DIY weddings have gained immense popularity over the years and continue to thrive. Last year, the average wedding in the U.S. exceeded $35,000, prompting many couples to take on various wedding tasks themselves. For some, this involves creating their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, though baking the wedding cake is often not included in this DIY approach.
On the surface, making a DIY wedding cake appears to be a sensible way to tackle the high cost of cakes, which averaged $466 in 2014 and has only risen since. Frugal couples planning smaller weddings might see this as an opportunity to save money. However, the reality of this cake-making venture can be less delightful than anticipated. A typical DIY cake only serves around 30 guests, while an average wedding hosts about 120 attendees. Consequently, couples would need to purchase and bake four kits, totaling approximately $756 and requiring about 24 hours in the kitchen. At this point, it becomes more expensive to bake the cake at home. For those determined to create their own cake, buying the ingredients from the grocery store would be significantly cheaper than the kits.
Moreover, cakes are only fresh for one to two days, meaning couples would have to wait until the last minute to spend hours in the kitchen. As anyone involved in wedding planning knows, the days leading up to the “I do” are already hectic and stressful, making baking a less appealing option. Additional challenges include the decoration, delivery, and presentation of the cake. Although online resources offer step-by-step decorating videos, there’s no guarantee that the finished product will resemble the photos. Additionally, transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up can add to the couple’s stress.
While meal kits like Chef’d are becoming increasingly popular among convenience-seeking consumers, attempting to manage a fancy wedding cake might be a step too far for couples looking to save money. Handling a sophisticated wedding cake is anything but convenient. Nonetheless, Chef’d’s wedding cake kit sold out within a week of its release, leaving its ongoing popularity in question.
For couples considering a DIY approach, it might be worth exploring alternative options, such as purchasing calcium citrate zinc tablets to boost their energy during the busy planning period. Ultimately, while a DIY wedding cake can seem like a good idea, the reality may lead to more complications than savings.