What's typically cheaper?

hanson2B

I'm not ready to start interviewing bakeries yet, but people keep asking me what I'm doing about cake, so I thought I'd start by asking on here.  What's usually the cheaper option for wedding cake -- a big multi-tiered cake that feeds all the guests, or a smaller decorated cake for the bridal party and sheet cakes for the guests?  Seems like the sheet cakes would be cheaper, but I've heard rumors that the prices are acutally comperable.  What have you girls found?  By the way, I do not want to do cupcakes.  thanks!

waltzingmatilda13

Sheet cakes can be cheaper if you do it right. I've heard of lots of people faking their multi-tiered cake and then serving sheet cakes. They have 1 layer of actual cake, (usually the top tier) for the traditional cake cutting, and the rest is styrofoam covered in fondant or icing. Then you're only paying for 1 tier of actual cake. Then sheet cakes are generally cheaper because they aren't as complicated or decorated, but you can still get great flavors.

sarahbethski04

If i were you, I'd think of what you really wanted before going with what's cheaper. If you really have your heart set on a multi-tiered cake you can probably find a bakery that will do what you would like for a price that is where you want to be. On the other hand if you like the look of sheet cakes better then go with those. If you really want something there's probably a way to make it happen for an affordable prices regardless. I would ask around, sometimes people know people who know people ect that can give you a great deal.

I Want Cake

It really depends on the baker.  If the design is complicated, it can cost nearly as much to cover styrofoam as it does to cover a real cake.  My cake is pretty complicated, so the cost would've been close to identical.

Sue-n-Kevin

We are having a small 2 layer cake, decorated like a standard wedding cake, for us to cut. We are getting sheetcakes from Costco for $16 each, each feeds 48 people. Our venue has a kitchen and the sheetcakes will be cut for the guests.

Costco's sheetcakes are fabulous! They have creamy centers like vanilla cheesecake mousse, chocolate mousse, and their standard decorations include one with all white frosting & flowers. No need to personalize it.

hz80408

I think typically sheet cakes.

I told my baker my budget, my ideals (round 3 tiers) and my count...she suggested that she could do a 4 tier round cake by making the diameters a little small than the 3-tier we get the extra height to help it appear bigger.  Then she'll probably sheet cake for the rest.

Her pricing is $2.25/slice for wedding cake, and for the sheet cake it equals out to $0.78/slice...so for us, sheet is way cheaper

hanson2B

Thanks ladies!  Sounds like I'll just have to wait and see, but it's nice to know I have options   I had never heard of the styrofoam "false" cake before!