Don't know how much a wedding cake will cost you? So glad you found your way here! A wedding cake's appearance and flavour are secondary to its significance in the event's ritual of cutting. If you're working together on a budget for a cake, you'll find this information useful.
How much money you spend on your wedding cake is proportional to how much thought you give to it. Remember that the costlier your home is, more it will cost to furnish it. Due to the time and effort required, the price of a cake with fondant flowers will increase if you need to serve 150 people.
Your cake is more than just a wonderful dessert—also it's a focal point of your reception's aesthetic.
You need a tasty cake to make your theme or colour scheme come to life.
The cost of your wedding cake should be considered separately from your other decor purchases. Your cake, serving as both a sweet and a showpiece, fuzes the lines between the two industries. Due to this, imagine estimating a budget being simple. To help you plan your big day, we have researched past weddings to get a feel for typical costs and popular types of wedding locations.
How Much Should You Budget For A Wedding Cake?
The average cost of a wedding cake in Australia is close to AUD 700. This price varies widely based on the cake's size, design, and embellishments. Most newlyweds spend between AUD 450 to AUD 1000 on their wedding cake, while larger cities and more elaborate desserts might push that number over AUD1500. Looking for the Best Photobooth Hires in Melbourne? We have compiled an exclusive list of some of Melbourne’s best photobooth hire suppliers to capture your special day.
Few parts of a wedding are as widely celebrated as the cake. The tradition of cutting the wedding cake and sharing the newlyweds' first taste of the dessert is as sweet as it is time-honored, and the cake itself is a lovely aesthetic feature in the reception hall. How much should you actually allot for a wedding cake?
It is important to remember that wedding cakes are typically priced per serving rather than the entire cake when calculating your budget. The typical cost of a slice of cake is $4 with buttercream and $5 with fondant.
The cost of your wedding cake will increase proportionately with the number of servings you request. Save money on the wedding cake by following our suggestions, which include offering guests "half-servings," or budgeting for 12 slices of cake per person.
Simply calculate the amount of cake you'll need based on the number of servings you anticipate serving. For reference, here is a rough breakdown of how many servings you may expect from various cake size and shape:
- 6” tier = 14 slices
- 8” tier = 26 slices
- 10” tier = 40 slices
- 12” tier = 56 slices
- 14” tier = 78 slices
- 16” tier = 100 slices
What Affects Wedding Cake Prices?
- A bigger cake with higher price tag. In this context, "big" refers to both the overall dimensions of the cake and the total number of layers.
- Normal pans make it simpler to bake cakes in standard shapes like rounds and squares. Hexagon-shaped cakes, like those with intricate decorations, need more time and skill to make and hence cost more.
- The labour involved in making a wedding cake is the primary factor in determining the price. Thus, a cake's price will reflect the amount of labour put into making it. Sophisticated icing designs and aesthetic components like sugar flowers and geodes are included in this category.
- Most wedding cakes are frosted with either buttercream or fondant. Buttercream uses sugar and butter, so it's inexpensive and delicious. Although fondant is more expensive than regular sugar paste, it allows users greater creative freedom when designing cakes. Not even extremely high temperatures can melt fondants.
- If you want your cake to feature unusual components, such out-of-season fruit, a high-end liqueur, or some rare nuts or spices, you may have to pay more. Traditional chocolate cake made with all the usual ingredients is the only kind worth eating.
What Is Included in the Cost of a Wedding Cake?
Before settling on a wedding cake, it's a good idea to talk to just few bakeries to get a feel for their offerings and prices. The following are typically included in the price of a wedding cake by bakeries:
- Consultation during the design process
- There will be a sampling of cakes.
- Cake itself
- Installation and transport
It's possible that these elements are included in the starting price of your wedding cake, or that they can be purchased as optional extras. Before placing an order, it's best to double-check with the baker; they might not provide this option.
- Display case for pastries
- Edible cake decorations
- Instruments for slicing and serving a cake
- To celebrate your first year of marriage, bake a second cake or indulge in a little version.
Tips for Cutting Costs on the Big Day
When your bridal ideas and your wedding budget are at odds with one another, you'll need to find a method to compromise in order to keep your wedding costs manageable. Budget wedding cakes don't have to skimp on style or presentation with a little forethought. Some of our favourite cake options are as follows:
- Pick buttercream icing because it tastes much better than fondant and costs less (by as much as $1.00 per serving) than fondant. Buttercream is the cheap and delicious option if you're watching your budget.
- Since guests usually only eat a little slice or two of cake, it's more cost effective to provide "half-servings" than full ones. Therefore, a cake that serves 100 should be ordered even if there will be 200 attendees. If you want to offer guests something sweet other than wedding cake, this is a great option.
- Making a sheet cake look like a showpiece: Show off a little version of your dream cake, complete with shimmering icing and fondant flowers. Your job duties include taking pictures of and cutting this cake. Then, to cut costs, have a sheet cake baked in the same flavour sliced and served from the kitchen. Looking for a Wedding Photo Location? Look no further. Brighton Savoy has compiled an ultimate list of wedding photo locations to help you choose.
- When deciding on a wedding cake, it's best to go with something simple in terms of both shape and style. Choose a cake with a straightforward shape, like a square or round one, and skimp on the intricate decorations that need for a lot of time and skill to complete in order to keep costs down.
- Consult your neighbourhood baker for the most up-to-date pricing, although it's usually more cost-effective to go with vanilla or chocolate cake than of more elaborate flavours like carrot or espresso.
- Making your own wedding cake can save you a tonne of money, but it also comes with a few potential pitfalls that you should be aware of.
What's The Ideal Height For My Tiered Cake?
The quantity of servings you need and the look you're going for dictate how many levels your cake should have.
Since the cakes are stacked on top of one other, it can give the illusion that there is just one layer. These twin barrel cakes frequently have tiers added to them. A double-barreled cake has twice as much cake as a single-barreled cake, so it can feed twice as many couples, although it may be more expensive.
If you're still undecided, know that roughly half of all couples choose for a three-tiered wedding cake. The most popular cake size is two layers, followed by four layers and then one. Only 31% of people choose for a single-layer cake.
Wedding cakes can be served in a range of sizes to accommodate guests with varying appetites. We recommend having your cake as a sweet treat or with your morning coffee. Serving coffee cake as dessert can lead to requests for more, so keep that in mind. Conversely, if the cake is smaller, it could be shared by more guests provided the pieces are made more manageable.
Exactly What Is a "Sheet" Cake?
If you need more cake but don't want the design to suffer, a sheet cake may be the best option. A sheet cake, or a cake with only one layer, can be ordered from your baker in the same flavor(s) as your elaborate cake. Cookies baked in a sheet pan are typically rectangular.
This can be concealed in the oven until just before serving. It means you can have more cake for your special day without spending as much money on its size and decorations.
This is a fantastic option for weddings with many guests, and it may help you cut costs because it allows you to get away with a less elaborately adorned cake. Talk to the baker about what kind of cake will work best for your wedding, and consult with the catering staff at your venue to see if they have any space for cakes.
Which Flavour and Styles Are Best Known?
Only 5% of newlyweds actually opt for a carrot cake as their wedding cake, despite widespread misconception to the contrary. Sixty-nine percent of couples would rather have chocolate or vanilla mud cake instead.
Pairs also frequently opt for lemon and raspberry flavours. Five percent of the baked goods don't include any flour or gluten. Multi-flavored cakes are on the rise, and intriguing flavour combinations like cherry and champagne have us craving a slice.
Both bare cakes and rustic icing are still huge trends for newlyweds. We recommend these sweets for celebrations with a country, retro, or bohemian vibe. Adding a touch of richness to your wedding cake can't go wrong with a design that features white and metallic elements. Traditional, stunning, and cutting-edge nuptials are all on the rise.
Couples who don't particularly care for dessert are increasingly choosing pie for their wedding receptions. We think it's a fantastic proposal.
Is There a Specific List of Requirements for a Cake Maker?
Seventy percent of newly engaged couples will contact a cake vendor to discuss arrangements for their wedding. When they find out that the baker worked with the event's designers or decorators to ensure that the cake's decorations matched the event's theme, these couples are blown away.
In the past, couples have favoured having a wide variety of cake flavours among which to choose, as well as having a different flavour for each cake layer.
In order to find out if other customers experienced issues with the cakes sold by a specific online cake shop, you need read the reviews left by those consumers. The absence of a free cake sample before purchasing is a warning signal. Other red flags include serving a different flavour or adding new décor without informing the couple first.
FAQs About Wedding Cake
Some Extra Factors to Consider
Cutting the wedding cake is a fun tradition for the newlyweds to share with their loved ones. Before digging into the first bite, it's vital to settle a few issues.
Icing The Cake At The Appropriate Time
Everyone at the party will be eager for dessert before the ceremony even starts. Wedding cake is traditionally served after the main course at a multi-course feast. Cake is typically served soon after the reception begins, especially if the couple opts for finger foods and small appetisers.
In either scenario, make sure your guests know when to expect the cake cutting to begin.
Avoid Slicing Into The Top Tier
Cutting into the top layer of the cake, where the cake topper is, is tempting, but it is important to remember that here is where the cake is the most likely to topple. The bottom tier of your cake may be your best hope if you want it to survive. The top tier can then be refrigerated for your first-anniversary celebration if you and your partner choose.
Make the Most of Every Photo Opportunity
The sumptuous dessert you've been saving up for can be tempting to dive into right away. Having a photographer present not only prevents any unfortunate cake mishaps, but also records all of the precious moments shared between you and your partner.
Anticipate Problems
Typically, an unique collection of tools is required to make a tiered cake. Get yourself a cake server, two forks, some napkins, and your drink of choice.
In case someone forgets to bring their prefered set of cake-cutting utensils, your caterer or baker should have a few extra sets on hand.
Start By Feeding Your Partner.
One of you can stand slightly ahead of the other with his or her back to the spectators. Make a precise incision by resting your hands on either side of the blade and on top of each other. After you've cut up your allotted amount, serve each other and raise a glass of champagne or an original mason jar drink in celebration.
As a token of your appreciation and to mark this joyous occasion in the joining of your families, please feel free to cut a couple additional pieces for your in-laws.
Keep in Mind That Cake Smashing Is Not Required
The tradition of crushing cakes dates back to the time of Julius Caesar and has become deeply ingrained in Roman culture. Even though it may be tempting, it's best to refrain from smashing cakes in each other's faces. Looking for the best Wedding Photographer in Melbourne? Check out our ultimate list here.
For the sake of the wedding photos, some couples may choose to forego the traditional cake-smashing photo op. In any case, you and your future spouse should start making preparations early.
Put the Glaze on Your Cake
Before you start cutting, make sure your cake is the main attraction. If you're going to hire a professional photographer to document the intimate moments you share while eating together, you'll want to make sure the spotlight is on your tiered masterpiece.
Add a simple final touch to your setting with an eye-catching background and an ornate linen table cover.
Cutting the wedding cake is one of the first things you'll do as a husband and wife, so enjoy it! If you choose a beautiful backdrop or an elaborate arch with a table cover, your cake-cutting ceremony will seem like something out of a magazine.
Conclusion
A wedding cake's appearance and flavour are secondary to its significance in the event's ritual of cutting. Most newlyweds spend between AUD 450 to AUD 1000 on their wedding cake, while larger cities and more elaborate desserts might push that number over AUD1500. Average cost of a wedding cake in Australia is close to AUD 700. Wedding cakes are typically priced per serving rather than the entire cake. The typical cost of a slice of cake is $4 with buttercream and $5 with fondant. Save money on the wedding cake by offering guests "half-servings," or budgeting for 12 slices of cake per person.
Content Summary:
- A wedding cake's appearance and flavour are secondary to its significance in the event's ritual of cutting.
- If you're working together on a budget for a cake, you'll find this information useful.
- How much money you spend on your wedding cake is proportional to how much thought you give to it.
- Remember that the costlier your home is, the more it will cost to furnish it.
- Due to the time and effort required, the price of a cake with fondant flowers will increase if you need to serve 150 people.
- Your cake is more than just a wonderful dessert—also it's a focal point of your reception's aesthetic.
- You need a tasty cake to make your theme or colour scheme come to life.
- The cost of your wedding cake should be considered separately from your other decor purchases.
- Your cake, serving as both a sweet and a showpiece, fuzes the lines between the two industries.
- Due to this, imagine estimating a budget being simple.
- To help you plan your big day, we have researched past weddings to get a feel for typical costs and popular types of wedding locations.
- The average cost of a wedding cake in Australia is close to AUD 700.
- This price varies widely based on the cake's size, design, and embellishments.
- Most newlyweds spend between AUD 450 to AUD 1000 on their wedding cake, while larger cities and more elaborate desserts might push that number over AUD1500.
- Few parts of a wedding are as widely celebrated as the cake.
- The tradition of cutting the wedding cake and sharing the newlyweds' first taste of the dessert is as sweet as it is time-honoured, and the cake itself is a lovely aesthetic feature in the reception hall.
- How much should you actually allot for a wedding cake?
- It is important to remember that wedding cakes are typically priced per serving rather than the entire cake when calculating your budget.
- The typical cost of a slice of cake is $4 with buttercream and $5 with fondant.
- The cost of your wedding cake will increase proportionately with the number of servings you request.
- Save money on the wedding cake by following our suggestions, which include offering guests "half-servings," or budgeting for 12 slices of cake per person.
- Simply calculate the amount of cake you'll need based on the number of servings you anticipate serving.
- For reference, here is a rough breakdown of how many servings you may expect from various cake size and shape: 6" tier = 14 slices 8" tier = 26 slices 10" tier = 40 slices 12" tier = 56 slices 14" tier = 78 slices 16" tier = 100 slices
- A bigger cake with a higher price tag.
- In this context, "big" refers to both the overall dimensions of the cake and the total number of layers.
- Normal pans make it simpler to bake cakes in standard shapes like rounds and squares.
- Hexagon-shaped cakes, like those with intricate decorations, need more time and skill to make and hence cost more.
- The labour involved in making a wedding cake is the primary factor in determining the price.
- Thus, a cake's price will reflect the amount of labour put into making it.
- Sophisticated icing designs and aesthetic components like sugar flowers and geodes are included in this category.
- Most wedding cakes are frosted with either buttercream or fondant.
- Buttercream uses sugar and butter, so it's inexpensive and delicious.
- Although fondant is more expensive than regular sugar paste, it allows users greater creative freedom when designing cakes.
- Not even extremely high temperatures can melt fondants.