9 Best Tips to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake

A budget-friendly wedding cake doesn’t have to look unappealing, taste bad, or disappoint your guests.

You can still have the wedding of your dreams while saving money on the cake.

It can look stunning, taste delicious, and remain a highlight of your big day without breaking the bank.

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Set a Budget

Before diving into dreamy designs for your wedding cake, take a moment to review your overall wedding budget. Decide on the amount you’re comfortable spending on the cake.

The average wedding cake costs around $500, but considering it’s one of the biggest sources of waste in wedding expenses, there’s no need to spend that much.

Once you’ve established your budget, divide the total amount by the number of guests. This will give you a price per slice, helping you stick to your financial plan. Your goal is to ensure the cost per slice doesn’t exceed this amount.

Shop Around

Finding the perfect bakery that meets your budget is crucial. Compare different options, ask plenty of questions, and find out the price per serving.

One of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning is cake tasting, so take your time to explore different flavors and styles while keeping your budget in mind.

Keep It Small

Since wedding cakes are often priced per serving, choosing a smaller cake can significantly reduce your expenses.

If you’re planning an intimate wedding, a small cake may suffice. However, if you have a larger guest list, consider displaying a beautiful wedding cake for the photos and ceremony, while serving inexpensive sheet cakes from behind the scenes. Guests won’t notice the difference, and you’ll save a lot of money.

Go Simple

Elaborate cake designs with intricate details, such as hand-painted elements, edible gold, or sugar flowers, can cause costs to soar.

Opting for a simple design can be just as elegant and works well with almost any wedding theme. Minimalist cakes are timeless and cost-effective.

Choose Buttercream

Fondant icing may give cakes a sleek and polished look, but it significantly increases the price. Buttercream frosting, when expertly applied, can achieve a similar aesthetic at a lower cost—and it tastes much better too, which your guests will appreciate.

Add Real Flowers

Instead of costly sugar flowers, use fresh flowers from your wedding arrangements or artificial ones. Adding real flowers is a quick and affordable way to elevate a simple cake design while keeping costs down.

Sugar flowers require extensive labor, but real flowers can be both stunning and cost-efficient.

Serve Smaller Slices

Another way to save money is to serve smaller slices. Casual weddings often serve slices that are 2 inches thick, while more formal events serve thinner slices, about 1 inch thick.

Smaller portions can appear more elegant, and offering additional desserts alongside the cake ensures guests won’t feel shortchanged.

To maximize your servings, make sure the person cutting the cake follows a proper cutting guide. Wilton’s cake-cutting chart can be a helpful tool.

Skip the Groom’s Cake

If a groom’s cake is a tradition in your area, don’t feel obligated to include it. A separate cake adds extra costs that most guests won’t even miss.

If the groom insists on having a cake, consider asking a talented friend or family member to bake it as a special touch for the rehearsal dinner.

Consider an Alternative

More couples are opting for unique dessert options instead of traditional wedding cakes. Cupcakes, dessert bars with cookies, donuts, or mini pies are increasingly popular.

Guests will love the originality of a dessert station, and it often costs less than a large wedding cake. These creative alternatives ensure a memorable experience for everyone.