I am ALWAYS looking for a way to “cut costs”.  Not because I’m cheap but because I’m smart!  Why spend extra money if you don’t have to??

I had posted Cut your cost – centerpiece ideas a while back and thought today we should save some money on cake.  Wedding cakes can be extremely expensive.  On average, they can run about $550, YIKES!! Usually you are charged per slice and each can run anywhere from $1.50 to $4 or $5.  Seems like a huge expense to spend on cake.  A $5 piece of cake?  For that price it better feed you itself!!

Here are a few ways to cut your cost on wedding cakes…

Wedding packages that include the cake

found at LDS Wedding Receptions

Some wedding venues offer wedding packages.  They usually have about three to choose from depending on how much you are willing to spend.  Most packages that I have seen include the cake.  If you find one of these, it can definitely save you some money.

Bake your own

found at About.com Weddings

If you want to save money on your wedding cake, perhaps the cheapest option is to bake your own.  I know most of us aren’t the best bakers, but with a little practice a beautiful cake is totally possible.  I found a great step by step wedding cake tutorial that seems doable, even if you are kitchen challenged.  To make decorating easier, you could just ice the cake and add some flowers, petals, ribbon or beads.  A homemade cake would be so charming and a huge money saver!

If you do decide to bake your own cake but feel overwhelmed with the decorating, call some bakeries.  There are some that will provide “decorating only” service.  This will allow you to have a professional looking wedding cake at a fraction of the cost.

Fake the Cake

found at No Knows Weddings

Believe it or not the cakes above are FAKE!  Fake wedding cakes are becoming a popular choice for brides on a budget.  A fake cake can save hundreds of dollars, so it seems like a no brainer.  Here is how it works….

Companies like Fake the Cake, Rent the Cake of Your Dreams, and Atlanta Cake Rental allow you to customize a fake cake.  Their cakes are made of styrofoam and can be completely customizable.  Usually the top-tier of the cake is real so that the couple can still participate in the cake cutting ceremony.  No one will know the cake is fake and after cake cutting, it will be wheeled into the kitchen.  You do want your guests to eat cake so have an inexpensive sheet cake in the back for the staff to cut and serve.   GREAT IDEA, right??

Cut down the cake size

found on Cake Channel

If you can’t see yourself using a fake cake, consider using a smaller wedding cake instead.  Of course it won’t feed all the guests, but will give you a pretty cake for cutting purposes.  Again, a larger, cheaper sheet cake can be cut for the guests to enjoy.  A smaller wedding cake is guaranteed to be a money saver.

Cupcakes

found at The Cupcake Blog

Another way to cut your cost on cake is to consider cupcakes.  This is also a growing trend and an alternative that I personally LOVE!  You will need to compare the price of cupcakes -vs- cake, but usually cupcakes are more reasonably priced.  Or, if you’d prefer, you could make your own.  This would save you much more money.

Borrow, borrow, borrow

found at Ava’s Wedding

When I say borrow, I don’t mean the cake… but you can save some money by borrowing a cake topper, cake stand, or a cake cutting set.  Why not?  You only use them for a few hours and they usually just end up in a box or collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. You could also pinch some pennys by making your own cake stand.  Check out my DIY cake stand post for some great inexpensive ideas!