Wedding Cakes

[mickigirl]

My wedding is in June and we still haven't settled on a cake yet. Anyway I have been looking into ways to save money with the cake and this is what I found out. Most grocery store bakerys are cheaper than others. Hy-Vee and Walmart have some beautiful cakes. Also, if you want a large, extravagant cake but can't afford it ask them about making u a fake one. I'm not sure if anyone has heard of this, but I really think they are cardboard or something and then frosted and decorated how u want. The top cake is real so you can save it for your 1st Anniversary. Then you have sheet cakes that you cut and serve for your guests. It ends up costing about half the price this way. If the bakery you go to tells you they aren't sure if they can do it...smile and tell them you will go somewhere else....they usually will accomodate you rather quickly. A friend of mine actually did this at Walmart. Her cake was gorgeous and I tell you noone knew it was fake, not even her bridesmaids. (She recently shared the secret with me because of my upcoming wedding).
Good luck with finding the cake of your dreams!

Micki
June 11th, 2005

[SOM Z28]

The fake cakes aren't a new concept, and they are usually styrofoam! My mom worked in a bakery when I was a kid, and I remember thinking how weird it was that they were frosting a styrofoam 'cake'! But they are lightweight and easy to cut to the right shape and size, so it makes perfect sense.

But beware of thinking that a fake cake will be significantly cheaper. Most times, the frosting and decorations are the most expensive part. It takes a lot of time and effort to make some of those gorgeous cakes you see in magazines.

I'm probably going to have at least one layer of fake cake because I want a huge, beautiful cake. But because I'm having such a small wedding, it makes no sense to waste so much food by having a cake twice the size I need to feed everyone.

[reecey]

My wedding is in June and we still haven't settled on a cake yet. Anyway I have been looking into ways to save money with the cake and this is what I found out. Most grocery store bakerys are cheaper than others. Hy-Vee and Walmart have some beautiful cakes. Also, if you want a large, extravagant cake but can't afford it ask them about making u a fake one. I'm not sure if anyone has heard of this, but I really think they are cardboard or something and then frosted and decorated how u want. The top cake is real so you can save it for your 1st Anniversary. Then you have sheet cakes that you cut and serve for your guests. It ends up costing about half the price this way. If the bakery you go to tells you they aren't sure if they can do it...smile and tell them you will go somewhere else....they usually will accomodate you rather quickly. A friend of mine actually did this at Walmart. Her cake was gorgeous and I tell you noone knew it was fake, not even her bridesmaids. (She recently shared the secret with me because of my upcoming wedding).
Good luck with finding the cake of your dreams!

Micki
June 11th, 2005

We went the route of grocery store cakes with my brother and sister in law. She refused to let anyone see any plans from the wedding and refused to allow anyone to give advice, ask questions, anything - well - day before the wedding she realizes that she forgot about the cake - completely forgot! So we ran to Sams (our walmart doesn't have a bakery) - they had a beautiful 10 inch round cake - plain very simple. Meijer (the local grocery store) had an 8 inch that looked the same. We picked up a square sheet cake also and stacked them and decorated them with berries and edible flowers and used cupcakes around the edges that we also got at the grocery store bakery. The total for the cake that fed 125 people came to 50 dollars! It looked beautiful and simple and worked out :)

[nle5]

We went the route of grocery store cakes with my brother and sister in law. She refused to let anyone see any plans from the wedding and refused to allow anyone to give advice, ask questions, anything - well - day before the wedding she realizes that she forgot about the cake - completely forgot! So we ran to Sams (our walmart doesn't have a bakery) - they had a beautiful 10 inch round cake - plain very simple. Meijer (the local grocery store) had an 8 inch that looked the same. We picked up a square sheet cake also and stacked them and decorated them with berries and edible flowers and used cupcakes around the edges that we also got at the grocery store bakery. The total for the cake that fed 125 people came to 50 dollars! It looked beautiful and simple and worked out :)

I couldn't even imagine forgetting the wedding cake. I bet you guys were in a panic considering you can't just order a wedding cake over night. How did the rest of the wedding turn out since she wouldn't listen or basically allow anyone to help with the planning? Were there other things she forgot to do as well? I ask these questions because I think it is important to have people helping you out and delegating duties to certain people in the bridal party. One person cannot do all of the work for the wedding.

[reecey]

I couldn't even imagine forgetting the wedding cake. I bet you guys were in a panic considering you can't just order a wedding cake over night. How did the rest of the wedding turn out since she wouldn't listen or basically allow anyone to help with the planning? Were there other things she forgot to do as well? I ask these questions because I think it is important to have people helping you out and delegating duties to certain people in the bridal party. One person cannot do all of the work for the wedding.


It was....interesting. The wedding was outside, as well as the reception - the wedding was just down the hill from the reception site on a beautiful old bridge - it looked nice - and right in the middle of the vows, the DJ started blasting an Ozzy Osbourne song. I sent my fiance running up the hill to get them to turn it off - they refused so he ended up turning off the power.

They had no protocol set for people eating (it was a sandwich/munchie buffett) people just started eating right away - they totally forgot to feed their son, who was the ring bearer - he came to me and asked me to help him get food. They ran out of drinks - the photographer was really not very professional and was absolutely TANKED before the whole thing even started. Sad thing is, she spent 9 THOUSAND dollars on this horrible ado. Oh - she got her dress the MORNING OF the wedding - she forgot to confirm her order with the bridal shoppe so it was ordered late and they had to rush it to get it to her that day. She told all the groomsmen that she was paying for their tuxes, she didn't. So they all showed up at the tux shoppe to get them and didn't think to bring money with them - well they all ended up having to pay for them. I'm still trying to figure out where the 9 grand went....My budget is for 6 grand and I have quite the ordeal planned with twice as many people and reputable vendors. Oh - and I already placed my cake reservation :P

[nle5]

It was....interesting. The wedding was outside, as well as the reception - the wedding was just down the hill from the reception site on a beautiful old bridge - it looked nice - and right in the middle of the vows, the DJ started blasting an Ozzy Osbourne song. I sent my fiance running up the hill to get them to turn it off - they refused so he ended up turning off the power.

They had no protocol set for people eating (it was a sandwich/munchie buffett) people just started eating right away - they totally forgot to feed their son, who was the ring bearer - he came to me and asked me to help him get food. They ran out of drinks - the photographer was really not very professional and was absolutely TANKED before the whole thing even started. Sad thing is, she spent 9 THOUSAND dollars on this horrible ado. Oh - she got her dress the MORNING OF the wedding - she forgot to confirm her order with the bridal shoppe so it was ordered late and they had to rush it to get it to her that day. She told all the groomsmen that she was paying for their tuxes, she didn't. So they all showed up at the tux shoppe to get them and didn't think to bring money with them - well they all ended up having to pay for them. I'm still trying to figure out where the 9 grand went....My budget is for 6 grand and I have quite the ordeal planned with twice as many people and reputable vendors. Oh - and I already placed my cake reservation :P

OMG ... I couldn't imagine that happening at my wedding. I am glad I am getting people to help me plan the wedding and take over some of the different tasks. My aunt is making my wedding cake and setting it up at the reception, my mom and the bridal party are going to be making all of the flower arrangements with the silk flowers I am picking up when I have extra money, my uncle is doing the bead work on my veil once I get it made, etc. You really have to delegate such tasks to people who can handle the task. My aunt usually makes wedding cakes, my uncle does bead work professionally, and mom and I have done flower arrangements for other functions. Anyways, my budget is about 9 grand which is because of the amount of people we are having. I really think we are going to be coming way under budget. I just set it high so I wouldn't go over. Plus, we do have to get some vendors out of Sedona, AZ which is expensive.

Reecey, just out of curiosity, when is your wedding planned? I want to know if I am the only crazy one that is actually planning everything a year in advance. My wedding is March 11, 2006. I already ordered my wedding dress, know who the photographer is, know who is doing the wedding cake, who is making the glass blown cake top, etc. I am hoping the months before the wedding things will be calm while I am doing my student teaching. LOL LOL.

[Kelly1Mickey]

nle...nope you are not the only one planning ahead. My wedding is March 19, 2006. We booked the location in October 04. We have the DJ, the officiant, and the ceremony musician. We have 2 more caterers to meet with and that will be decided. We have also decided on the centerpieces and the favors. I even have my something borrowed, etc. already set. I haven't started dress shopping for myself or the girls yet, but I think we are pretty well on our way with most things.

[nle5]

nle...nope you are not the only one planning ahead. My wedding is March 19, 2006. We booked the location in October 04. We have the DJ, the officiant, and the ceremony musician. We have 2 more caterers to meet with and that will be decided. We have also decided on the centerpieces and the favors. I even have my something borrowed, etc. already set. I haven't started dress shopping for myself or the girls yet, but I think we are pretty well on our way with most things.

That's really cool. Your wedding is the weekend after mine and it sounds as if we are on the same track and have about the same things already done. I also know what centerpieces and favors we will have at the reception. We are going to be making our own and so I have been getting things to make them with. Right now my room is packed with wedding stuff from flowers to favor items. LOL. I don't have a lot of storage so have them placed in big storage containers according to what part of the wedding they will be used. Good luck with the planning!

[Yodabean]

I have been planning since January of 04 so a little over a year now and I am getting married this July 23rd. I wish I had more time to plan! The place I wanted my out of town guest to stay at books 2 years in advance so I could not even get a few rooms! That was the same with the place I wanted to get married at, they were already booked for every saturday in June, July and August. Living in Indiana those are about your only choices if you are wanting to have an outside wedding due to the weather!
Luckily my mom still lives in my home town and she had heard thru the small town grapevine that the new golf course was in the process of building a club house and that they would be doing weddings and stuff. So we actually booked the golf course before the building was totally complete....I guess luckily it turned out beautiful! They are a little more expensive than what I had planned on but I think it will all work out in the end. What I think I have decided to do as far as alcohol is I am going to provide 2 kegs, iced tea, and coffee, and some sort of non alcoholic punch. Do you think that is enough? My side of the family all drinks alcohol and my fiances side no-one drinks so I want to make sure I have enough for the people that don't drink. Should I pay the extra $400.00 to have pop at the reception?

[reecey]

OMG ... I couldn't imagine that happening at my wedding. I am glad I am getting people to help me plan the wedding and take over some of the different tasks. My aunt is making my wedding cake and setting it up at the reception, my mom and the bridal party are going to be making all of the flower arrangements with the silk flowers I am picking up when I have extra money, my uncle is doing the bead work on my veil once I get it made, etc. You really have to delegate such tasks to people who can handle the task. My aunt usually makes wedding cakes, my uncle does bead work professionally, and mom and I have done flower arrangements for other functions. Anyways, my budget is about 9 grand which is because of the amount of people we are having. I really think we are going to be coming way under budget. I just set it high so I wouldn't go over. Plus, we do have to get some vendors out of Sedona, AZ which is expensive.

Reecey, just out of curiosity, when is your wedding planned? I want to know if I am the only crazy one that is actually planning everything a year in advance. My wedding is March 11, 2006. I already ordered my wedding dress, know who the photographer is, know who is doing the wedding cake, who is making the glass blown cake top, etc. I am hoping the months before the wedding things will be calm while I am doing my student teaching. LOL LOL.


My wedding is Nov 5, 05 - so no, you're not the only one that started a year or more before. :) I'm a crazy planner - I won't order my dress until June - that'll get it to me at the very most a month before the wedding - plenty of time for alterations -
It makes more sense to get things planned now - you can take advantage of sales - if you already know what you want - you can buy it if it goes on sale between now and when you have to have it - if not, you buy it when you need it and already have the money for it. I have already saved at least 2 grand by starting my planning earlier. Because of booking a year or more in advance of certain things I got discounted rates, don't have to pay raised rates (everything eventually goes up in price) Its easier to get it done now rather than to rush around at the very end. Last minute details are no longer that and its easier to relax the last week before the wedding because you're not running around trying to find something that isn't available because someone already booked it last year :P

[reecey]

I have been planning since January of 04 so a little over a year now and I am getting married this July 23rd. I wish I had more time to plan! The place I wanted my out of town guest to stay at books 2 years in advance so I could not even get a few rooms! That was the same with the place I wanted to get married at, they were already booked for every saturday in June, July and August. Living in Indiana those are about your only choices if you are wanting to have an outside wedding due to the weather!
Luckily my mom still lives in my home town and she had heard thru the small town grapevine that the new golf course was in the process of building a club house and that they would be doing weddings and stuff. So we actually booked the golf course before the building was totally complete....I guess luckily it turned out beautiful! They are a little more expensive than what I had planned on but I think it will all work out in the end. What I think I have decided to do as far as alcohol is I am going to provide 2 kegs, iced tea, and coffee, and some sort of non alcoholic punch. Do you think that is enough? My side of the family all drinks alcohol and my fiances side no-one drinks so I want to make sure I have enough for the people that don't drink. Should I pay the extra $400.00 to have pop at the reception?


Well I certainly don't think they should all be left to drinking water - I would pay the extra for them to have an enjoyable time. 400 bucks seems excessive for pop, but you want your guests to be able to have a good time!

[Yodabean]

I know, they are a little pricey on some stuff. So you think punch and iced tea aren't enought choices then for the non drinkers? They can buy pop at the bar but I have been to a wedding like that where you had to buy your own pop and I thought it was kinds crappy.

Talking about Prices on stuff, what are you guys being charged for your alcohol? My venue is charging $120.00 a keg, I know that is a rip off cause I am a beer drinker and I know you can go up the road and buy a keg for $60.00 but I guess I am stuck paying it. Just wondering what you all are paying ?

[reecey]

I know, they are a little pricey on some stuff. So you think punch and iced tea aren't enought choices then for the non drinkers? They can buy pop at the bar but I have been to a wedding like that where you had to buy your own pop and I thought it was kinds crappy.

Talking about Prices on stuff, what are you guys being charged for your alcohol? My venue is charging $120.00 a keg, I know that is a rip off cause I am a beer drinker and I know you can go up the road and buy a keg for $60.00 but I guess I am stuck paying it. Just wondering what you all are paying ?


I don't know why I missed the punch/coffee/tea part - that should be plenty I would think. I guess I'm not very good at reading this morning LOL! Anyway - yeah I would think that would be plenty - especially when you're talking about 400 bucks for some coke - and I mean the drinking kind :P

[cl_peterson]

That doesn't sound bad for a keg at all. My place charges $450 for a keg. But that is how they make their money, because they aren't charging me for service, bartenders, etc. I mean $120 for a keg but $400 for pop? Um yeah, the keg price sounds very reasonable.