Let Them Eat Cake!

There's a line from the movie Father of the Bride where Steve Martin is told that the wedding cake his daughter has picked out costs $1500. Steve's character responses is "A cake Franck, is flour and water. How could a wedding cake cost $1500?"

The answer Mr. Martin is, very easily! It's all about the labor and the time it takes to create a cake masterpiece. Many of the cakes you'll look at are likely to be priced not just for their ingredients, but for the amount of time it takes to create them. This should be an important factor when choosing the cake that fits your budget and not just your dreams.

So I've taken the time to put together my best tips for doing just that. Read on for some ideas that aren't just helpful and money saving but creative too.....

* Choose a cake decor style that's less labor intensive. Sure you could go high style and have the bakery recreate in icing a replica of the lace on your wedding gown, but you're far better off choosing a less elaborate style. One option is adding icing pearls to give your cake that bridal look. It doesn't take long and it looks gorgeous!

* Steal a hot celebrity trend for your own wedding, have elegantly frosted cupcakes arranged in the shape of a wedding cake and let guests just help themselves. Total savings: Up to 75% off the cost of a traditional cake.

* Look at simpler styles, such as layers that are placed directly on top of one another, rather than balanced on pedestals. When you add details like these the price tends to go up.

* Choose frosting for the cake rather than a rolled fondant covering (the type that looks like your cake has been dipped in plastic for a smooth finish.) This style is more labor - intensive, and some people aren't wild about the way the fondant tastes. Go with a traditional sugar or butter cream. They're classical favorites and less expensive.

* Pass on the sugar - paste flowers or marzipan doves,fruits and other expertly sculpted decor. Even though they're lovely, these extras aren't necessary and it's A LOT of labor time to pay for.

- Instead ask your baker to monogram your cake using colored icing to match your wedding colors. Imagine your initials on the front layers of your cake, it's a great way to personalize and it's low on the labor scale.

* Forget about having different flavors in each layer of your cake. Bakers hate it when brides and grooms request this, since it's a lot more work for them and that makes the price go up. Just choose one flavor and filling for the entire cake.

* Choose a smaller cake. Go for a lovely three - tier chocolate cake with a length of colored ribbon wrapped around the base of each layer. You can also add chocolate curls or fresh flowers for added visuals. It's budget perfection.

* One crafty couple made a faux wedding cake out of styrofoam and decorated it to look like a real cake. Guests at the reception were served slices from a sheet cake purchased from a local bakery. This option is a fun project and extremely budget friendly but isn't for everyone.

* For a simple, elegant and classic look, have the baker frost your cake very simply and then have fresh flowers arranged to cascade over the top and down the sides. This is a popular style and is the least expensive and most impressive.

* Purchase a plain, unadorned wedding cake and decorate it yourself! You can purchase incredibly inexpensive but still ornate cake accents in the wedding section of the craft store. Or you can order a cake decor kit from renowned cake specialist Gail Watson at www.gailwatson.com where you can order sugar paste flowers and other expertly made accents.

Topping It Off!!!

Here are a few creative ways to top off your confectionery masterpiece once you've chosen it.

* Use a family heirloom, such as the cake topper from your parent's or grandparents wedding cake.

* Top your cake with a sparkly faux - stone tiara, which can be purchased at any craft store for under $20. You can even attach an in expensive length of veiling to drape behind the cake for the full effect.

* Go with something non floral: starfish or seashells are good choices are a good choices for a beach or summertime wedding.

* Use little figurines that represent your normal life like: a guy fishing or bowling and a girl sunbathing or on the phone. This is a funny way to personalize your cake.

It is possible to have the wedding cake of your dreams without paying two months rent for it. Creativity and the willingness to compromise is the key to having your cake and eating it too.