Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake

Are Expensive Wedding Cakes Really Worth It?

Are expensive wedding cakes really worth it? As a wedding planner in the SF Bay Area, this is one of the questions I'm continuously asked by brides. The answer I always give is that, it really depends on a lot of things.

Any wedding planner or wedding budget calculator will tell you to allocate 2-3% of your total wedding budget towards a cake. This is the average, the norm, the current trend. So if your total wedding budget is $50,000, then you should allocate $1000 - $1500 towards your cake. If you're expecting 150 guests, then you would need to find a baker whose cakes ranged between $6 - $10 a slice. However, 2-3% is only a suggestion.

I recently worked with clients who had their heart set on a string trio for their ceremony. They chose to pay 3 times as much as they originally budgeted for ceremony music to get the string trio. To cut costs elsewhere, they cut the videographer and cake from the wedding. Instead of a cake, they had a candy station. The candy station was set up by family members in heirloom dishes and bowls, and was a conversation piece amongst all of the guests. It was cute, inexpensive, and it worked.

If couples are totally into decadent desserts, or have their heart set on a cake you saw in a trendy cakery's window, then allocating 5% or more of your budget towards a higher quality cake, taking funds away from other wedding items in their budget, may be the right choice for them.  Many high end cakes in the SF Bay Area can cost up to $20 a slice. For a wedding of 150 guests, that's $3000 for a cake. This translates to 6% of the total wedding cost, if the overall budget is $50,000.

Many couples want a wedding completely unique and all their own. Knowing what the trends and traditions are, often help couples steer away from them, to help create what they want their "untraditional and original" event to be.  A lot of the time, the untraditional and original events do not include wedding cakes.

My clients that do chose wedding cakes, often struggle with their overpriced costs. "How could something made out of flour, sugar and eggs be so expensive?" they ask, as they're holding a picture of a couture wedding cake from the latest Town and Country Weddings Magazine.  Are these expensive wedding cakes really worth it?

To best answer this, I've listed a list of points below to help shed some light on this blazing question.

Wedding

Put the word "wedding" in front of anything, and watch the price increase by 30-40%. It's the way of the world. As long as customers pay high prices, bakers will charge high prices.

The mark up on weddings also has a lot to do with the pressure to make the event perfect. There is an enormous amount of expectation on wedding professionals for perfection. This is stressful, period. Would you be that upset if your birthday cake were flawed? Maybe a little, but you'd have a lifetime of birthdays to get it perfect, right? Not the case with a wedding. Couples view their wedding as a one-time chance to get it perfect. If their cake is flawed, they could be angered and disappointment on their wedding day. You best be sure the baker will hear about it. Discounts or partial refunds may be offered by the baker, or demanded by the couple.

Ingredients

If bakers use real butter and cream, and/or organic products, then their cakes will cost more than those that don't. . The type of cake also matters. A simple sponge cake made from a mix that's full of preservatives, is much less expensive than a cheese cake made from scratch with all organic products. Also, top notch cakes are fresh. They are made 2-3 days prior to the event. It takes a lot of manpower to work non-stop on a cake in just a few days, as opposed to one person taking their time, freezing layers and beginning the baking months ahead.

Décor

Many agree that the most expensive and time consuming factor of wedding cakes is the décor. A butter cream frosting cake with fresh flowers for decoration is much easier to create than a fondant cake with hundreds of intricate sugar flowers. If your cake involves elaborate designs, then it will take much longer to create, and cost more money.

Structure

A standard 3 tiered cake is much easier to assemble, support and transport, than a 4, 5 or 6 tier cake. The taller the cake, the more effort it takes a baker to support it, and to get all of the tiers level and straight. Many layered cakes are not easy to assemble and keep straight, and a baker will charge you for this.

Location of the Baker or Bakery

You may find that a baker in a major metropolitan area or a bakery in a trendy main street location will be much more expensive than a baker that bakes out of their home in suburbia.

Training of Bakers

Where did the bakers get baking and pastry arts training? Do they even have training? Well trained bakers and sugarcrafters, especially with many years of experience, demand a higher price for their creations.

Reputation

Bakers who have a reputation for creating outstanding cakes, are covered often in the media and are in high demand, will ask high dollar for their cakes.

Time of Year

The high season for many bakeries is during December, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Easter. If your wedding falls on one of the key high season days, it's possible your cake may cost a bit more.

Delivery & Set-up

If your venue is far from the bakery, it's possible that your cake may cost more to deliver. Delivering a cake safely is a timely and stressful process. So the longer the stress and the longer the baker is not in their shop making money, the more you'll be charged.

Many brides that I've worked with insist on purchasing cakes from grocery stores. Grocery store may be full of preservatives and not made with the finest ingredients or from scratch, but they're decent looking cakes. The problem is that grocery stores may not deliver and set-up. I always remind couples that if they chose to purchase a grocery store cake, they'll probably need to take on the stress, time and bother of safely transporting a wedding cake. Do they have a car with a large flat area? Do they have working air conditioning that will need to be on high the entire time the cake is in their car? Do they have a rubber mat to prevent the cake from sliding around? Do they have a friend or family member who has dealt with assembling cakes before? These are things to consider.

Frantic Bride Time

This could also be called "bridezilla time".There is a lot of pressure and expectation put on the cake designer to meet and often exceed the expectations of the bride. This sometimes requires dropping everything else they're doing to make the bride happy.

Many bakers build in time into their initial cake costs for this. In an emotional frenzy, brides often panic about last minute details of their wedding cake. Of course any professional baker will deal with a stressed bride calmly and do anything to make her happy. It's part of what they do. They strive to meet the expectation of wedding perfection. However, calming and appeasing a frantic and emotional bride-to-be is stressful and time consuming.

For more articles and information regarding everything wedding cake: wedding cake designs, wedding cake toppers, and more, visit our site at www.wedding-cakes-and-toppers.com

About the Author

At www.wedding-cakes-and-toppers.com, Maria Binasco offers her wedding planner's view on wedding cakes, wedding cake toppers, and cake design. After designing events across Northern California for many years, she was intrigued by cake design as an art and wanted to create a forum for brides-to-be to share and learn. Cakes marry the worlds of design and culinary - her two favorite things.

Wedding Cake $39.99 Wedding Cake - Giclee Print

Winter Wedding Cake Topper $27.99 Add style and beauty to your wedding cake with our Winter Wedding Cake Topper. While your marriage is sure to be filled with all sorts of ingredients, this cake topper will easily be the sweet cherry on top of your wedding day celebration. Crafted of thick acrylic and fashioned in your choice of colors, this winter wedding accessory really comes to life when you personalize it with your first names and wedding date...a truly cool treat!Clear, square acrylic wedding cake topper with snowflakes designWinter design and personalization applied with static-cling vinylTopper measures 4"" h x 4"" w x 1/2"" dMay be personalized with two block first names (maximum of 12 characters per name) and numeric date in your choice of a blueberry or ice-blue background at no additional costPersonalization ink varies with background color

Fall Wedding Cake Topper $27.99 Let your guests delight in more than the taste of your wedding cake when you place our Fall Wedding Cake Topper on it! Adding one more definition of personalized style to your big day, this autumnal cake decoration can be customized with your names, wedding date and fall color scheme of your choice! So, go ahead and let this must-have be your ideal finishing touch, and cheers to many years of blissful goodness!Clear, square acrylic wedding cake topper with autumn-leaves designFall design and personalization applied with static-cling vinylTopper measures 4"" h x 4"" w x 1/2"" dMay be personalized with two block first names (maximum of 12 characters per name) and numeric date in your choice of a burnt sienna or cinnamon background at no additional costPersonalization ink varies with background colorPermanent botanicals not included

Wedding Cake Sachets $4.95 Handmade from delicate, white satin, these stunning wedding-cake sachets feature dainty flowers and pearls, a satin hanger, and they're filled with a lavender scent. Each sachet measures 4"" tall x 3 1/2"" wide at the base.

Celebration Wedding Cake $6.48 Something new, something old--something sweet! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Celebration Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with royal icing. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and design icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowDesign Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red, Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Personalized Wedding Cake Cookie $6.48 Something old, something new--something customized! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Personalized Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with royal icing. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors are personalized with your names and made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and design icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowDesign Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Wedding cake toppers on cake $19.99 Jamie Grill Wedding cake toppers on cake - Photographic Print

Pack of 24 White Wedding Cake Bubbles $12 Send the happy couple off in a sea of bubbles! The heart cake-topper in these tiny white wedding cakes is a bubble wand, and the cakes are filled with bubble solution. The wedding cake bubbles measure 3"" high x 1 1/2"" wide and are sold in packs of 24.

Calla Lily Scented Wedding Cake Candle $1.7 Everyone loves wedding cake and your guests will be sure to love these wedding cake candles. Inspired by the beautiful and elegant calla lily flower, each three-tiered, scented wedding cake candle is tastefully decorated with a cascading bouquet of sculpted handpainted calla lilies. Presented in a clear cello gift bag, it is finished with organza ribbon and calla lily-themed thank-you tag ready for presentation to your guests. Features and facts:Three-tier wedding cake scented candle features cascading calla lilies and a silver-tone border around each layerPackaged in cellophane bag accented with thank-you tagMeasures 2 1/2"" x 2""

Beach-themed Scented Wedding Cake Candle $2 Looking for the perfect beach-themed favor? Look no further. Our beach-themed wedding cake candle is sure to be a hit with your guests. Each scented three-tiered wedding cake candle is accented with sculpted, life-like seashells and starfish and handpainted in pearl white and sandy colors. Features and facts:Wedding cake scented candle with realistic beach accents is presented in a clear cello bag wrapped with an organza ribbon and finished with a ""thank you"" tagCandle measures 2 1/2"" x 2""

Springtime Wedding Cake Cookie Favor $6.48 Something new, something old--something sweet! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Springtime Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with icing and topped with simple flowers. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and flower icing colors (the border and leaves remain green)Each cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowFlower Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red, Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Elegant Wedding Cake Cookie Favor $6.48 Something old, something new--something elegant! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Elegant Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with royal icing. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and design icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowDesign Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Rose Wedding Cake Cookie Favor $6.48 Something new, something old--something sweet! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Rose Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with icing and topped with elegant roses. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and design icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowDesign Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Classic Wedding Cake Cookie Favor $6.48 Something new, something old--something sweet! Corso¡¯s Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Classic Wedding Cake Cookie Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with royal icing. Features and facts:Classic wedding cake cookie favors are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and design icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowDesign Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red, Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies

Chocolate Wedding Cake Lollipop with Personalized Tag $3.7 These wedding cake lollipops are as charming as they are delicious and make wonderful favors for your guests. Each three layer chocolate wedding cake is made of fine solid belgian chocolate. The chocolate wedding cake measures 4"" tall and each favor complete with lollipop stick measures 7.5"" tall. Each wedding cake lollipop is wrapped in cellophane and comes with a perosnalized tag with names and event date. Due to personalization there is a minimum order requirment of 24. The tags are shipped separately. If this item is being shipped to a warmer climate, please call our customer service department at 1-866-942-1311 to place your order so that it can be expedited to prevent melting. Please note: We are not responsible for any melted orders that are shipped via ground service.

Starfish Cake Topper $32.98 Let a pure-white starfish and seashells sit atop your wedding cake at your reception by the sea! The 6"" Starfish Cake Topper and the seashell base have a white bisque finish.

Wedding cake with flowers $19.99 Wedding cake with flowers - Photographic Print

The Cutting of the Wedding Cake $39.99 The Cutting of the Wedding Cake - Giclee Print

The Royal Wedding Cake $39.99 The Royal Wedding Cake - Giclee Print

A Tiered Wedding Cake $24.99 A Tiered Wedding Cake - Photographic Print

Ornate Wedding Cake $49.99 Ornate Wedding Cake - Giclee Print

Fine Wedding Cake $49.99 Fine Wedding Cake - Giclee Print

Blue Wedding Cake Cookie $4.5 Custom designed and handmade by a gourmet baker and sold at luxury retail stores across the country including Neiman Marcus these cookies' whimsical decorations and delicious taste make the perfect statement. Made with only the finest of ingredients including fresh butter farm fresh eggs and high quality vanilla and spices each cookie is hand-decorated with royal icing then individually bagged and tied with a ribbon. They are then shipped directly from the baker to you. Each cookie measures about 4"" x 5"" depending on shape and has a shelf life of 6 months. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing of these items as they are handmade especially for you. Each cookie comes in a cello bag tied with ribbon with a prepunched hangtag and string which can have the personalization of your choice. Due to personalization there is a minimum order requirement of 12 cookies.

Lavender Wedding Cake Cookie $4.5 Custom designed and handmade by a gourmet baker and sold at luxury retail stores across the country including Neiman Marcus these cookies' whimsical decorations and delicious taste make the perfect statement. Made with only the finest of ingredients including fresh butter farm fresh eggs and high quality vanilla and spices each cookie is hand-decorated with royal icing then individually bagged and tied with a ribbon. They are then shipped directly from the baker to you. Each cookie measures about 4"" x 5"" depending on shape and has a shelf life of 6 months. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing of these items as they are handmade especially for you. Each cookie comes in a cello bag tied with ribbon with a prepunched hangtag and string which can have the personalization of your choice. Due to personalization there is a minimum order requirement of 12 cookies.

White Wedding Cake Cookie $4.5 Custom designed and handmade by a gourmet baker and sold at luxury retail stores across the country including Neiman Marcus these cookies' whimsical decorations and delicious taste make the perfect statement. Made with only the finest of ingredients including fresh butter farm fresh eggs and high quality vanilla and spices each cookie is hand-decorated with royal icing then individually bagged and tied with a ribbon. They are then shipped directly from the baker to you. Each cookie measures about 4 x 5 depending on shape and has a shelf life of 6 months. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing of these items as they are handmade especially for you. Each cookie comes in a cello bag tied with ribbon with a prepunched hangtag and string which can have the personalization of your choice. Due to personalization there is a minimum order requirement of 12 cookies.

Icing on the Cake Winter Wedding-Cake Candle (Set of 4) $7.92 Our childlikeanticipation of the year’s coolest season—with its gently falling snow,heartwarming holidays and clear, moonlit nights—brings an undeniablemagic to winter weddings. Cast a spell over your event with a romanticfavor that says it all. Kate Aspen’s “Icing on the Cake� WinterWedding-Cake Candle tells your guests that exchanging vows is along-awaited thrill for an extraordinary couple. Looking good enough toeat, the ice-blue wedding-cake candle, delicately decorated withwintry-white snowflakes, rests on a porcelain platter encased in awinter-themed gift box and matching “For You� tag, all accented with asheer organza bow and a matching. Measures 2.5� x 2�. Sold as a set offour.

Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers - Many Designs Available $28 Available in 13 of today's hottest colors, this well-crafted cake decoration will look incredible as it decorates the most delicious part of your wedding day! With its crystal clear acrylic base, it's kicked up a notch in class when you personalize it with your names and date in a color of your choice! Talk about ooh la la! Features and facts:Acrylic wedding cake topper features your names and wedding date on your choice of background and color at No Additional CostSize: Measures 4"" x 4"" x 1/2""Materials: Acrylic and static cling vinylPersonalization Options: May be personalized with two first names (max of 12 characters per name) and numeric dateAvailable background colors: cloud, aqua, sage, wisteria, petal pink, raspberry, wineberry, plum, claret, tangerine, chocolate, grey or blackDesign options: beach, butterfly, blossom, elegance, flourish, embracing hearts, monogram and ""Mr. & Mrs.""Can coordinate designs with matching personalized car clingsPlease Note: Personalization ink varies with background color

Classic Curls Wedding Cake Cookie Favor $6.48 Something old, something new--something beautiful! Corso's Cookies is the perfect sweet treat for your wedding reception or bridal shower. Our Classic Curls Wedding Cookie Cake Favor is made from a delicious shortbread cookie that is hand-decorated with royal icing. Features and facts:Wedding cake cookie favors feature elegant curls on each layer and are made from our delicious buttery shortbread cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artistsChoose from a variety of background and curl icing colorsEach cookie is approximately 4-5"" tallAll cookie favors come individually shrink wrappedA cello bag and bow can be added to each cookie favor for an additional $.50 per cookieBackground Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowCurl Icing Colors: White, Black, Bright Pink, Grey, Lavender, Light Blue, Light Pink, Light Yellow, Mint Green, Purple, Red , Dark Green, Bright Green, Dark Blue, Orange, Brown, Turquoise, Tan and YellowMinimum 12 cookies