Wedding Cakes: How to get the most bang for your buck!

Let's face it, weddings are expensive.  Most people don't have the kind of budget that all those beautiful designs on pinterest and magazines show.  The key is being realistic.  Set a realistic budget.  Talk to your vendors and be honest about your budget.  Listen to their ideas and they will help you get a gorgeous cake priced within your means.  Despite some blogs and articles circulating, wedding vendors are not blood sucking leeches just out to zap your pocket books dry.  We are mostly all small business owners who want to help you make your wedding day vision become a reality.  We do this every day.  So trust us with our ideas and designs.  You may have to compromise a bit, but in the end, it will be gorgeous.

Here are a few ways you can still have a beautiful cake without breaking the bank:

1. Choose one flavor - Most bakers charge a fee for changing flavors in your cake.  Part of it is a labor charge as it takes more time to make multiple flavors.  And part of it is a waste charge.  Some recipes cannot be cut down in size, so if you are ordering different flavors for smaller tiers we may have to throw out the extra unused batter.
2. Stick to the basics - There are some really yummy elaborate flavors out there.  The ones with nuts or alcohol always bring the wow factor to any wedding.  But they come with a cost.  Increased cost in ingredients will increase the cost of the cake.  Stay away from alcohol flavored cakes or cakes with fresh fruit or nuts.  Stick to vanillas and chocolate based cakes.  Your guests will still love them and you won't be paying a premium price for that premium flavor.
3. Order for your guest count - I know the 5 tier grand cake is beautiful.  But, if you have 150 people at your wedding, you don't need a cake that serves 250.  It's just a waste of money.  What about fake tiers?  Still a waste.  You will pay a nice chunk of change for those fake tiers that you will just throw away at the end of the night.
4. Buttercream is best - in everything!  It's the best tasting icing out there!  It's also the cheapest!  Choose buttercream cakes over fondant and your wallet with thank you.
5. Ditch the sugar flowers - I think fresh flowers are much more beautiful anyway.  Sugar flowers are expensive to make, and time consuming.  So, you will be paying for that.  Ask your florist how much it will cost to provide a few fresh flowers for the cake.  Guaranteed, it won't be nearly as much as you think.  The fresh flowers still give your cake that finished look and provide a little color to your dessert. 
   

Consider these 5 tips when purchasing your wedding cake and you will be sure to have a gorgeous, excellent tasting cake, without the higher price tag.