Cake is a tradition in many wedding celebrations. Much emphasis is placed on this important part of the refreshment offerings. For that reason, it is one place where couples feel the need to go all out. The design of the cake is an expression of who you are as a couple. (Or, so the wedding-industrial complex would lead you to believe.)
According to sources, wedding cakes in the U.S. cost an average of $500. Cakes for big events, like weddings, are charged by the slice. While it is hard to say what the size of a "slice" is, exactly, a cake slice can range anywhere from $2.50 to $8, depending on the complexity of design and ingredients used. For the most sophisticated cakes, couples may be charged as much as $12 per slice.
According to the afore mentioned sources, most guests won't eat more than a couple of bites of the cake anyway. And in a "family style" serving situation where guests can simply pick up a piece of already-sliced cake from the table, many guests won't even have cake at all.
Why would you spend $500 or more on a cake that no one is going to eat?
It is usually better to err on the side of caution, as a good host, and presume that all of your guests will have a slice of cake-- because you never know, they might.
And if you are going to offer your guests cake, you want it to taste good and look nice, right?
So, here are some simple suggestions for cake that will not break the budget.
Big Box Stores
Your local grocery stores generally have in-house bakeries where things like cakes, muffins and donuts are sold. Generally, these bakeries will take orders for more specialized treats like birthday and wedding cakes. The price you pay will depend on where you live and what store you go to, but one online search yielded a multi-tiered Walmart cake for only$80-- a big drop from $500.
Big Box Stores II
If you wanted something a little more sophisticated than what your big box stores offer, consider ordering a very simple design from your grocery store bakery and adding decorations to it yourself. You would be surprised what an Amazon search for "edible cake decorations" can turn up. You can find flowers, butterflies, and decorative elements such as balls and beads-- all edible. You might conduct an online search to find a design that you like and then see if you can find a way to replicate it at home.
DIY
If you're pretty good at baking or know someone who is, then this is the time to shine. Feel free to experiment. It might be fun to take a few practice runs before settling on one design.
Show Cake
So, in the world of first birthdays, it would be a smash cake. In the world of weddings, it would be a show cake. You have a smaller cake decorated to the nines to show off, and a sheet cake that you would cut up and serve to your guests.
Cupcakes
Cupcakes are making the rounds at weddings as a simple but stylish alternative to the traditional wedding cake. You can get them in all kinds of flavors and styles, and they are so much easier to serve than a cake that must be cut.
Going Cake-less
There's no law stating you must have a cake. You can offer your guests a wide array of refreshments and cake doesn't even have to be on the menu. This is especially true at a less-formal gathering like an open house.
Keeping costs low means being careful with every element of your wedding. If you are looking to keep have a $1000 wedding, then these cake options can help you with that goal. It might be kind of fun to see what you can come up with when you get creative.
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