Saving Money with a Homemade Wedding Cake
As many couples try to find ways to cut down on the cost of their wedding, many are finding that making a homemade wedding cake is a great way to do that.
While it would be great to be able to choose the fanciest cake featured in Bride’s Magazine, keep in mind that such cases come at quite a cost. For high end cakes expect to pay $10 per serving and up. More typical bakeries charge an average of between $3 and $5 per slice.
Some brides that would like to save money by making a homemade wedding cake think that they do not have the necessary skills. While some baking and decorating skills are needed, you certainly do not have to be a master baker!
Many crafts and cake supply stores offer baking and cake decorating classes. Some of these classes are free while others charge a small fee. In either case it is worthy of an investment of your time and money. You will learn some tips and skills that will come in very handy when you go about the task of making your wedding cake. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Keep it Simple
One of the best pieces of advice for someone who is attempting to make such an important cake for the first time is to keep it simple. A simple cake can still be elegant and beautiful. Just carefully consider whether or not you want to include any detailed piping and stenciling on your cake. Doing those things well is a lot more difficult (and time consuming) than it may look.
Instead choose a design that does not require advanced decorating skills so that your cake can be as beautiful as possible.
Do a Test Run
Unless you do have a bit of baking experience, it is a good idea to do a test run of your cake a few months before the wedding. Some brides learn that they have bit off a bit more than they can chew. If you do a test run far enough in advance of the big day, it will leave you time to order a cake should the homemade wedding cake not work out.
Buy the Flowers
If your homemade wedding cake design includes fancy edible flowers, consider buying them rather than trying to make them. Most cake supply stores will sell such flowers that are ready to be placed on your cake.
You may want to keep the number of such flowers that you need to a minimum. Because they are handmade, the cost for these flowers can add up fast.
Assemble Onsite
If at all possible, assemble your homemade wedding cake at the venue rather than trying to transport it after it is done. If you hit even one bump in the road on the way to the venue it could cause all of your hard work to come tumbling down.
Making a homemade wedding cake is a good idea as a way to save money. Just decide if the tradeoff of time and frustration is worth the money that you’ll save.