Faux cakes: NOT a cheaper option

A great article from a baker that explains why fake cakes are not always a better or cheaper option.

I had a bride a few years ago who hated the thought of cutting into her cake and removing it from the reception. It was a focal point. She loved it. It was beautiful. She wanted it to stay. I suggested a faux cake (complete with a real slice of cake slipped in for the cake ceremony!) but warned of the increased cost. She didn't care if the cost was a little more to have a faux cake made for this purpose and to serve sheet cakes from behind the scenes. Her focus was not the price. This is the only instance in my career that I have ever encouraged a bride to have a faux cake. Her desire was to leave her cake as a beautiful focal point of the room all night long. So I made it happen.

However, for those brides who only want to save money... read on.

Fake Cakes - No, They Are Not Always Cheaper

Let me explain what the majority of TV shows, wedding websites and wedding magazines usually fail to tell you … Styrofoam cakes aren’t free. I have to pay for them. And many times, the cost of the dummy is more than the cost of cake ingredients. Plus……

-  It takes the same amount of icing to decorate a fake cake as it does a real cake. -  It takes the same amount of time to decorate a fake cake as it does a real cake. -  It takes the same level of talent to decorate a fake cake as it does a real cake. Just because it’s a fake cake, doesn’t mean I can have my $7/hour dishwasher do it instead of the $16/hour decorator. -  It takes the same amount of gas in the van to deliver a fake cake as it does a real cake. -  It takes the same amount of time (read “Payroll”) for our driver to drive to your venue and deliver a fake cake as it does a real cake.

So how much should you expect to pay for a fake decorated cake?

Many decorators charge the same price based on the number of servings a cake of that size would serve, since the costs are virtually the same. Some decorators will give a small discount, like 10 or 20 percent.

Let’s run the numbers: A 14” round (usually a bottom tier) serves 78 x $6.00/serving = $468. If the decorator gives a 10% discount, your cost is $422. For one fake tier. Sheet cakes to serve 150 times $3.00/serving = $450 Total cost for fake + real sheets? = $1,260.

The typical reaction is that this is a bit excessive because “…..it’s not a REAL cake!” You’re not paying for the cake ….. you’re paying for the time and talent and ingredients required to elevate your cake from a homemade tiered cake to a grander and taller 4 tier cake.

A bride is going to spend MORE for fake + sheet cakes than she would if she had just gotten a grand centerpiece cake that is ALL cake.

_______________________________________________________

Thanks for such great advice - I heartily agree and so will any other professional baker with your best interest in mind!

Happy planning!

Visit us at A Music City Event or call 615.727.3903

Never miss another update!

Subscribe to MCE Blog to have new tips, advice and Real Nashville Weddings sent directly to you.

And no, we never ever ever share your e-mail with anyone. Period.