Ask Your Baker for Cost Cutting Ideas
If you have found the perfect person to create your wedding cake, but are finding the cost estimates a bit hard to swallow, ask for some advice from the professionals. Most bakeries understand bridal couples are working within a specific budget and will be glad to help you find ways to use their services in a more cost-effective manner. Creative Cakes, in Tinely Park, offers brides and grooms an amazing selection of cake designs to fit any budget. Because most wedding couples do not get a final number of attending guests until close to the wedding date, this bakery will allow you to place an "extra servings" order two weeks prior to your ceremony to be sure that you have enough for everyone. Make sure to browse the coupon section for possible discounts and price breaks.Cupcake Tree
Another option, if you find yourself in a time or budget crunch, is the increasing popularity of cupcakes. Designers are creating amazing forms for displaying cupcakes and, as their popularity grows for all types of celebrations, more and more unique designs will come onto the market. Simple decorations are a must on such a small decorating platform and there is no need for special knives or portion control. All of these factors will help trim a budget overrun.Dessert Table
For a completely different approach to your wedding cake, think about skipping it entirely and providing a dessert table for your guests. Theme-based desserts such as tea cakes and delicate pastries are perfect for an afternoon wedding or a high tea reception. A selection of pies, from southern pecan and sweet potato to pumpkin and blackberry would be a wonderful option for a fall wedding. Cheesecakes come in such a wide range of flavors, a wedding dessert table could be filled with a dozen different flavors or focused on one specialty topping.Bake Your Own Wedding Cake
Don't let the fancy pictures in bridal magazines and on the Internet intimidate you. Anyone with a reasonable amount of experience can bake a wedding cake. Make sure to allow for plenty of time and make a few small practice cakes to be sure of your skills. If you think you can't handle one more task on the wedding planning list, ask an experienced friend or family member. All Recipes has more than thirty recipes for wedding cakes. If you keep the cake simple, or decorate with fresh flowers, you can keep your costs to a minimum.Other Wedding Cake Budget Tips
Regardless of who bakes your cake, there are a few simple guidelines which will help you stay on budget. Consider one small, fancy cake for the reception table and serve guests from sheet cakes stored in the kitchen for your guests. Square cakes will provide more slices per cake than round cakes. Ask your caterer to make your cake and well as provide your food. Most professional caterers have the experience and can get the ingredients at wholesale costs. You may be provided a discount because of your other arrangements.Your wedding cake doesn't have to be designed by an artist and cost a fortune to look beautiful and taste delicious. Staying on budget and not going overboard will provide far more lasting memories than a couple of extra layers of cake on a single day. Simple can be beautiful and guests will not be looking at their plates trying to decide which part of your wedding cake they received. By taking some simple steps to trim your costs, you will be able to savor the symbolic sweetness of your first day of marriage and start your new life off on solid financial footing.
