How Much Does a Good Wedding Cake Cost?

Wedding cake prices vary drastically. It depends on the size, the style, the intricacy of the details, the ingredients, and what vendor you’re utilizing, of course.

According to Wedding Wire, the average cost of a wedding cake in the U.S. is $500 with most couples spending between $300 and $650.

There are ways to save on the price though. Instead of a large, 3 (or more)-tiered beauty, you can opt for cupcakes or a one-layer bake surrounded by smaller, sweet morsels for the guests to enjoy. Depending on your theme, this could really amp up the personalization of the event.

Also, going with something on the more simplistic side could be a less-expensive (but just as delicious) option, even the new “naked” cake trend won’t cost as much as a hand-painted, a watercolor stunner.

What Factors Decide The Price?

As mentioned above, there are several factors that go into deciding the cost of a wedding cake including:

Size: Obviously, the bigger you order, the more expensive that bottom line cost will be.
Ingredients/Flavors: The more flavors you want, the more you’ll add to the cost, of course- this goes for customizing flavors as well. But, the ingredients that are you can make the price soar as well. The fresher and the better the pastry chef utilizes, the more money you’ll be shelling out for your celebratory bites.
Number of tiers: Just like with the size, the more tiers that are added, the more money to be added to the bill.
Delivery location: This is another deciding factor in the cost of your cake. Depending on how far the venue location is from the vendor will determine the bottom line as well.
Decor options: Intricate designs can cost a pretty penny – and so can the supplies. For example, gold leafing can really add to the receipt. Sugar flowers, fondant, and unique shapes are taken into consideration too.

Popular Wedding Cake Style & Price Points

Other Expert Opinions

The Knot

“You probably knew this already, but wedding cakes aren’t like the regular ones you can pick up from the grocery store. Rather, each confection is individually made and personalized by some of the best cake bakers out there based on your wants and needs—and of course, the more intricate and elaborate yours is, the more you’ll pay.

According to our 2017 Real Weddings Study, that might be around $540, which was the average amount spent by over 12,000 US respondents.

Most couples (67 percent) hired professional cake bakers—either a bakery (42 percent) or a custom cake designer (26 percent)—either of which we recommend due to the fact that pros will also know how to transport the fragile confections best. (You don’t want an imploded three-tier disaster showing up at your reception.)

Still, there were respondents who either used a friend or family member (15 percent) or didn’t hire a cake baker at all (17 percent). According to our study, 9 percent of venue fees will include cake—which would account for the reason some couples didn’t use a separate vendor.” – The Knot

HuffPost

“Swirls of buttercream, cascades of iced ribbons and blossoms — wedding cakes are the stuff of dreams, and it’s the rare guest who doesn’t look forward to the prospect of that magical last course. But there’s no sugar-coating it, the cost of confection perfection can soar. Especially these days, with desserts (and dessert tables) such a major trend.

The national average cost of wedding cakes and desserts will be $451 in 2013, jumping to $466 in 2014, up from 2012’s $437.

In areas like New York City and Napa, Calif. cakes can run as high as $1,200-plus.” – HuffPost

Dunk Bakes

“For wedding cakes, we start with a base price of $3/slice plus a delivery fee based on venue location. Design charges are added for more intricate designs or costly accents such as the gold leafing. As for trends we are seeing, more simple or textured frostings adorned with fresh flowers are really popular right now.” – Duncan Gross of DunkBakes