be time-consuming and costly to create, as they require a high level of technical skill and attention to detail. Here are some reasons why fresh flowers are a better option:

Fresh flowers are perfect for a relaxed or rustic wedding theme. They add a natural and organic touch to the cake, with loose and messy florals that flow in a unique way. Fresh flowers can also be used to match the wedding flowers, creating a cohesive and well-planned look throughout the entire event. By working with your florist, you can choose flowers that are food-safe and won't contaminate the cake. While some fresh flowers may be poisonous or contain pesticides, your florist can help you select the right blooms and prepare them safely for the cake.

Another advantage of fresh flowers is their cost-effectiveness. They are a less expensive option compared to intricate sugar flowers, especially if you're working with a tight budget. You can order a simple cake from a luxury wedding cake designer and have your florist dress it with fresh flowers for a fraction of the cost. This way, you still get to enjoy delicious flavours and a beautiful cake without breaking the bank.

Additionally, fresh flowers are readily available and not limited by seasonality. You can choose any type of flower you desire, regardless of whether it's in season or not. This gives you more flexibility in designing your wedding cake and ensures that your vision can be brought to life.

Lastly, fresh flowers add a touch of elegance and romance to your wedding cake. They bring life and colour to the dessert table, creating a stunning visual impact. Whether you choose a simple arrangement or a dramatic cascade of blooms, fresh flowers will enhance the overall aesthetic of your wedding cake.

In summary, opting for fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers when making a wedding cake out of money is a practical and economical choice. It saves time and money while still achieving a beautiful and memorable result. By working with your florist and cake designer, you can create a stunning wedding cake that complements your theme and leaves a lasting impression.

Nix the groom's cake to save on custom theme design elements

The groom's cake is a wedding tradition that began in 19th-century England and gained popularity in the American South. It is a cake designed for the groom, inspired by his hobbies, favourite treats, or other aspects of his personality. The cake is entirely optional and is usually displayed and served alongside the main wedding cake.

The groom's cake can be an expensive addition to the wedding, as it often involves intricate designs and custom theme elements. For example, some grooms' cakes are shaped like sports stadiums, golf bags, or video game characters, requiring a significant amount of time and labour from the baker.

By eliminating the groom's cake, you can save money on the overall cost of the wedding cake. Instead, you could opt for a simpler, more affordable cake that still represents the couple's personalities and interests. This could be a good option if you are looking to cut costs without sacrificing the opportunity to showcase your interests through the dessert.

Additionally, you could consider other budget-friendly alternatives for the main wedding cake, such as using fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers, choosing buttercream over fondant, or serving a small "cutting cake" alongside a less expensive sheet cake for guests. These options can help you save money while still enjoying a delicious and personalised wedding cake.

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