What makes a GREAT wedding cake?
#2. Frosting
Frosting can be the difference between a perfect bite that leaves you wanting more, or an overly sweet taste that leaves something less than desired! At Ethalle's Cakes and Bakes, our recipe is formulated with a very light buttercream that is a melt-in-your-mouth experience! Nothing too sweet, just delicious!
Learn more about American Buttercream vs Swiss Meringue Buttercream below!
@visilphotography
"Best of all, it was absolutely delicious! Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful and amazing it tasted. Working with Ethalle made the entire process stress-free, and we are so grateful she was part of our wedding day. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and wonderful baker!"
#3. Fillings
Here's where couples can get really creative! Let's say you know you'd like something light like vanilla, but you also love fruit, strawberries and vanilla-perfect match! But let's say you want something more bold, current, or modern? Like Nutella, Cookie Butter, Pistachio? That's where I come in, I love pairing flavors together that will wow you and your guests. So whatever flavor pairing you're interested in, let's make it amazing!
#4. Design
At Ethalle's Cakes and Bakes, design is crucial. The goal is to always have the wedding cake look as good as it taste. These pictures last a lifetime and your guests will certainly appreciate one of the most gorgeous parts of your reception to be your venue, your florals, you of course, and your wedding cake! It's a statement and something I encourage couples not to disregard, but to really plan and make your own! Ready to design your cake, click Inquire today below!
#1. Cake Flavor and Texture
Texture is a huge deal, and it actually impacts the flavor of the cake. If you want something light and moist, vanilla is a great go-to! If you want something more rich and decadent, chocolate or red velvet are a perfect pairing! There several cake flavor options, check out our Wedding Pricing page to learn more!
@acraftedbrand
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
Engineering 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. You may invest in over $1000 in cake to feed 100 people as design and quantity are accounted for.
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.
@acraftedbrand
@acraftedbrand
"The cake was absolutely gorgeous and perfectly matched our aesthetic."-Rita
@acraftedbrand
Store-Bought Wedding Cake vs Custom Wedding Cake
We all know the drill. It's someone's birthday in our family or a friend and it's time to celebrate with delicious cake! Maybe you're used to going to the grocery store for a quick pick-up and calling in a day ahead to order. That's what we're used to!
Only this time, you don't want something generic. It's your wedding day and you want to order something unique and beautiful with custom flavors. That's where the expertise and talent of custom cake makers come in! At Ethalle's Cakes and Bakes, there's never anything that's "just cake." It's an experience that makes a beautiful, luxurious statement for you and your guests to experience together. Something that lasts forever. And when those flavors and design come together, it's much more memorable than anything from a grocery store.
Ready to start designing your dream cake? Contact us today!
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 for my wedding?
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
Follow ECB
Connect with Us
312-600-5810
Certified Food Protection Manager
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."
