Least Expensive Wedding Features
The following features commonly found at weddings are much cheaper than the must-haves mentioned above. Depending on the scope and elaborateness of these more affordable features, they could still carry a high cost for some or, on the other hand, couples could reduce their expenses on these less-expensive parts of a wedding by getting creative.
1. Favors
The least expensive part of a wedding for most people are the favors that guests receive. On average, the cost of wedding favors was $353 in 2020. Depending on the type and amount of favors offered, the cost of favors could increase or decrease relative to the national average. For this reason, the couple could save money by avoiding expensive party favors.
2. Wedding cake
A wedding cake costs $441, or $6.68 per piece, based on the average number of guests that attended weddings in 2020. There are multiple ways to save money on this expense, however. For instance, the married couple could decide to serve smaller cuts of cake. Alternatively, they could order a smaller version of a wedding cake for presentation and then have a few sheet cakes in the kitchen to feed the mass of people.
3. Invitations
Invitations cost $7.88 each on average , though much fancier invitations can command higher costs for every person. Couples looking to save could reduce their costs by making DIY cards or even going with 100% electronic invitations that are sent out as emails.
4. Transportation
5. Reception DJ
So How Much Do Wedding Cakes Cost
For the purpose of pricing a wedding cake, we are setting our example below on a buttercream covered wedding cake decorated with flowers. Below you will find approximate serving sizes and approximate wedding cake prices for:
1. A tiered wedding cake.2. A choice of wedding fruit cake or mud cake.3. Finger size portions, to serve with coffee or tea.4. Vanilla buttercream frosting.5. Minimal cake decorating.6. A choice of local in-season fresh flowers or man-made silk flowers.
The prices below start from a simple two tiered fruit or mudcake with vanilla buttercream icing, at $5.50 per finger size slice. As we’re going up another tier, we’ve added $0.50 to each slice.
How Much Do Wedding Cakes Cost
Although we are seeing some couples forgo the traditional wedding cake entirely in favor of unique alternatives, like towers of cheese and pie stations, most weddings in the U.S. still include a wedding cake. The cake, after all, is one of the most time-honored wedding traditions in existence, right up there with the dress, the venue, the ceremony, the flowers, etc. That said, figuring out what cake is right for you and your budget is no easy task when there are many factors that impact wedding cake pricing.
Meet the Expert
- Melissa Redell is the co-owner of The Solvang Bakery, a family bakery in Solvang, California.
- Jamaica Crist is the owner and pastry chef at Top Tier Treats in Los Angeles. She opened her shop in 2005.
Cake price is determined by the intricacy of the finished design, the complexity of cake flavor, , and, of course, how many tiers and hand delivery to the venue, says Melissa Redell of The Solvang Bakery in Solvang, California.
Here, the full scoop on all the elements that play into cake pricing to help you figure out exactly what cake is right for your special day.
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Why Do We Cut Cake At Wedding
The cake cutting represents the first activity done as a couple, although historically the bride did this act alone to symbolize the loss of her virginity. These days, the bride requires the grooms assistance and usually they do not cut the entire cake up, but instead leave that duty to the caterer.
Cons Of Buying A Walmart Wedding Cake
If you want a custom design or an unusual cake flavor, you’ll likely find more suitable options at a different bakery. f you have gourmet tendencies or are looking for a cake that will blow your taste buds away, you’ll probably have to pay for a pricier recipe than what Walmart can offer.
- There isn’t a lot of choice among Walmart wedding cakes. You only have a few flavors to choose from.
- Walmart’s cakes aren’t going to start any new viral wedding trends because they follow typically tastes.
- There’s no delivery, you’ll have to have someone you know transport the cake.
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How Many Tiers Should My Cake Have
The number of tiers your cake should have comes down to how many serves of cake you want as well as your wedding aesthetic.
Double barrelled cakes have become extremely popular and may appear as though there is only one tier due to the stacked cake effect. Tiered cakes on top of these double barrels are also very popular. With a double barrelled cake you have more cake involved and are therefore able to serve more couples, but bear in mind that a taller tier may cost you a bit extra.
To give you an idea of what you might want, 48% of all couples choose to have a 3-tiered wedding cake. 31% then opt for 2-tiers, 12% for 4-tiers, and just 9% of couples have a single tiered cake.
Wedding cakes can also be served with different size portions in mind. Consider whether you are serving your cake as dessert or as a side to coffee. Coffee cake portions are smaller so could leave your guests wanting more if you are serving these as dessert. But it could also be a really good way to make a smaller cake get around to more guests.
The Wedding Cake Table
It’s important for the wedding cake to look good, but don’t forget about the surrounding elements on the table. For example, the tablecloth and the cake stand also have a large effect on what the whole picture looks like. Other things you can decorate with include: flowers, ribbons, candles, champagne, glasses, plates, plants, and cutlery.
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Wedding Cost Breakdown: Here’s What The Typical Wedding Budget Looks Like
The data below shows average wedding costs for different spending categories, according to Wedding Wire:
- Venue: $10,500
- Makeup artists wedding party : $70
- Hairstylist wedding party : $70
- Catering : $70
Not all couples will incur all of these expenses, and some will choose to spend far less on certain areas in order to splurge on others.
Let’s take a closer look at variation in costs for some of these major categories.
Which Factors Impact Wedding Cake Prices
Not surprisingly, the bigger and more elaborate a wedding cake is, the higher the cost of a wedding cake will be. A wedding cake featuring lots of design elements, including sugar flowers, fondant details, many tiers, and unique shapes, will cost more than a simpler cake with classic buttercream icing, a few fresh flowers, and fewer tiers. While your flavor choice likely wont have an impact on your wedding cakes price, requesting certain custom flavors may raise your wedding cake cost a bit.
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Average Cost Of Wedding Cake
Note: Wedding cake prices vary greatly from the ordinary wedding cake bakery to the designer wedding cake bakery. If you already know what you want you could save on the designer costs simply by finding wedding cake pictures and showing them to your wedding cake maker.
Below you’ll find different themed wedding cakes to get you started on your dream wedding cake search.
Walmart Wedding Cake Flavor Options
Typical Walmart cakes are either white cake or chocolate cake and those are the only flavors you can get for cupcakes. Some locations also offer yellow, marble, or rainbow blast cakes. In addition to the cake flavor, you can choose a filling flavor for layered cakes. Available filling flavors include:
- Lemon
- Chocolate
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Wedding Cakes For 450 600
The team at Anns Designer Cakes explain that the design at this price range can be a lot more complex: “A good example of this price range would be our naked, royal iced swirl or drip wedding cakes. These cakes are simple in design but by using fresh fruits, berries or silk flowers, we are able to create something very beautiful and personal for a couples wedding.”
This price bracket is the starting range for a three-tier fondant cakes, serving 80-120 people. Couples with a £600 budget for their wedding cake can expect more design work and more flavour choice than the lower brackets.
Place Your Cake In The Spotlight
Before you start cutting, make sure your cake is in the spotlight for all of your guests to see. If youre hiring a photographer to capture every moment you and your partner share while feeding each other, make sure your lighting is directed on your tiered masterpiece to snap every picture just perfectly.
Take it a step further and decorate with an eye-catching backdrop and intricate linen table cover for a simple touch to your set up.
Cutting your wedding cake symbolizes your first activity together as a married couple, so have fun with it! Create a beautiful backdrop or a decorative arch paired with a table cover for your picture-perfect cake cutting celebration.
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The Average Cost Of A Wedding Around The World
The United States is far from the only country where couples spend extravagantly on their nuptials. The data below from WeddingWire shows the average price of a wedding around the world in U.S. dollars, using currency conversion rates as of March 2019.
The United States is the most expensive on the list by a wide margin in terms of average cost, but couples across the globe have a keen interest in making their wedding special and are willing to pay a relatively high price in order to do so.
How Much Is A Wedding Cake
Asked by: Leonie Thiel
The average U.S. wedding cake costs around $350, according to Thumbtack, an online service that matches customers with local professionals. On the lower end, couples spend around $125 and on the higher end, they typically spend upward of $700often over $1,000! on their wedding cake.
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How To Cut Your Wedding Cake Cost In Half
The good news first: Your wedding cake will probably be one of the least expensive items in your wedding budget. But even though its generally considered one of the least expensive items youll have at your wedding , it can still amount to one of your bigger ticket items the fancier you go. The bad news? The average wedding cake cost is rising, just like that dough! In fact, over the past few years weve seen it go up about 14%. The average wedding cake cost in 2019 was $500.
While thats not crazy, the increased cost of those wedding cake slices do add up. So, how do you design your dream wedding cake while sticking to your budget? Read on to find out!
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What Is A Sheet Cake
If you need more cake but dont want to ruin the aesthetic of your cake design you may opt for a sheet cake. A sheet cake is a single layered rectangular cake that your baker can create for you in the same flavour or flavours as your decorative cake.
This can be hidden away in the kitchen and cut up only when cake is served. It means that you can have more cake for your day while saving on the size and decorations of what you actually want on show.
This is a great option for weddings with a lot of guests and could be an option to help you save on your budget by having a smaller decorative cake. Chat with your cake supplier about what is more suitable for your wedding as well as your venue about what facilities they have for cake storage in the kitchen.
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When To Bring Out Your Cake
Its likely everyone is ready for the cake before the reception even starts. If you decided on a full course meal, its common to bring out the wedding cake after you have finished your last course. If you and your partner decided on finger food and small appetizers, the cake is normally brought out shortly after you start your reception.
Either way, announce to your guests when the cake cutting is about to begin so everyone has time to grab a front-row seat to watch.
You Need To Get An Idea Of Your Finances
For starters, you and your future partner NEED to start tracking your expenses.
I use a free, beginner-friendly platform called Personal Capital, but any will do!
With a free app like this one, you can look at all your assets and liabilities , and also set up a budget.
I found this significantly easier for both my husband and I to collaborate instead of just one of us being in charge of a paper copy of our wedding budget.
Thing is, IT IS ALMOST GUARANTEED THAT YOU WILL OVERSPEND FOR YOUR WEDDING.
No joke, there will always be something that you didnt think about. So please think ahead and try to be as prepared as you can! You dont want to use up all your savings or put your parents into debt over your wedding day!
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Want To See More Wedding Cakes Use The Wedding Cake Calculator
Enter the number of guests and the Wedding Cake Calculator will show you the wedding cakes found along with the average cost. You’ll also get more information, such as handy infographics with wedding cake servings charts.
We also explain what the wedding cake costs depends on and what you should pay attention to when ordering.
Your Big Day Will Almost Assuredly Come With A Substantial Wedding Budget
No matter how you add it up, the cost of a wedding is likely to be several thousand dollars at a minimum, even for a small affair.
Couples would be well-advised to consider their budgets carefully and make sound decisions during the entirety of the wedding planning process, including setting limits up front — and sticking to them.
Those who are involved in the wedding planning process should likely also aim to pay for as much of the wedding in cash as possible, rather than relying on credit cards that can carry high interest rates. Charging wedding costs can sometimes add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the final price tag depending on how long the couple pays finance charges.
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