The Wedding Cake: Splurge Or Save?

A wedding cake is a big deal. It's the pièce de résistance of the big day. It's a detail so significant that it has its own moment at the reception. It's a show-stopping moment, so why place it in the corner of your reception space?

The wedding cake is an opportunity to capture your relationship, impress your guests, and give you a sugar fix. It's now a means of showcasing the couple’s personalities, uniqueness, and even their story.

The average wedding cake for an event of 100 to 150 guests costs anywhere from $300 to $800, according to Fash. On the lower end, couples might spend $125, but on the higher end, they could spend upward of $1,000 on their dessert.

There are ways to save money on your wedding cake. You could opt for a smaller size, supplement with a sheet cake, or stick with a simple design.

The cost of a wedding cake

The Average Cost of a Wedding Cake:

According to recent data, the average cost of a wedding cake in the United States is around $500 to $600. However, this price can increase depending on various factors, and couples often spend between $600 and $900, or even up to $1,000 to $1,200 in bigger cities or for more elaborate cakes.

Cost Factors:

Number of Tiers and Guests:

The number of tiers and guests you need to serve will impact the cost. The more tiers and guests, the higher the price, as more materials and ingredients are required. An average 8-inch round cake serves about 15 people, so for a larger wedding, you'll need a multi-tiered cake.

Complexity of Design and Decorations:

The complexity of the design, decorations, and any additional toppings will influence the price. Intricate designs, custom sugar flowers, edible gold leaf, and other embellishments will increase the cost. Fondant frosting is typically more expensive than buttercream.

Cake Flavor and Ingredients:

The flavor and ingredients of the cake can also impact the price. Specialty cakes, such as vegan or gluten-free options, or cakes with unique or time-intensive ingredients, will generally cost more.

Labor and Delivery:

You are paying for the cake designer's talents, time, and labor, as well as cake storage and delivery. Hand delivery by the baker may incur an additional fee, and a complex cake may require extra time for assembly and transportation.

Cake Stands, Toppers, and Accessories:

Don't forget to include the cost of cake stands, toppers, and other accessories. These can be purchased or rented, but they will add to the overall cost of the cake.

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake:

Offer Half Servings:

Most people only eat a bite or two, so consider offering half-servings or smaller slices. This can help you reduce the overall size and cost of the cake.

Display or "Dummy" Cake:

Opt for a fake display cake used only for photos and cutting purposes. A separate sheet cake can be served to guests, which is a more affordable option.

Choose Buttercream over Fondant:

Fondant is generally more expensive than buttercream frosting. Opting for buttercream can save you multiple dollars per slice.

Simplify the Design and Flavors:

Instead of a multi-tier cake with intricate designs and custom flavors, go for a simpler one- or two-tier cake with basic flavors like chocolate or vanilla.

Supplement with Other Desserts:

Consider adding a dessert table with cookies or cupcakes to serve alongside the cake. This can reduce the number of cake servings needed and provide variety for your guests.

The size of a wedding cake

The size of your wedding cake depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the desired slice size, the shape of the cake, and any dietary restrictions. Here are some guidelines to help you determine the appropriate size:

Guest Count:

The number of guests is crucial when determining cake size. A good rule of thumb is to cater to 75% to 90% of your total guest count, assuming not everyone will want cake. For example, if you have 80 guests, you would need a cake that serves around 70 people.

Slice Size:

The standard wedding cake serving size is typically a 1-inch by 2-inch slice. However, you can also opt for larger "party-size" slices of 1.5-inches by 2-inches. If you're serving finger food or offering multiple desserts, you may want to stick to the smaller slice size.

Cake Shape:

The shape of your cake also affects the number of servings. Round cakes are the traditional choice and are typically cut into uniform slices. Here are the estimated serving sizes for round cakes with a height of 4 inches:

• 6-inch cake: About 10-12 servings
• 8-inch cake: About 20-24 servings
• 10-inch cake: About 30-38 servings
• 12-inch cake: About 40-50 servings

Square cakes offer more flexibility in portion sizes and can be cut into larger or smaller slices. Here are the estimated serving sizes for square cakes:

• 6-inch cake: About 12-18 servings
• 8-inch cake: About 32-40 servings
• 10-inch cake: About 50-60 servings
• 12-inch cake: About 72-96 servings

Other shapes like hexagonal or octagonal cakes can also be considered, as they provide more surface area and yield additional servings.

Dietary Restrictions:

Don't forget to account for any guests with dietary restrictions, such as vegan or gluten-free requirements. You may need to provide alternative dessert options for them and adjust your cake serving calculations accordingly.

Tier Configuration:

The number of tiers will depend on your guest count and desired serving size. Here's a general guide:

• 1-tier cake (6" or 8" diameter): Ideal for intimate weddings, serving 10-12 guests.
• 2-tier cake (6" + 8" or 8" + 10" diameter): Suitable for small to medium gatherings, serving 30-40 guests.
• 3-tier cake (6" + 8" + 10" or 8" + 10" + 12" diameter): Perfect for medium to large weddings, serving 50-100 guests.
• 4+ tier cake: Reserved for grand celebrations with over 100 guests.

In summary, determining the size of your wedding cake requires careful consideration of your guest count, desired slice size, cake shape, and any dietary restrictions. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure you have enough delicious dessert for everyone to enjoy on your special day.

The timing of cutting a wedding cake

The timing of cutting the wedding cake is important as it plays a big role in your reception. In the past, the cake-cutting was the very last moment in the reception—signaling to guests that they were welcome to head home. Though it usually happens much earlier today, cutting your cake still serves that same purpose (especially for older guests). These days, the cake is usually cut toward the end of dinner, just before dancing begins, and is the last "official" event of the evening. Slicing on the earlier side will let your grandmother or great uncle know they’re welcome to depart whenever they’re ready and will signal that they won’t miss any of the formalities if they choose to head home.

There are a few other bonuses to cutting the cake early (even before you take your seats for dinner). First, it ensures your photographer gets those pictures. If you’ve scheduled your photographer to leave around 9 p.m., cutting the cake at 7 p.m. means they won’t miss it. It also makes slicing and serving easier for your catering staff. If you cut the cake before dinner, they can work on slicing it once entrées have been served, and can pass out pieces as a plated dessert course before dancing gets underway.

The design of a wedding cake

• Finalize your basic wedding details before the cake tasting and consultation. It is important to have a cake that is compatible with your wedding theme, season, and reception menu. Know the basic wedding cake terminology and come to your consultation prepared with a general idea of what you want and a list of wedding day logistics for your baker.
• Share decorative cake accessories with your baker in advance. Wedding cake decorations can include intricate handmade sugar flowers, fresh fruit or fondant details, and cake toppers. Discuss possible cake designs with your baker based on your budget and desired look. Be prepared to purchase some of the finishing touches yourself if needed.
• Create a delivery plan for your wedding day. Wedding cake delivery takes coordination and usually a refrigerated van. Discuss all the details with your baker before the wedding day to align on expectations. Complex cakes may arrive in multiple pieces and require extra time for assembly.
• Give your cake the spotlight by designating a table at the reception. Design the table with matching linens, flower arrangements, and other details to match your wedding style. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, while a larger rectangular table may be needed for a linear design or additional desserts.
• Cut the cake early to avoid leftover slices. It is important to choose the right cake size and find the right time to cut the cake during your reception timeline. Cutting the cake early ensures that your guests will know it is available and reduces the chance of leftovers.
• Plan ahead if you want to save the cake for your wedding anniversary. Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a longtime tradition. To save the top tier, completely cover the cake with multiple layers of plastic wrap and store it in a plastic bag.

The flavours of a wedding cake

Wedding cake flavours have evolved over the years, and couples now have a wide range of options to choose from. While traditional fruitcake was once the standard, modern couples are free to choose any flavour they like, from chocolate to vanilla, or even more unique options like matcha or olive oil and rosemary.

Traditional Wedding Cake Flavours:

• Chocolate
• Vanilla
• Victoria sponge
• Lemon drizzle
• Red velvet
• Sticky toffee

Unique Wedding Cake Flavours:

• Passionfruit and white chocolate
• Banana and poppy seed
• Apple, cinnamon and raisin
• Raspberry ripple and white chocolate
• Cherries and cream
• Blueberry and passionfruit
• Pistachio and dark chocolate
• Almond and Nutella
• Pecan, date, apricot and raisin
• Hazelnut, caramel and cream cheese
• Walnut and matcha
• Lavender and honey
• Carrot and mango
• Dark chocolate and avocado
• Beetroot chocolate fudge
• Avocado and vanilla
• Pumpkin and peanut butter
• Matcha green tea, caraway and sweet azuki beans
• Vanilla café latte
• English lavender with Earl Grey buttercream
• Coffee-infused mocha
• Chai tea with vanilla filling
• Coffee, walnut and pecan
• Coffee and Biscoff
• Strawberry watermelon
• Butterscotch bourbon
• Sour cream
• Mango and matcha
• Mango and passionfruit
• Raspberry lemonade
• Grand Marnier
• Chocolate and peanut butter
• Chocolate Bailey's and chai-spiced buttercream
• Chocolate, cabernet curd, fresh raspberries, and French buttercream
• Blueberry-buttermilk with maple buttercream
• Tropical coconut guava
• Strawberry champagne
• Bananas Foster
• Pistachio with balsamic-soaked strawberries and rose buttercream
• Meyer lemon with burnt caramel
• Chocolate and coffee
• Honey and lavender
• Salted caramel
• Red velvet and amaretto cream cheese
• Chocolate and vanilla swirl
• Strawberry and rhubarb
• S'mores
• Apple-spice with caramel buttercream
• Osmanthus tea cake with roasted apricots and Osmanthus tea icing
• Mexican chocolate with cocoa crumble and tamarind coulis
• Key lime with oregano cream
• Blackberry and elderflower
• Ginger spice with maple frosting and vanilla bean icing
• Cardamom, fresh raspberries, and vanilla bean French buttercream
• Carrot and brown butter
• Olive oil and rosemary
• Maple pumpkin
• Black Forest
• Hawaiian wedding cake
• White chocolate and raspberry
• Carrot and chocolate
• Churro
• Matcha
• Funfetti

Frequently asked questions