Lets Talk Wedding Cake Costs

Planning your wedding cake or dessert table is one of the most exciting parts of wedding prep, but it can also be a bit of a budget puzzle. You may have seen a range of prices and wondered, "Why does one cake cost X while another costs three times as much?" Let’s break it down, so you know exactly what goes into pricing and how to budget wisely, without having a meltdown over fondant.

What Goes into the Cost of a Wedding Cake or Dessert Table?

1. Size and Servings: The bigger the cake or dessert table, the heftier the price tag. A cake that serves 50 guests will naturally cost less than one feeding 150. But here’s the thing, if you have 50 guests but still want a show-stopping six-tier masterpiece, artificial tiers (also known as dummy tiers) will be needed to achieve that grand look. And while these tiers aren’t edible, they still require the same level of craftsmanship, decoration, and setup, so they will still add to the cost. So, yes, a cake for 50 will be smaller... unless you want it to be big, in which case, it’ll still cost more!

2. Flavours and Fillings: Basic vanilla sponge? Affordable. A luscious white chocolate and rhubarb cake with almond praline? A bit more. Premium ingredients like Belgian chocolate and fresh, locally sourced fruits bring extra flavour, and extra cost. And let’s talk about ingredient prices, because wow, have they skyrocketed! Chocolate alone has gone from around £60 per 10kg to over £200 in the last two years. That’s a huge leap, and it’s why a cake maker might not be able to commit to a price years in advance. Unfortunately, we don’t control the global cocoa market (although if we did, imagine how much chocolate we’d hoard!).

3. Design Complexity: A simple buttercream cake with fresh flowers will cost a lot less than one featuring intricate hand-painted details or a cascade of sugar flowers that took hours (and probably some minor existential crises) to create. Just to give you an idea, a single sugar rose can take an hour to make, yes, one rose. Now imagine a whole cascade of them. And hand-painting a cake? That can take ten hours or more, depending on the level of detail. So when you see a cake that looks like a piece of art, it’s because it is a piece of art, one that takes skill, patience, and a whole lot of love (and caffeine) to create.

4. Labour and Expertise?: Cake artists don’t just wake up one day knowing how to create edible works of art. Years of experience, countless late nights, and lots of practice go into that perfect wedding cake. These aren’t mass-produced, they’re made to order, often requiring hours (if not days) to complete. And let’s not forget the rigorous process of recipe testing. Someone has to eat those cake samples... it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it! Plus, you're paying for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your cake is in expert hands. No one wants to be worrying about cake mishaps on their wedding day!

5. Delivery and Setup: Your wedding cake isn’t just tossed into a car and dropped off like a pizza. Transporting a multi-tiered cake is an Olympic sport, requiring delicate handling, on-site assembly, and sometimes even emergency touch-ups. Depending on the complexity of the setup and how far the cake needs to be carried from the car to the setup spot, this process can take a couple of hours. And let’s not forget about the joy of navigating hotel hallways, elevator rides, and miles of corridors before finally reaching the ballroom. Cake delivery: it’s a workout and a patience test, all rolled into one!

6. Custom Elements: Want a sugar-paste model of your dog, like your adorable puppy Patch, looking exactly like him? These one-of-a-kind elements take time and artistry to get just right. From capturing the fur details to that perfect little expression, custom work like this can add artistry, and extra hours to the process.

Why Do Wedding Cakes Generally Cost More?

If you’ve ever compared wedding cake prices to birthday cake prices and felt personally attacked, here’s why:

• Consultations & Design Work – Wedding cakes involve consultations, design sketches, and multiple tweaks before any batter is even mixed.

• Exclusive Focus – Unlike celebration cakes, which bakers can churn out alongside other orders, wedding cakes often require an entire week of dedicated attention.

• Structural Elements – Multi-tiered cakes need internal supports, dowels, and careful construction so they don’t collapse into a sugary disaster mid-reception.

• Setup & Delivery – A birthday cake? Handed over in a box. A wedding cake? Delivered, set up, and styled to perfection.

Now, if you decide not to tell your cake artist that your cake is for a wedding, that’s totally fine! But just know that you probably won’t get all the bells and whistles - no full consultation, no fancy setup, and most likely, no specific delivery time. You might get a simple "Here’s your cake!" at the venue’s front desk. If that works for you, fantastic! It’s a great way to save money, and I’ve handed off plenty of wedding cakes this way.

How to Budget for Your Wedding Cake or Dessert Table

1. Start with Your Guest Count: More guests = more cake. Simple math!

2. Decide on Priorities: Dreaming of a grand cake but need to save? Opt for fewer tiers and add gateaux cakes (sheet cakes served behind the scenes). For dessert tables, pick a few standout items rather than going overboard.

3. Be Honest About Your Budget: If you tell your cake designer what you can spend, you’ll both know you’re on the same page right from the start - no awkward conversations about being over budget, and no need to take the fun ghosting route. Cake artists fully understand that couples may want to focus their wedding budget elsewhere, and that’s perfectly okay - just let us know! We’re here to help you make the best cake decisions for your day, whether that’s a grand showstopper or something more budget-friendly.

4. Plan for Extra Costs: Delivery fees, cake stand rentals, and even venue cutting fees (yes, some places charge per slice to cut and serve your cake - wild, right?) can add up, so factor these in!

Potential Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Venue Cutting Fees – Yes, some venues actually charge you for the "privilege" of cutting your cake.

• Extra Servings – Our wedding cakes are designed with standard wedding cake portions in mind, and you'll receive a handy cake cutting guide with your handover sheet. If the cake is cut according to the guide, you'll be able to serve the number of guests planned for. But if you decide to serve generous, movie-style slices (think: Matilda cake moment), the cake may not stretch as far as intended. So, stick to the guide for maximum servings, and maybe save the big slices for after the party!

• Next Day Collection – If you're opting for a full dessert table setup, a next-day collection fee will apply. This fee is included in the cake stand/plate hire, but it's a cost to consider when planning. After all, someone has to come back, navigate the post-wedding chaos, and safely gather up all those beautiful stands and platters - no easy task when the room looks like a glittery celebration bomb went off!

Final Thoughts

Your wedding cake or dessert table is more than just dessert, it’s an edible masterpiece, a showpiece, and a delicious memory in the making. Knowing what goes into pricing and budgeting wisely means you get the cake of your dreams without unexpected costs sneaking up on you. And hey, whether it’s a towering five-tier beauty or a single elegant cutting cake, it’s the love and celebration that make it truly special (but also, the cake helps!).