Wedding question?

Question

My groom and I are wanting to go on a really great honeymoon so we're having to cut a few dollars here and there in our wedding but still have it be beautiful. I was wanting to make my own wedding cake but is there a way to do it yourself and still get it to look good?

Answer 1

Well, I hope you have some experience. I think it is a lot harder than it looks. One of my friends purchased a smaller cake from a bakery to do 'the cutting' and then they got a big sheet cake from the supermarket bakery to cut and give to the guests. It was probably like $100- for both. Saves a lot of time and aggravation too.

Answer 2

Well - do you know how to make a wedding cake? Do you have the supplies, do you know what supplies you need and how much it is going to cost you? Are you going to have the time to make it as the wedding day approaches? I know that bad wedding cakes end up leaving a sour taste with your guests. Ask your caterer if he/she has any recommendations. I cannot say about grocerry store cakes, but their regular birthday cakes always come out good for me, so perhaps that might be an option that will not be as costly as an upscale bakery. Another option is to see if there is anyone in your family who is good cake baker do it. Good luck.

Answer 3

I have heard of, but haven't looked into, places that actually make a cake out of Styrofoam and frost it to look like the real cake. Then you can just have the sheet cake in the kitchen. From what I understand, the Styrofoam can have a small section of actual cake for the cake cutting if you want, and the top can be real to save for your 1yr anniversary. I believe this is even cheaper than making your own cake, and it really does look professional. Call your local bakeries, see if they do anything like this.

Answer 4

You don't want to be stressed out before your wedding making your cake! I would atleast get some well-trusted friends or family to help take on this job.

I have seen where people have done cupcakes and they looked very fancy and were personal. They were placed on 3 layered stands or cake stands on different levels. They could be iced as simple or difficult as you want. My aunt makes the best cakes, hired out for weddings and birthdays , and she swears by Duncan Hines. I have to agree they are more moist than any other. You can also freeze cakes (un-iced) for a certain period of time (for sure a week) and they are just as moist and delicious as the day you made them. Just let them unthaw the morning you frost them.

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Ask around for people who do wedding cakes as a side job. I got married last August and had my cake done for only $2 a slice. This was very cheap compared to the $5-7 a slice for bakeries. The woman had a full time job, but did cakes on the side to help her sons through college.She was able to make many flavors and add silk flowers. It was definately worth it! So ask around, maybe post something local. Hope it helps.

Answer 6

If you can get over the stigma, places like Walmart & large chain grocery stores make wedding cakes. And they're good, too!
Get a small one & then buy sheet cakes to serve. Your guests will never know the difference and you'll save tons.

If you're bent on doing this vast task yourself......
http://www.wilton.com/recipes/browse.cfm?theme_id=14

I'm sure with a little brainstorming there are other ways you can cut costs as well.

Answer 7

The best way i have come up with is do sheet cakes and make a styrofoam cake to keep. If this doesnt work for you, go to you local super market bakery and have them make you a wedding cake with white frosting, no decorations. YOu can add fresh flowers or wallet sized pictures or anything that matches your theme.

Answer 8

My friend saved money on her cake by buying a nice one, two or three tiered, but baked similar sheet cakes and cut them up in the back, all the cake was cut in the back with the same icing. I think it is a wonderful way to cut costs and actually, who eats the cake? I never do, I am always out dancing!

Answer 9

The easy part is the baking, it is the decorating that is hard.

If you insist on a cake go to:
http://www.wilton.com/wedding/makecake/baking.cfm

It will tell you step-by-step. I would recommend covering it with fondant as that gives it the smoothest, more "professional" look.

also look at : http://www.eweddingcake.com/make-wedding-cake/make-a-wedding-cake.html
The easiest thing is to use a cake stand, but you could stack it.

To decorate, just take a pretty ribbon to encircle the bottom of each layer to provide a transition from the cake to the plate/stand that the layer is on. Like: http://www.eweddingcake.com/pictures-of-fondant-wedding-cake/fondant-wedding-cake-pictures-06.jpg

Or you could use edible decorations (edible pearls, edible silver balls, edible glitter). Just google "edible decorations" and you'll get hits for lots of suppliers. You won't have to be able to "pipe" any decorations to make it beautiful. (http://www.eweddingcake.com/pictures-of-simple-wedding-cake/simple-wedding-cake-pictures-01.jpg)

Or... You could try something creative.

Nordicwear makes beautifully shaped pans for individual sized cakes.

http://www.nordicware.com/b2c/product_details.cfm?prodid=313&prod_master_cat=4&prod_cat=18

http://www.nordicware.com/b2c/product_details.cfm?prodid=315&prod_master_cat=4&prod_cat=18

http://www.nordicware.com/b2c/product_details.cfm?prodid=267&prod_master_cat=4&prod_cat=18

You could easily bake these beautiful individual cakes to serve your guests and have a very small "cake" from a bakery decorated to "match" the small cakes in order to have a cake to cut .

Good Luck - I'd love to know how it turns out!

Answer 10

It is harder then it looks - but VERY do-able:) I did a cake for my sister's wedding. Check out our Wedding Cake section for some 411 on my cake and other ideas as well:)
http://budgetdreamweddings.com/weddingplanning/?cat=17