DIY weddings have been a popular trend for several years and show no signs of waning. Last year, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. exceeded $35,000, prompting many brides and grooms to tackle some wedding preparations themselves. For some couples, this might involve creating their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, though it generally does not extend to baking the wedding cake.
On the surface, opting for a DIY wedding cake appears to be a clever solution to the expensive cake dilemma that many couples encounter. The cost of a wedding cake varies by state but averaged around $466 in 2014, and prices have only increased since then. Thus, budget-conscious couples with small weddings might view this as a way to cut costs.
However, this cake-making strategy may not be as sweet as it seems. Firstly, a DIY cake typically serves only 30 guests, while the average wedding has about 120 attendees. Therefore, couples would need to purchase and bake four kits to accommodate everyone, which would total $756 and require around 24 hours in the kitchen—making it more expensive than buying a cake from a bakery. If couples genuinely wish to bake their own cake, they could purchase the ingredients at the grocery store for a fraction of the cost of the kits.
Furthermore, cakes are only fresh for one to two days, meaning the couple would have to wait until the last minute to spend those hours in the kitchen. As anyone who has planned a wedding can attest, the days leading up to “I do” are already busy and stressful enough without the added task of baking.
Additionally, there are challenges related to decoration, delivery, and presentation that could add further stress. While there may be helpful online decorating videos, there’s no guarantee that the cake will resemble the one seen in the tutorials. Moreover, arranging for the cake to be transported to the venue and set up can be another headache.
Although meal kits like Chef’d are growing in popularity among consumers looking for convenience, attempting to manage a fancy wedding cake may be too much for couples trying to save money. The intricacies of handling a wedding cake are anything but convenient. Interestingly, Chef’d’s wedding cake kit sold out in less than a week after its launch, leaving its future popularity uncertain.
In conclusion, while the DIY approach can be appealing, couples should carefully consider the practicality and cost-effectiveness of baking their own wedding cake, especially when factoring in elements such as the calcium citrate half-life of freshness for the cake, as it only lasts one to two days. This is crucial when planning a wedding, where timing and convenience are key, especially in those final hectic days before the big event.