Savvy Wedding Cake Shopping! My Top Ten Tips on Getting the Best for Less

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When making the all important wedding cake decision, it was really important for me to find an amazing cake at an amazing price. Sound like a tough feat? Actually, it wasn’t so bad! Here are my top ten tips on how to shop for a wedding cake and stay with (or maybe even under!) your cake budget.

1. Keeping the Design Simple
A simple, but lovely, Swiss-dot pattern, is a lot less expensive than labor-intensive lace patterns or intricate and detailed designs. So when choosing your cake design, basic is the way to go. Get your cost even lower by opting for a perfectly smooth surface with strips of wide ribbon tied around each tier.

2. Faux it
If a grand, tall, dramatic cake is what your heart desires, but your budget just won’t allow it, you can ask to have the bottom tiers made out of real cake and the rest out of iced Styrofoam. Ta-da!

3. Cherished cake topper
Ask parents or grandparents for an heirloom antique topper. It makes a nice personal touch and it’s free!

4. Fresh costs less
Consider topping your cake with fresh fruit or flowers. Though this idea may see more costly, it’s actually less! Sugar-icing and marzipan decorations are labor-intensive and therefore more costly. Maybe even consider some non-heavy fruits that won’t sink into the cake, such as cherries, strawberries or small bunches of sugared champagne grapes.

5. Everyone Loves Dessert
I went to a wedding where this one done and absolutely LOVED the idea! Instead of the traditional wedding cake serve cupcakes, cheesecakes, pastries or pies stacked in tiers or some other fancy display.

6. For Display Only
Use a small, beautifully designed wedding cake for the ceremonial cutting, but then have a few sheet cakes in the kitchen to serve your guests with.

7. Go with just one flavor
Sure the idea of all those cake flavors is exciting, but you’ll save a lot of money if your cake maker only has to make one type of cake and filling.

8. Shape Up
The shape of the cake is where you can really save big. A standard square cake will serve 10 to 30 percent more people than a round cake of the same dimensions

9. Skip the Groom’s Cake
True, this is a fun idea and tradition, but groom’s cakes can definitely be on the pricey side—especially if you’re going for an elaborate theme. Plus, guests really don’t expect a groom’s cake, so why spend the extra money?

10. Stick with a Pro
Sure, it’s tempting – to go with a well-meaning friend, or a baker who’s brand new to the wedding cake biz, but it’s important to keep in mind that this could end up costing you more in failed attempts. With so many options out there, it’s always best to work with a pro – you’ll be able to find one who can make you a beautiful wedding cake and stay within your budget.

[SOURCE: brides.com]

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