Why Are Wedding Cakes So Expensive in Chicago?
-A Wedding Cake Designer's Perspective
When ordering your wedding cake, you're not only paying for flour, sugar, and butter. A lot of wedding cakes take several days to complete.
You're investing in:
Design time
Baking
Decorating
Structural support
Delivery
Setup
One of the most common questions I hear from couples is:
"Why do wedding cakes cost so much?"
As a wedding cake designer, I completely understand the question. Here's what goes into a custom wedding cake beyond the cake itself.
Guest Count Matters
It's More Than Cake and Frosting
Wedding cakes are often priced by size.
A cake for 50 guests takes less time and materials vs. a cake for 150 guests.
The larger the guest count, the larger the investment, so you make sure all your guests enjoy cake if you're going for that experience!
My Advice to Couples
When choosing a wedding cake, look beyond the price.
Look for someone who understands your vision and helps make the process feel exciting and stress-free.
Years from now, you may not remember every detail of your wedding budget, but you'll remember the moments you shared celebrating with the people you love.
Your wedding cake should feel like more than dessert, it should feel like a beautiful part of your special day.
Design Affects Pricing
Simple buttercream finishes take less time than:
Textured designs
Fresh florals
Metallic details
Multiple tiers
Intricate piping
The more detailed the design, the more labor involved.
How much cake will each size feed?
We created a guide to help couples understand what goes into the cake calculation of the kinds of cake you may need. Display cakes are cakes that get displayed for you to cut and your guests to see. These can also be used to serve some or many of your guests,
Kitchen cakes (not pictured) are sheet cakes that get minimal design and are intended for guests without having to use the display cake to serve each guest. These display cakes serves about 40 and are small square slices.
Example Breakdown for 120 guests
12 in (56 servings)
10 in ( 38 servings)
7 inch (15 servings)
6 inch (12 servings)
Total servings: 121 servings
Base Pricing Estimate Range $850+
For starting prices, check out our Wedding Prices Page.
To get started planning your desserts inquire below!
How much Cake Do I Need?
We know that figuring out how much cake to order can feel like a math exam you didn't study for. My goal is to make sure you have enough for every guest to have a "wow" moment!
Here is how we help clients navigate the world of cake sizing.
Wedding Cake slices are usually a bit smaller than the wedge you receive at a smaller gathering and measure about 2 x 1 x 4 (see first picture vs second picture)
Depending on the amount of people attending, it's good to consider how many people you would like a slice of cake for? If you're not sure, you can also consider, "Is there anyone attending that I don't need to provide cake for?" If the answer is yes, maybe because, "I have a dessert table" then designing a cake for you and your guests to see is a good approach!
If the answer is no, then it's best to ensure everyone will have at least one slice of cake.
ethallebakes@gmail.com
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Important information for Cottage Food Operation
"These products were produced in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department."
