Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake

One of the many areas of Wedding sticker shock comes in the form of the wedding cake. Here are some great ideas for a more affordable - but still gorgeous - wedding cake.

1. Get a smaller cake. Wedding cakes are priced by the piece, so fewer pieces makes a cheaper cake. Most people cannot gauge size and proportion, so you can easily shave off the price of the decorative cake without it looking too small. Show off the beautiful wedding cake for everyone to see, and then have a sheet cake of the same flavor cut in the back to supplement for the extra pieces. Many bakeries and even wholesale clubs offer inexpensive sheet cakes in a variety of frostings.

2. It is a very popular option now to have cupcakes instead of a wedding cake. Instead of one large cake ask your baker to make every guest a cupcake of your favorite flavor instead. Top each with something pretty, and build a 'wedding cake' tower of your fabulous cupcakes. Individual cakes might even be something you might be able to do yourself.

3. Another great way to offer dessert while having a smaller cake: set up a dessert bar with mini pastries and coffee to offset a piece of wedding cake.

4. Instead of a tiered cake, have several single layer cakes on a decorated cake table

5. A sheet cake tastes just as good; decide if you really want the expensive tiered cake or if you are fine with a non-fancy cake.

6. Buy a plain wedding cake and embellish it yourself. Wal-Mart bakeries have simple 2 and 3-tiered wedding cakes starting about $65. Order a plain cake and add some embellishments, such as strewing it with rose petals to save money.

7. If you are embellishing a plain cake yourself, make sure to use edible flowers. Even if people do not eat them, the oils and pollens from the flowers will get on the cake itself.

8. You can keep flowers on a cake looking fresh by discreetly tucking the stems into a green plastic water holder. Remember to remove before serving the cake.

9. Most bakery supply stores sell edible pearl dragees that can ornament a cake similar to how a professional would do so.

10. Some edible sugar work is available for sale to emulate the look of having expensive sugar flowers or fondant designs on your cake.