FAQs
It’s best to figure out first how many servings of wedding cake you need before you decide on a design. It’s helpful to estimate how many people will actually attend the wedding and not just rely on the size of your guest list. You also want to consider how the cake will be served. If you plan to serve your cake at their tables as dessert, you should order one slice per person. But if instead, you’ll have a cake table where guests will serve themselves, it’s perfectly acceptable to drop the total number of slices by 15-20%. If you’ll have more desserts than just cake, you might be able to drop that to even 50%. If you’re going to have two cakes of different flavors - one for the bride and one for the groom - you’ll need more cake than if you had all of the same flavors, as guests often want to try them both.
Wedding cake pricing largely depends on four key factors - size (number of slices needed), complexity (decorations, cake shape, flavors, and ingredients), the popularity of the bakery, and where you live. Most bakers charge by the slice so a cake for 200 is double the price of a cake for 100 guests. The average wedding cake cost runs between $4 and $5 per slice but that can vary from $2.50 to $8 per slice. The more tiers, the more labor is involved and thus a 4 tiered cake runs more than a 3 tier cake. Unique cake shapes, intricate decorations, exotic colors, multiple flavors, and expensive fillers will all impact how much you need to spend. Fondant icing runs higher than buttercream. It’s possible that a small baker who only bakes one cake a day will give you a break for a Friday, Sunday, or mid-week wedding. Keep in mind when you buy a cake, though, you are paying not just for the cake but also consultations, cake tastings, and any delivery/set-up services. Dietary considerations will impact the price as well (gluten-free, dairy-free, etc).
How far in advance you need to order your week can depend on the size of the bakery, time of year, and the day of the week on which your wedding will be held. You’re wise to order six months in advance but, at a minimum, three months. Some home-based bakers will only take one wedding cake order per day and can be booked a year in advance for your date. If you’re getting married during a popular season in your area, you will want to lock this down further in advance. If you’re having a Friday, Sunday, or mid-week wedding, less lead time may be required. Check with your venue to see if the cake is already included.
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