Cutting the Cake, Cutting the Costs
Photo by Andrew Turner
Before wedding planning you probably couldn’t imagine agonizing so much over a cake. You need to decide the flavor, the design, any decorations, the kind of icing, and then you have to pay for it all. Wedding cakes, like everything else with the word wedding attached, don’t come cheap. Try these great ways to cut the cost of your cake.
Shop around. Ask your caterer how much they charge and go to a number of different bakers for a comparison. Your caterer will probably be on the more expensive end of the scale, but if you are already spending a fair amount on their services, they may be willing to drop their price. Bakers who specialize in weddings also fall into the expensive category. Seek out home bakers, those that don’t specialize in weddings and the bakery department of your local grocery store. They may also have alternatives that you would like to consider, such as sheet cake.
Go to your favorite restaurant that serves truly divine desserts. Ask their chef if they would be interested in making your wedding cake and what they would charge. Restaurants place huge emphasis on presentation and you are sure to have a beautifully decorated cake. However, it’s an unusual request for many restaurant chefs and while they may be flattered, some may decline.
Keep your cake simple. Decorating and icing are the two biggest expenses. Keep tiers to a minimum and have the same flavor throughout. The more flavors you add, the higher your price. You can also buy the cake and decorate it yourself. This will give the cake an even more personal feel. If you don’t feel as if you’re up to the task of decorating the cake, ask your florist how much they would charge for decorations.
Consider forgoing the columns that separate the tiers. If you are keen on columns then ask your baker if they have disposable pillars that can be used in place of the regular crystal columns. If not, ask your baker if you can borrow the columns instead of buying them.
Another cake decoration that costs money is the topper. Ask your baker if they have toppers available to borrow or call a rental supply company. Why not ask friends and family to buy you one as a wedding shower present? Remember custom-made monogrammed toppers are not a necessity.
If you aren’t worried about cake cutting, you can buy a Styrofoam cake from your baker and then serve sheet cake. The best way to save on a wedding cake is not to have one at all. Several brides overlook the traditional wedding cake and instead serve a dessert that they really love. Tiramisu is a classy dessert that can feed many, as is a well-crafted cheesecake.
