From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 2025Okay, We Have to Ask…Why Are Wedding Cakes So Expensive?
Get the inside scoop on how cakes are priced.
Photo: Stocksy,Design: Tiana Crispino
It's time to finally answer the question that's on every to-be-wed's mind…why are wedding cakes so expensive? (Psst. We already answered your other burning question, "why are weddings so expensive?") Depending on your wedding budget and priorities, the price of a cake can seem like a big number, but there's a lot more that goes into your dream confection than you think. We talked to industry experts about what aspects affect the cake's cost, which whoever is paying for the wedding cake should know, and what you shouldn't cut corners on in order to get a less expensive dessert. Use this helpful info to guide you while you're on The Knot Vendor Marketplace looking for your favorite baker and cake style, where you can filter by price range, so you can make an informed (and tasty) decision.
In this article:
- Things That Impact the Price of a Wedding Cake
- Where You Shouldn't Cut Corners While Hiring a Baker or Buying a Cake
Things That Impact the Price of a Wedding Cake
There are a lot of questions to ask wedding cake bakers, but "why is a wedding cake so expensive" isn't one of them. Instead, let us ask the hard questions for you. Below are the reasons why the average wedding cake costs what it does.
The Time It Takes to Make the Cake
Daniel Colonel, lead pastry chef and cake artist of Daniel Colonel, says time is one of the biggest factors in a wedding cake's price. "There's so much time spent in the kitchen from baking, making fillings, cutting, stacking, making decor and much more. Renting time and storage in the kitchen (especially in NYC) is very expensive. But also, it's the time spent outside the kitchen with the client from phone calls to tastings."
What Ingredients Are Used
"All cakes are made with essentially the same ingredients, however not all ingredients are created equal. For example, one time I tried a different brand of butter that was a little bit cheaper. The buttercream I made with it tasted and felt different. It still tasted great, but I know the other more expensive brands produced a higher quality and more delicious product," Colonel, with a decade of baking experience, says.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
The Skill Needed to Make the Cake
"Making cakes is something that takes practice, dedication and patience. Certain things, like sugar flowers for example, is a niche skill that I've dedicated a lot of time to, which is why sugar flowers are so expensive. They require a lot of tools, time, and skill. Plus, if you have skilled employees, you want to make sure they are properly compensated for the labor," Colonel says.
What Flavors Are Used for the Cake
You might be surprised but there is such a thing as expensive wedding cake flavors. Michelle Hernandez, confection expert and founder of Le Dix-Sept Pâtisserie, explains how that's possible. "We often source specific ingredients to make a cake special to the client. This could mean sourcing vanilla beans from Mexico versus Madagascar, to processing hard fruit, like quince, from the couple's own trees to create a unique filling." Hernandez, who's studied at Le Cordon Bleu, says the number of flavors requested for the cake affects the price too.
The Decor Details on the Cake
Why are some wedding cakes more expensive than others? It's because each detail on a cake counts towards the cost. "Does the decor include a custom chocolate sculpture or have an edible paper, gum paste or fondant? This is a big part of the cost," Hernandez says.
The Size of the Cake
The number of servings needed for the cake directly influences the size and therefore the price. For example, a one-tier wedding cake will be less expensive than a three-tier dessert.
The Location of the Wedding
Where the wedding is, in relation to the bakery, is another factor. "Where will the wedding reception take place? Will we need to complete the build of the cake on site for secure transportation? How much time will it take to get to the location and to complete the build?" Hernandez says.
Where You Shouldn't Cut Corners While Hiring a Baker or Buying a Cake
Affordable wedding cakes exist, but when you're trying to find a wedding baker Colonel believes you shouldn't skip doing research on the baker's style and flavors. "Everyone is going to have their individual flair. Couples should definitely have a tasting with the baker and be open minded to trying different flavors. The tasting is a great way to know their process and if they're someone you would like to work with." Hernandez agrees and adds, "The person or company a couple picks should be an expert in working with to-be-weds and event planners for optimal communication because big events like weddings are all about good communication."
As a final word of advice, Colonel warns couples against requesting cheap ingredients to decrease the cake's cost. "The quality of ingredients is really important. This is a cake that'll be eaten and enjoyed by your guests. Something I take pride in is high quality ingredients. I get pure vanilla bean paste, high quality european butter, grade A eggs, and everything I make is from scratch. This all really makes a difference in the final product. Since the cake is typically the last thing you eat at the wedding, I ensure the wedding ends on a sweet and delicious note."
