Saving on the Wedding Cake

♥ Fresh finds
Top your cake with fresh fruit or flowers. Sugar-icing and marzipan decorations are labor-intensive and costly. Think lightweight fruits that won't sink into the cake, such as cherries, strawberries or small bunches of sugared grapes.

♥ Simple designs
An easy-to-make Swiss dot pattern, for example, is less expensive than labor-intensive basket weaves or lace patterns. Cut costs even more by asking for a perfectly smooth surface with strips of wide ribbon tied around each tier.

♥ Just for show
Have a small, beautiful wedding cake on display for the ceremonial cutting with extra sheet cakes waiting in the kitchen to serve your guests.

♥ Delicious desserts
Do away with the traditional wedding cake in favor of cupcakes, pies, cheesecakes or pastries stacked on trays in tiers.

♥ Fake it
If you want a tall, dramatic cake but don't have the cash to pay for it, ask your confectioner to make the bottom tiers out of real cake and the rest out of iced Styrofoam.

♥ Nix the groom's cake
Though a fun tradition, groom's cakes can be pricey—especially if you're going for an elaborate theme.

♥ Stick to one flavor
Variety is nice, but you'll save money if your baker only has to create one type of cake and filling.

♥ Sizing it up
The savings are in the shape. A square cake will serve 10 to 30 percent more people than a round cake of the same dimensions.

♥ Go with a pro
Novices, even a well-meaning friend, could end up costing you more in failed attempts.

♥ Treasured toppers
An heirloom antique topper adds a personal touch—and a free way to decorate your cake.

Source: TeamSugar