George Boyle
Wedding cakes can be expensive, with the average cost of a bespoke wedding cake in the UK ranging from £450 to £750. The price of a wedding cake depends on a number of factors, including the number of people it needs to serve, the design, and the amount of intricate detailing. Sugar flowers, for example, can be the 'Rolls Royce' of wedding cake decorations, but they are painstakingly created petal by petal and leaf by leaf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | The more people you need to serve, the more tiers you will need, which will increase the price. |
| Portion size | Coffee or dessert size? This depends on whether the cake is being served as a dessert. |
| Design | The design you choose will have the most impact on the cost of your wedding cake. |
| Sugar flowers | Intricate sugar flowers are painstakingly created, petal by petal, and can increase the price. |
| Intricate piping | Intricate piping detailing costs more as it takes a lot more time. |
| Supplier | Luxury designers will charge more than standard cake makers. |
| Consultation | Some suppliers will charge a consultation fee, which may be put towards the cake if you book. |
What You'll Learn
Cake size
When pricing up a wedding cake, the size of the cake is a major factor in the overall cost.
The number of guests you need to serve the cake to will determine the size of the cake you need. If you are serving a wedding cake to at least 100 guests, you will need a minimum of three to four tiers. A three-tier cake to serve 95 people from a well-known designer will cost upwards of £800, while a bespoke cake for 80 people will cost between £450 and £750.
A smaller, two-tier cake with a cutting cake or cupcakes to top up the servings will typically cost less than a larger cake with more tiers. This is because a bigger cake takes more time to bake, stack and decorate.
The size of the portions will also affect the overall cost of the cake. Wedding cakes are usually cut into 1" x 1" x depth of the cake portions, but this can vary depending on whether you are serving the cake as a dessert or with coffee.
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Number of people
The number of people you need to serve your wedding cake to will have a big impact on the price. If you need a cake for at least 100 people, you will need a minimum of three to four tiers, which will be more expensive than a smaller cake.
A bespoke wedding cake for 80 people from a luxury designer will cost anywhere from £450 to £750. A bespoke cake from a standard cake maker for the same number of people might cost between £250 and £550. An off-the-shelf three-tier cake to serve 95 people from a well-known designer will cost upwards of £800.
You can save money by going for a smaller cake (e.g. two tiers) and topping up the servings with cupcakes or a cutting cake. However, it's important to remember that the size of the cake will also affect the price per serving, as larger cakes take more time to bake, stack and decorate.
The portion size is also a factor to consider. If you are serving the cake as a dessert, you will need larger portions than if you are serving it with coffee. It's also worth noting that evening guests should be counted in your calculations as well.
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Cake design
When it comes to cake design, the sky's the limit. But, of course, the more intricate the design, the more expensive the cake will be. Sugar flowers, for example, are the "Rolls Royce of wedding cake decorations" and can be "painstakingly created, petal by petal, leaf by leaf". Intricate piping is another example of a detailed design element that will increase the cost of your cake.
If you're looking for something more affordable, a smaller cake with a cutting cake or cupcakes to top up the servings is a good option. This will typically cost less than a larger cake with all servings coming from the cake itself.
The number of tiers you choose will also impact the price. A three-tier cake, for example, will cost more than a two-tier cake. The size of the cake is also a major factor in pricing, as a larger cake will require more time and ingredients to create.
When designing your cake, it's important to consider the portion size you'll need. Will you be serving coffee or dessert-sized portions? This will depend on whether you're serving your cake as the main dessert or not.
Finally, don't forget to factor in the cost of delivery and any consultation fees when budgeting for your wedding cake.
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Cake maker
When pricing up a wedding cake, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the number of people the cake needs to serve will determine the size of the cake and the number of tiers. A cake for 100 people will require a minimum of three to four tiers, which will be more expensive than a smaller cake. The portion size is also important, as the cake may be served as a dessert or with coffee.
The design of the cake will also impact the price. Intricate details such as sugar flowers, piping, and other decorations will increase the cost, as they are time-consuming to create. The type of icing is also a factor, with iced cakes costing more than semi-naked cakes.
It is worth noting that the cost of a wedding cake also includes the time and expertise of the cake maker. A bespoke cake from a luxury designer will be more expensive than one from a standard cake maker.
To give an idea of pricing, a bespoke wedding cake from a standard cake maker in the UK can range from £250 to £550, while a luxury designer cake for 80 people can cost anywhere from £450 to £750 or more.
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Cake decorations
If you're looking for something truly special, unique, and memorable, you may want to consider handmade sugar flowers. These flowers are created petal by petal and leaf by leaf, resulting in a stunning and realistic design. However, this level of detail comes at a price, with some cake designers charging upwards of £1,000 for a cake with these decorations.
If you're working with a smaller budget, there are still plenty of options available. Semi-naked cakes, for example, start at around £575 and can be decorated with fresh flowers or simple icing designs.
When pricing up a wedding cake, it's important to consider the number of servings you'll need. A larger cake with more tiers will cost more, but it's also worth thinking about the portion size. Will you be serving the cake as a dessert, or will it be a smaller coffee-sized portion? This will impact the overall cost.
Finally, don't forget to factor in the cost of delivery and any additional charges, such as consultation fees, when budgeting for your wedding cake.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of a wedding cake in the UK depends on the number of people you need to serve it to, the design you choose, and whether you opt for a luxury designer or a standard cake maker. A bespoke wedding cake from a luxury designer for around 80 people can cost anywhere from £450 to £750, while a bespoke wedding cake from a standard cake maker might cost between £250 and £550.
The number of tiers you need will depend on the number of people you need to serve and the portion size you choose. If you need a wedding cake that feeds at least 100 people, you will need a minimum of three to four tiers, which will increase the cost.
Intricate details like sugar flowers and intricate piping will cost more as they take a lot more time.
This depends on the size and design of your cake, as well as the cake maker you choose. As a general guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from £250 to £1000 or more for a wedding cake in the UK.
