What’s the cost of a Wedding Cake?

What is a Wedding Cake?

A wedding cake is served at a wedding reception after the main meal has been served. Wedding cakes are a centrepiece at the reception and are sliced by the couple as part of the festivities of the day. Originally, wedding cakes were served as a symbol of good luck to the happy couple. 

A wedding cake is far more decadent and extravagant than a regular cake. It can feature various tiers and be made from any number of ingredients. Traditionally, wedding cakes are made from fruit with a marzipan icing to finish. However these days it’s possible to get a wedding cake in any construction or flavour of your choosing. For example, a sponge cake made of several layers with different flavourings is a popular choice. 

Ultimately, a wedding cake should embody the personalities of the couple. It is there to be enjoyed as the guests raise a toast so should help create that sense of celebration. 

What’s the average cost of a Wedding Cake? 

A wedding cake can be simple or completely over the top, depending on your taste and budget. It’s tricky to say exactly how much you pay as it depends on what you opt for. To give you a rough idea, here’s the average cost of getting a wedding cake made in Canada: 

Factors impacting costs 

When it comes to wedding cakes the sky is the limit! There are so many flavours, sizes and styles that the choice can be dizzying. Factoring in the theme of your wedding can help narrow down what type of cake to opt for. Here are some other price points to help you decide:

• Type of wedding cake 

• Cake size 

• Cake design 

• Cake mixture 

• Cake finish 

• Location 

Type of wedding cake 

If cost is your main concern then a single-tier wedding cake will offer the best value, starting at around $120. This is also ideal for smaller weddings as you won’t have as many guests to feed either.

A more lavish option is a five-tier wedding cake, which can cost as much as $1,200. The price could be higher if the cake is adorned with ornate icing and other luxurious touches. Ultimately, the cost of your wedding cake will depend on the size, its construction as well as the finish. As every company will have a particular price structure the costs will vary. 

Cake size

Your wedding cake has to be big enough to feed all your guests! Taking 100 guests as an example, you would need a cake with at least 3 to 4 tiers, which would cost around $500. Your wedding cake maker is going to need this information beforehand so that they can advise on the type of size you’d need as a minimum. It’s possible to have several tiers to your wedding cake, though this will come at an increased cost compared with something more simplistic. 

Cake design

The design of your cake is where you can start to have some fun and reflect your personality! You also have the option to keep things simple, or even incorporate the overall theme of your wedding. Intricate wedding cake design will be more expensive, not least because of the extra time it would take someone to do. This would include elements such as extensive fondant fabric effects, piping designs or similar hand-painted details. 

Cake mixture

Thinking about the base of your cake is important too. Traditional wedding cakes use fruit that needs time to mature, which may incur an additional cost compared with other mixture types. A simple sponge cake is another great option as you can easily add lots of different flavourings to it. 

Cake finish

From marzipan to royal icing, buttercream to ganache, there are many options for your wedding cake! The finish of your cake will make a huge impact on both the visual presentation but also the cost. Similar to the cake design, the more intricate finishes will be more expensive to complete. A popular new trend is ‘naked’ wedding cakes, which have little or no icing on the outside. 

Location

Most wedding cake makers will also deliver and set up your cake at the venue, so avoid opting for a professional located miles away! If you hire a baker that is some distance from the venue, this will cost more versus hiring someone local. Travel and setup costs should be included in their quote, so double-check this with them before you book. 

Getting a Wedding Cake - is it worth the cost? 

For many couples, a wedding cake is the cherry on top of an unforgettable day! Wedding cakes are also steeped in tradition and are something your guests will also look forward to tucking into after the formality of the ceremony. Even if you’re not a fan of traditional wedding cakes, these days there is something to suit all tastes. Plus, wedding cakes are delicious! 

Wow your guests with your dream wedding cake. Whether you fancy a traditional fruit cake or even a chocolate cake, you can find local bakers to create your wedding cake masterpiece with Bark.