Recession Busting Wedding Cakes

“I was thinking it would be bad to call and say, what do your “wedding” cakes start at, because now they know it is a “wedding” cake.

“Could I just ask how much a 3 layered (tiered) cake for 130 people would start at? And if they ask what type of event is it for, I can say a “party”? Or do you think they will catch on? Attached are some basic ideas of what I may want our cake to look like, but with different color bands, and probably only 3 teirs/layers. I have a feeling they might catch on when they see our idea unfold??  How should I deal with the cake issue?”

First, I do NOT recommend lying.  It has a way of coming back to bite you in the ass later on.  Plus, if you want a wedding vendor to work with you lying doesn’t exactly encourage a good relationship.

If you know exactly what wedding cake you want (like this bride seems to) it might be possible to get a price quote via email up front BEFORE you drop the “wedding” word.  However, since what she’s asking for is a traditional wedding cake it’s likely she’ll get quoted typical “wedding” prices.

Here are a few ideas about what I mean…

Buy an assortment of delicious cakes from your favorite bakery and offer your guests a selection. Imagine the impressive display of 6-8 beautiful, delicious cakes (often much less expensive and much more tasty than traditional wedding cakes.)  At a bridal show just yesterday the bakery had an oreo cookie cake, a lemon cake, a Bailey’s Irish creme cake, a raspberry cake…so tempting!  You can still have a small wedding cake to cut, if you like.

Choose a smaller decorative wedding cake then serve sheet cakes behind the scenes. Most of the cost of a wedding cake is in the preparation of multiple tiers, fondants and icing.  Cut the prep time and you cut the cost.  Have a small cake for cutting and display, then serve the same flavor sheet cakes in the back.  Your guests will never know the difference.

The ever-popular wedding cupcakes. Cupcakes are inexpensive, cute and just the right size.  Guests LOVE them.

Serve assorted pastries and cookies instead of cake. Think cannolis, napoleons, lemon bars, eclairs, cream puffs…Get as creative as you want.  Does your aunt make a killer chocolate chip cookie recipe?  Showcase the family recipes at your wedding.

The theme here is BE CREATIVE. Going “non-wedding” means thinking outside the box.  That’s where the real savings live.