Cakes and cake alternatives?

btrflykate1230

Where did you get your cake?

What should I expect to spend on a cake? I'm having 130-140 people at my wedding.

If you don't mind answering, what are you paying for your cake?

Is anyone doing something other than a cake (like cupcakes or a candy bar)?

Anything I should know about, like hidden fees, associated with cakes?

Thanks ladies!!

Gabs71109

We got our cake from Jacques. I do not know their  prices as my cake was included in my wedding package. I can say that their cakes are DELICIOUS. So good!

If you are looking to cut down on price you can always get a smaller wedding cake for the cutting and then have sheet cakes that can be served to your guests.

We did a candy buffet as our favor which was a huge hit but it certainly did not replace the cake. People look forward to/expect cake.

GL!

cg-pm52111

We're getting out cake from Patisserie Bleu in Nashua.  We are having about the same number of people as you are and we are getting a 3 tier cake and either a 1/2 or 1/4 sheet cake depending on how many people RSVP.  I think it was about $415 for everything if we got the half sheet and $383 if we got the 1/4 sheet.  We are also serving the top tier because they make us a free cake on our anniversary.  This price also includes the delivery fee.

I will also say that the type of decoration you get can drive up the cost.  So in general, the more simple you can make the cake, the better!

dls.1215

We are having our cake made at Jacques and I forget the final price but I believe it is around 300-350 for approximately 100 people.  Like cg-pm said the decoration affects the price.  We are also doing a 3 teir with a sheet cake in the back because it was much cheaper ($100 I think)  Circle cakes are the cheapest, then shapes vary in price from there usually.

EDK2010

Where did you get your cake?
Black Bunny Bakery

If you don't mind answering, what are you paying for your cake?
I am not sure of the exact price but it was roughly around $600 for 250 people, delivery/set-up, cupcake stand and decorations for the cupcake stand.

Is anyone doing something other than a cake (like cupcakes or a candy bar)?
We are having a cupcake tower, with a small cake at the top for us to cut. The stand was included in the price and we had the option of square or circle.

We are also having a candy buffet as our favor along with a charitable donation!

[Deleted User]

I'll pipe in about fees - funny shapes or excessive deocrations usually drive up the cost of a cake.  Some venues will charge to CUT the cake PER SLICE which I find absolutely ridiculous.  Some venues will allow you to have a dessert bar (Viennesse Table) for an extra fee to supplement the cake as well.

Our cake was from Fredericks and part of our venue package, so I am unsure of the overall price.  The top tier was not counted toward guests so that we could keep it for our anniversary.  I believe the going rate for wedding cake is about $3-4 per slice depending on the baker, flavors, decorations, etc.

btrflykate1230

Thank you so so much!! This information is SO helpful!

I estimated about $600 so I'm glad I overestimated and can put that money towards something else.

AmiG41209

I'm using Crosby's Bakery in Nashua.  Its locally owned and very mom and pop but they have delicious goods. I grew up getting cookies from there with my grandparents.

They charge $2.50 per slice, which is way cheaper than the $4-$4.50 per slice I've seen other places.  The only thing they don't do is fonadant (sp?) but I'm a buttercream girl anyway, so I'm fine with that.

shauni27

Just a thought if you are trying to save money on cakes...look at independent bakers.  In the area where I live, there are very few bakeries that make wedding cakes...and if they do, they are close to $4 a slice (which with 200+ people adds up!).  I found a woman who used to work at a bakery and is doing my whole 4 tiered cake to serve 200 people for $1 a slice!  Her cakes are delish and we are not being charged a delivery fee (again because she is independent).  I also made sure my caterer's would not charge a cutting fee and they are providing cake plates at no extra cost.  I highly recommend looking at independent bakers.  Ask around, post on craigslist maybe?  Good luck!

Mysticstarz33

I am getting my cake from Jacques.  Square tiers are more money than round.  My cake is for about 50 people 3 tiers with different flavors and fillings in each tier and it came to $330
The same cake made with square tiers instead of round would have been $460

I also had the option of doing a smaller 3 tier cake with a sheet cake and that would have been a total of 270
HTHs

Here is a pic of my cake

kelstar824

This is not a cake alternative, but its a different way to serve the cake that (other than my wedding) I have not seen....

We had the cake cut and served buffet style all night. Rather than having it brought over to people's tables right after dinner it was cut as needed and placed on a large table. This allowed people to eat their cake later in the evening or whenever they wanted. We had 2 different flavors so this was also a way for people to choose what flavor they wanted - rather than just get what they were served.
We also had cake boxes out for guests to take a slice home with them for a midnight snack or whatever

HTH
Good luck!
~ Kelly

DirtyWater

PI2  I forget the town its in is awesome.  They specialize in making a gorgeous fake cake as big as you want it.  Then they make as many sheet cakes as you need to keep in the back.  They are delicious!  I've been to 3 weddings now who have used them.  They also did the girl from King of Queens cake.  Her name slips my mind right now.  You can save a TON buy doing this.