The Average Wedding Cake Cost, According to Real Couples

Some of the biggest wedding traditions include cake, from cake smashes to freezing the top tier for your first anniversary. And while some traditions fall by the wayside, dessert remains a priority for many couples. So, how much is a wedding cake? How much does a wedding cake cost for 50 guests? (100 guests? 150 guests?) How much do you need to budget?

The average wedding cake cost has increased in line with the average cost of a wedding overall. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 17,000 couples married in 2024, 77% of newlyweds hired a wedding cake baker or other dessert specialist. And we happen to know exactly how much they spent.

Below, get the scoop about this year's wedding cake prices and how your budget for an affordable wedding cake will be impacted depending on guest count, cake size, design and more. Need to start your search for a wedding cake baker? Check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to read reviews and find local vendors.

In this article: Average Cost | Cost Factors | Quotes | Yearly Change

Average Wedding Cake Cost

So, how much does the average wedding cake cost? Well, in 2024, the average cost was $540. Keep in mind that this typical wedding cake price is a national average and the final price of your wedding cake depends on many factors, including the number of tiers needed, the ingredients used, the decorations and even your location.

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Since the actual wedding cake price quotes you'll receive will vary based on several factors, your wedding cake baker should be your source of truth when it comes to the bottom line. But in general, remember that how much wedding cakes are is closely tied to the size and style of your wedding. Pro Tip: You can explore wedding cake pricing by location with our free wedding budget tool.

Wedding Cake Cost Factors

While the average is good to know, you're probably wondering, "How much will a wedding cake cost specifically for me?" Before you finalize what percentage of your wedding budget will go toward cake, it's important to understand all the factors that affect cost.

Design: Tiana Crispino

Number of Wedding Cake Slices

Whether you prefer vanilla sponge, red velvet, raspberry filling or a combination of flavors, wedding cake is generally priced by the slice and most bakeries have a minimum price for custom orders and/or deliveries. Furthermore, the average price of a wedding cake can vary a lot per slice. There are a multitude of factors at play, so there's no one-size-fits-all number.

The bigger the cake, the more materials and ingredients that are needed to make it, which is reflected in the total cost. The biggest factor that affects the cost of a wedding cake? The number of guests you'll need to serve. For example, the average wedding cake cost for 200 guests will be much higher than the average cost of a wedding cake for 100 guests.

A typical 8-inch round cake (imagine a birthday cake you'd find at the grocery store) serves about 15 people. In 2024, the average number of wedding guests was 116, which means you'll need a multi-tiered wedding cake if your guest count is similar, assuming that each guest has one slice of cake. The more guests you're inviting = the more you'll spend on cake. Check out our breakdown of the average cost of a wedding cake by number of guests below:

• 101+ guests: $631

• 51-100 guests: $487

• 1-50 guests: $315

Labor to Make the Wedding Cake

And when you're wondering how much should a wedding cake cost, remember this: You're not only paying for a product, but also a service—you're paying for the cake designer's talents, time and labor, as well as cake storage and a delivery fee. The talented wedding pros you hire deserve to be compensated fairly for their hard work.

Wedding Cake Decoration

Wedding cakes aren't your everyday desserts (seriously, just check out these amazing wedding cake ideas and you'll see what we mean). They're elaborately decorated and constructed in ways that require special kitchen equipment and skills, so it's no surprise that their base cost is generally higher than the average party cake.

Along with the size of the cake, many wedding cake decorating techniques will also increase the overall price. In general, buttercream frosting costs slightly less, while fondant will yield a higher price tag. Details like handmade sugar flowers, intricate piping, edible gold leaf and other embellishments will also add to the total cost.

Specialty Flavors

Have a unique palate in mind for your cake? Certain wedding cake flavors and fillings impact the cost too, especially if your baker is making something more time-intensive, such as a homemade fruit compote or a liquor-infused sponge.

Simple Sheet Cakes

If you're looking for a cost-cutting option, wedding sheet cakes are a growing (and affordable!) trend. You could also ask your baker about downsizing to a small wedding cake and consider supplementing with other desserts like cookies or cupcakes instead. Dessert tables are a popular addition nowadays, with half of couples opting for one in 2024. If you have a guest list of 300, order a cake for 150 people and serve it in half-slices—some guests will likely leave slices half-eaten on the table anyway.

In 2024, 71% of couples incorporated the cake cutting tradition into their weddings. If the main reason you want to serve cake at the reception is for the cake cutting photo op, another alternative is to order a single-tier cutting cake that's decorated specifically for that moment. Your baker can provide undecorated cakes to keep in the back until it's time to serve dessert—they'll taste just as yummy but will help you cut down on total cost, especially if you're hosting several hundred guests.

Cake Accessories

Finally, don't forget to consider decorative accents when totaling how much wedding cakes usually cost. Items like cake cutting sets, cake toppers and wedding cake stands are small but important details when it comes to displaying and serving the cake. If you don't want to buy your own, ask your venue, cake baker or catering company about their rental options.

Wedding Cake Price Quotes

Once you have an idea of what you want for your cake, it's time to start researching potential bakeries and gathering quotes for your wedding cake. The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great place to start your search. Not only can you search by location, but you can also filter based on dietary needs and general price range to find the best fit. Once you've found a few and started reaching out for quotes, consult this list of questions for bakers to ensure you've covered your bases before you sign on the dotted line.

How Have Wedding Cake Costs Changed Over the Years?

So, why are wedding cakes so expensive? Wedding cake rates have remained steady the past couple of years, but was up almost 6% from the average cost in 2022, which was $510. It's safe to say that this wedding cake pricing could be tied to inflation, which the wedding industry hasn't been immune to. Average wedding cake prices have fluctuated over the years, and are currently similar to prices in 2017 and 2018, when the normal wedding cake price was $550.

Additional reporting by Hannah Nowack and Shyla Watson

The Knot Real Weddings Study captured responses from 16,956 US couples married between January 1 and December 31, 2024; respondents were recruited via email invitation from The Knot and/or WeddingWire membership. Respondents represent couples from all over the country with various ethnicities, income levels, race, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. To provide the most comprehensive view of 2024 trends, this report also includes wedding statistics from ad hoc studies conducted throughout the year. In a typical year, The Knot Worldwide conducts research with more than 300,000 couples, guests and wedding professionals globally.