this is the code for the render ad
Wedding Cakes & Food Forum

Dummy Tiers

I went to my baker yesterday to taste their cakes and receive a price quote. I'm about 99% positive I'll order my cake from them (as they're the only choice in my area) but was shocked when I was quoted $300 more than I estimated. I've thought about the idea of getting "dummy layers" or styrofoam decorated tiers and then getting a sheet cake (which is a lot of cheaper) that can be cut up in the back in the same flavors.  My bakery can do this and says they have before.

My question is have any of you done this before or been to wedding where this is done? My reception is not at a big reception hall or a catered event. So I'd like to know how this could be done without everyone knowing I had a dummy layer and sheet cake.

Re: Dummy Tiers

  • MelissaC315MelissaC315 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've seen this done and I couldn't tell the difference. The only other thing you could consider is having a smaller wedding cake/less tiers to cut into and then serve that along with a sheet cake in the back. you don't necessarily have to have a large tiered cake with fake tiers; the cake can just be smaller as well.
  • tldhtldh member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's not going to lower the price as much as you think.  The cost comes from the time the baker spends decorating the tiers.  It doesn't matter if they are cake or styrofoam.  Cake itself isn't that expensive.
    image
    AKA GoodLuckBear14
  • edited December 2011
    My bridal cake is to serve 185 plus I'm getting a groom's cake (complimentary and half of the bride cake). I can get a dummy tier for $65 and serve a hundred people on sheet cake for $100 compared to $4.50/serving.
     
    I'm only getting a three tier cake, with the top tier being the one we're saving (and not charged for). So I'll try to get the largest tier to be the dummy one so that it will help cut the price more.
  • Sue-n-KevinSue-n-Kevin member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011

    Do you have to get your sheetcake from the baker? If not, Costco has AMAZING sheet cakes, decorated beautifully with white frosting/flowers, and a mousse internal layer for $17, and that feeds 48. That's 35 cents per person.


    Also, your wedding cake doesn't have to look as though it will feed 185. We had a lovely two layer cake that was more than enough to feed 100 for $189. You can make it a "token cake" that has just 2 layers, no fake layer, and then enough sheetcake to make up the difference.


    Good luck.

  • edited December 2011
    Hey girly. My fiance and I catered a wedding saturday and I made the sheet cakes we cut from and the couple cut from a simple and cute two tier they got from publix. Everyone loved it. And I didn't charge them extra for it. It turned out great, everyone loved it. If you lived in GA I would offer to make them for you, but yea, that's a great idea, just make sure that who ever cuts the slices doesn't fee you like $1 per slice, that would be stupid. I hope this helps, a lot of people are doing this so don't be worried about looking cheap, plus it is easier to serve people this way. One MAIN THING was that about half the guests left before it was cake time so make sure you only order as many cakes as you need. I made two and we only needed one. Just a few tips, hope everything works out well! 
  • edited December 2011
    The easiest way to fool people is to have the sheet cake and tier cake decorated similarly.  Costco's sheet cake is very good and probably cheaper but since it won't come from the same place as your tier cake, go with a simple white design with no writing or anything on the top. If your tier cake is also a simple white frosted it will be a lot cheaper than something complicated and you can add ribbon or flowers to make it pretty!
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards