My little brother just got married in the US, and his new wife, Melissa made their cakes! I thought she was completely insane to make cake for 200 people, but she did it without a hitch and the whole thing cist her about $30! She bought cake stands from Wal-Mart, used Betty Crocker mix, used normal homemade sugar icing, and decorated the thing with natural flowers, she bought 2 bunches of roses from the gas station, cut the buds off, and plopped them in! She made the cakes ahead of time and froze them. Then took them out a day or so before they were to be frosted. The whole thing was surprisingly stress free for her, and she really enjoyed doing it - and showing off about making her own cakes! Saved them a couple of hundred bucks as well, and it totally looked professional.
Just thought I'd share - in case anyone here is getting the wild cake-making hair up their butt.