Wedding Cake Options

My wedding is at the end of July, and now that I've moved over I've been placed in charge of ordering the wedding cake. We need one to feed 20 people,  my fiance would like 2 tiers on it. We're going sponge cake rather than traditional English cake with marzipan.

So far the lowest I've been quoted is 200 pounds, and I nearly passed out when one store quoted closer to 300. I know people increase prices for wedding items but 200 pounds to feed 20 people a bite of wedding cake just kills me.

Does anyone have ideas for other places to get a cake rather than bakeries? I've considered ordering without saying it's for a wedding, but would be tacky to order 2 sponge cakes the way we'd like them and place them on a cake tier myself...

I feel your pain! I went through the same thing, even thought about doing one myself (for 85 people!) but was lucky and found a local woman who does them quite reasonably. I'm getting 3 tiers for 85+ people, well decorated, and a groom's cake all for £220

As far as what you can do.... well, if you're anywhere near Exmouth, I'd be happy to give you her number. But if not, M&S do wedding cakes, as do many of the supermarkets. I think you buy them in boxes already iced. No idea how good they are. You could also ask to have a couple cakes done at a bakery and just covered with plain icing and not tell them it's for a wedding. Decorate yourself with some simple fresh flowers. If it's 2 tiers, you can rent cake stands form someone else to keep the baker in the dark!

Hope this helps somewhat??!

I agree with Balmerhon. Once the word "wedding" is mentioned-- the price goes way up. Get the simple cakes from the bakery and decorate with organic flowers.

If the prices still stay up, would you consider other non-traditonal options like a cupcake-wedding cake on tiers or cheesecake?? There are wonderful bakeries in London that would same-day ship awesome cakes that would serve 20 people (you're talking only 1-2 average sized cakes or one huge sheet cake) for 1/2 the price you mentioned.

http://eatdrink.timeout.com/  The Time Out London eatting and Drinking Guide is available in all book stores (WH Smith, etc...) and even if you don't feel like buying it-- hang out at the store and copy some of the bakery listings for London.

Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful wedding! 

As far as what you can do.... well, if you're anywhere near Exmouth, I'd be happy to give you her number. But if not, M&S do wedding cakes, as do many of the supermarkets. I think you buy them in boxes already iced. No idea how good they are. You could also ask to have a couple cakes done at a bakery and just covered with plain icing and not tell them it's for a wedding. Decorate yourself with some simple fresh flowers. If it's 2 tiers, you can rent cake stands form someone else to keep the baker in the dark!

Hope this helps somewhat??!

As of two years ago M&S did a good wedding cake.

We only needed to feed around 30 people and didn't want to spend £200+ for the cake. So we got one tier of traditional English cake and the top tier was a sponge. Both came in their own boxes (they have a variety of sizes and shapes in sponge and fruit cake), and we got from a bakery the bits to assemble the two tiers together. To decorate the very bland white frosted cakes we took fresh roses and gold ribbion which we used for other things in the wedding. It was very simple but very beautiful. 

Goodluck finding something and enjoy your wedding!

Katie

Sweety, that's similar to what I'd like to do but when I explained it to my fiance he did NOT look impressed.  My sister suggested if it's cheap enough that I make a mock up for him so he can see what I have in mind. It may be worth checking around to if I can rent a tier - thanks for tips.

I'm in South Devon by the way, not sure if that's near Exmouth.

I'm in South Devon by the way, not sure if that's near Exmouth.

Exmouth is South Devon!!!! Where are you - Torquay or something like that? Exmouth is about 20 minutes south of Exeter.

PM me, I'll give you the cake lady info and maybe we can get together some time! 

ooo 

pm'd you