$12/person for cake?

~Sara~ · August 2011

That seems outrageously high to me, given our anticipated 200 guests. Is this common in a hotel-venue?

MelissaC315 · August 2011

That seems really high but it can vary depending on where you are in the country. I'm guessing Orange County is pricier than most. In my area, the average cost per person/slice tends to be $3.50- 4.50.

~Sara~ · August 2011

I can use an outside caterer, but the cutting fee is $6/person. That may still be more cost-effective. Hmm. This might just be enough to push me go with my gut instinct of no-cake.

NOLAbridealmost · August 2011

12 dollars a person is nuts. I don't care where you are in the country. I've never heard of over 9 (and that is like THE highest I've ever heard).

mollyehren · August 2011

In say either cupcakes or cake pops. Bliss Bakery in Omaha makes them for $1.25 a piece and they are good for up to 2 weeks. Maybe you could have them shipped to you

~Sara~ · August 2011

Cupcakes sound like a great idea (and my kids would love them). I just received an e-mail from my second-choice venue and their cake is priced at $9-18/person...so guess this is normal for around here. Let's see if I can beat the system with cake-alternatives. haha. Thanks everyone.

FaithCaitlin · August 2011

Wow.. those prices are ridiculous!

I agree with the girls: either do cake pops or cupcakes to avoid the high fees!

deanabuonincontri · August 2011

That is insane! I know that where you are in the country dictates price, but that is crazy! Good luck!

nannewmur · August 2011

In Louisville, KY it is $2.75-$8.00, depending on many different factors.

031107 · August 2011

Do any of you watch the show Ace of Cakes? On his website he states there is a $1000 minimum for ANY cake. That only covers the cake. Any decoration is extra.

Carlo's Bakery (Cake Boss) use to have under their FAQ section "how much do your cakes cost" and the answer was basically "because everything is custom for each client we don't have a price/serving, but wedding cakes average $15-$18/serving".

Is $12 per person expensive? Yes
Is $12 per person out of my budget? Yes
Is $12 per person outrageous? Not if your budget allows for it.

Matty143 · August 2011

I also live in OC and the cake I got for my sisters bridal shower was $90 and it was supposed to be enough for about 25 guests. (It was a big Tiffany box with a 3D bow and all).
There was tons left over, but the reason it was so expensive was because is was fondant. Could that be part of the $12 ?

What hotel are we talking about?

ElisabethJoanne · August 2011

OC, California?

I was looking at 50 cakes on brides.com yesterday. The cheapest was $7.50/slice. $12/slice doesn't surprise me tons for the OC, especially at a hotel, where you have in-house mark-up plus wedding mark-up. We looked at a hotel up here for a venue, and orange juice was $35/pitcher.

Louisa1000 · August 2011

Gaaaaa! Even if I had the budget for it, I don't think I could ever spend $35 for a pitcher of OJ on principle! As cake decorating is my full time job, I'd be interested to see what this $12/slice cake looks like. Some of those cakes are so time consuming, they are completely fair. But sometimes venues just want to gouge you because they can.

ElisabethJoanne · August 2011

Yes, Louisa, we crossed that venue off on principle, and I'm trying to nix all other hotels because I can't believe they'll have wildly different pricing structures. (They might price orange juice differently, but they'll gouge us somewhere else, I'm sure.)

chrmun · August 2011

I think it's pretty standard for OC. Especially if you're in Southern OC or near the beach.
We're having a similar experience with bakers in Sonoma and Napa. Most of them seem to start at about $8 per slice and go up from there. Ours ended up at $11 per slice and we were glad to not get soaked for more!

Kimberly0402 · August 2011

Our cake is $3.50 a person plus $100 for design, $20 delivery cost and tax. That includes a 4-tier cake with pipping details, buttercream frosting and a filling.

JCM10 · August 2011

Wow, makes me glad to be in TX! Ours is 2.50 a serving!

medicapril · August 2011

We're doing cupcakes as well- they will run us about $2.75 each. We are just getting a small cake to cut so we can still have the tradition.

~Sara~ · August 2011

Yes, Orange County California...and we are talking a beach-city hotel. (I'm deciding between The Montage in Laguna or Park Aviara in Carlsbad.) Thank you for all of the feedback. I feel comforted by those who have seen similar prices and I'm aware that I'm in one of the most expensive areas of the country. Cake ranks very low on my list of wedding-priorities (I'd rather spend another $12/person on food), so I'll definitely be exploring alternatives.

amyb140 · August 2011

Yup - that's exactly what ours was at the Peninsula in Chicago. And we had to use their cake. On the plus side, it was one of the most delicious cakes I've ever had - lemon with lemon curd and raspberry filling!

Lynne101 · August 2011

Mmmmmm raspberry filling . We had that same flavoring on the wedding last weekend and it was FABULOUS. We did buttercream frosting!!!!

letyourselfgo · August 2011

FI wanted a cake with handmade bloomed chocolate pinecones with Marzipan. We were getting $12 quotes on that. That made him back off.....

I believe that our cake will be in the neighborhood of $7 a serving....if we go for a full sized cake. If not, we're hoping to DIY it.....

SCogs18 · August 2011

The high end bakeries I have looked at online charge between $4.50-$5.50/person. Of course, this cost goes up with extra fancy decorations or fondant.

$12/person for cake?

Re: $12/person for cake?

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