Wedding Cake Options for Brides on a Tight Budget

Wedding Cake Options for Brides on a Tight Budget

It can be difficult to put together a wedding and reception (especially with a large number of guests) and stay within a tight budget.  Many brides find decorating ideas on Pinterest, and along with close friends and family come up with creative yet economical decorations.  There are a lot of wedding details that are suited for the confident DIYer - the wedding cake is not one of them.  Making a wedding cake requires knowledge of baking, skill and artistry, as well as an understanding of engineering - how to make sure the cake doesn't collapse.  

The internet (think Pinterest and wedding sites) along with cake-themed TV shows have done a great job at educating the public on what is possible in wedding cake decoration.  Unfortunately, these media outlets have done a very poor job at

Food Network Cake Challenge

educating the public on what these jaw-dropping cakes can cost.  Many brides are completely shocked when they contact a custom baker with a celebrity cake picture in hand and ask for a quote.  These "show cakes" can cost thousands of dollars.

So, how can a bride on a tight budget get a delicious custom cake without breaking the bank?  I can only speak for myself, but I have several options for those on a strict budget.

Kitchen Cakes

I think of kitchen cakes as sheet cakes on steroids.  I make my kitchen cakes with the same number of cake layers and fillings as the wedding cake.  Kitchen cakes are for brides who are expecting a large number of guests but don't necessarily want a large tiered cake.  Kitchen cakes are perfect for brides who are happy with a smaller tiered cake in the reception hall but need more cake in order to serve all of the guests.  The kitchen cakes are normally cut and plated in the kitchen.  

My kitchen cakes are minimally decorated as they are not meant to be "seen" but are made with the same quality ingredients as the wedding cake.  They are

normally iced in the same style as the wedding cake.  Once the kitchen cake is cut and placed on the plate, it will look just like it was cut from the wedding cake.  Because the kitchen cakes do not take near the amount of time to construct and decorate, their cost is significantly lower then the tiered cake.

Budget 2-Tier Designs

I designed a line of "budget-friendly wedding cakes" that are discounted due to the standard designs.  These budget wedding designs are a 20% savings off the cost of the same size custom cake.  These budget wedding cakes are perfect for the creative DIY bride because they are meant to be embellished with ribbon, flowers, etc. by the customer.  Flowers and ribbons not included (they must be supplied to customer, if needed).

These cakes are 35-40 servings and are perfect for the small, intimate wedding, anniversary or bridal shower.  For those with a larger guest list, these budget wedding designs can be paired with kitchen cakes for even more savings.

Fake Cakes

If you have done any searching on the internet, I am sure you have come across "expert" advice stating that fake cakes a/k/a faux cakes can save a bundle.  Well, maybe...maybe not.  The "savings" depends largely on the design of the cake.  If

Royal Wedding Cake

you are wanting a large 6-tier show-stopper cake like your fave celebrity but you don't need that many servings, I can make some of the layers out of styrofoam fake cake which will save some over the price of real cake.  But, it will not be a significant savings if your design is intricate or overly ornate.  The fake cake layers, commonly used by bakery for display purposes take just as much time and skill to decorate - you just can't eat them.  You would be better off scaling down the size of your cake to save money rather than using fake layers just for show.  However, I do offer this as an option.  Fake cake layers require a deposit and they must be returned in good condition.  The bigger savings come with the larger (10" and above) fake cake layers. 

Non-Tiered Cakes

Tiered cakes are traditionally for weddings, but are not a necessity.  If you have a severely limited budget, you may wish to think "outside the box" and order a standard round cake (or cakes) or even a sheet cake.  I can make a very pretty non-tiered cake that will taste and look great.  This option is great for second marriages or for couples who wish to forego a large display in favor of economy.  

Please keep in mind that these options are what I offer.  Not all cake makers offer these options.  

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Super Easy White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

Super Easy White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

I am sharing a super easy recipe for a pumpkin cake with white chocolate chips.  It seems like the only time I make this cake is around Halloween or Thanksgiving, but if you like that pumpkin pie spice flavor, it would be good anytime.  Since this recipe uses a box cake mix as a base, it is very easy.

Recipe:

1 box yellow cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines -don't use one with pudding in it)

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling-just pumpkin)

1 1/3 cup water

2 TB oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs

3/4 - 1 cup white chocolate chips

This is how I mix it.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Put all of the dry ingredients (except chips) in a bowl and mix with a fork or wisk.

In another bowl (this will be your main mixing bowl), put all the wet ingredients.  I take a hand mixer and give the wet ingredients a spin on low just to break up the eggs and incorporate.

While I have my mixer on low, I add the dry ingredients to the wet at one time.  Once both dry and wet are incorporated, mix on medium for 2 minutes.  Throw in the chocolate chips and hand mix to finish.  You may wish to toss the chips in a little flour first so they don't all sink to the bottom.

Pour into pans and bake until done.  Sorry can't tell you how long - it depends on the size pan you are using.  It will take longer than what it says on the box.  If you are baking an 8", let it go for about 25-30 min. then check.  If the top is jiggly, it needs more time.  Test with a toothpick to see if it is done.

Cakes:

Here are a few Halloween or fall cakes where the pumpkin cake recipe works really well:

Cakes for Men

Cakes for Men

It can be difficult to design a masculine birthday cake or other celebration cake.  Think about when you order a cake from a grocery store bakery - it normally comes with a few roses and an inscription.  Not very manly.  Even though the below cakes are designed for guys, they can work just as well for the gal who shares these interests. 

Sports Themed Cakes

Cakes with a sports theme are the obvious choice for guys.  Team colors can be incorporated to aid in the design.   One of the sports themed cakes that I made for

a young Mississippi State football fan incorporated the school colors and mascot/logo.  I added a jersey with his age for more personalization.

Outdoors Themed Cakes

Some guys (including my husband) are more inclined to enjoy outdoor activities like hunting or fishing.  This fishing theme cake uses an airbrush camo technique along with a gumpaste fish and cattails to create an attractive masculine cake.

Game Themed Cakes

Maybe your guy is more of the indoor game type.  If so, there are all kinds of designs that translate well in cake.  Here is an Nintendo console with controllers cake for the old-school "gamer".

Or, if your guy is more into the unplugged games, here is a great design that

takes advantage of a square cake and molded chocolate pieces.

Cakes for Scholars

For the avid book reader (or perhaps writer), why not incorporate that love of books into a cake design.  Here is one I did that was a relatively simple stack of sheet cakes with buttercream piping.

Military Themed Cakes

Some ideas for the guy who is or has been in the service or otherwise has an interest in the military is a fondant flag drape, a design that incorporates elements of military uniforms or one that replicates weapons.  Here is one with a red, white and blue patriotic theme and another one shaped like a tank.

Party Themed Cakes

For the guy who enjoys a good party (or two or three), here are a couple of cakes along that line.  One is geared towards the motorcycle riding "outlaw" and the other is an old-fashioned Red Solo cup cake.

Miscellaneous

Most guys could probably care less about the "decoration" on the cake, after all, it's food.  Here are a few ideas for undecorated cakes that are still nice to look at, as well.

Free Craftsy Class - Basic Fondant Techniques

Free Craftsy Class - Basic Fondant Techniques

FREE Cratsy Class

Have you heard of Craftsy?  Craftsy is a website full of craft project tutorials.  The tutorials are on video, sort of like Youtube.  Once you have purchased the class, it is yours to access anytime.  The video lessons are divided into segments and you "rewind" when you need to see something demonstrated again.

I have purchased several of the cake decorating tutorials on Craftsy and have not been disappointed with any of them.  The quality of the filming is very good and the instructors are well-known cake artists.  Craftsy normally runs "sales" where you can purchase some of these classes for up to 50% off.

Craftsy also offers several FREE "mini" classes.  These classes are fantastic and I recommend them if you have never used Craftsy before.  Here is a link to the FREE Basic Fondant Techniques.

This class is taught by Elisa Strauss, owner of Confetti Cakes in New York.  Basic Fondant Techniques has 10 lessons covering topics such as:  coloring, flavoring and handling fondant, covering round and square cakes with fondant, making a fondant rose and bow, appliques, inlays and embossing.  Wow-can you believe all that for free?

See those pink and brown flowers on this cake board?  Those are "inlays".  

These hearts are an example of fondant appliques.

Here is an example of a cake and board covered entirely in fondant.

NOTE:  I am a Craftsy affiliate and receive compensation when you purchase classes or join.  I am also a Craftsy member and enjoy their classes!