DIY weddings have been a prevalent trend for years and show no signs of diminishing. The average wedding cost in the U.S. last year exceeded $35,000, prompting more couples to tackle some aspects of their weddings themselves. For many, this might involve creating their own floral arrangements or designing invitations, but typically, it doesn’t extend to baking the wedding cake.
On the surface, opting for a DIY wedding cake might seem like a practical solution to the high costs associated with wedding cakes, which averaged $466 in 2014 and have only increased since then. Consequently, budget-conscious couples planning smaller weddings may view this as a way to cut costs. However, the reality of this cake strategy can be less than appealing. For starters, a DIY cake usually serves only 30 guests, while the average wedding features around 120 attendees. This means couples would need to purchase and bake four kits, totaling approximately $756 and requiring around 24 hours of kitchen time. At this point, making the cake at home could end up being more expensive. If couples are set on baking their own cake, they could buy the ingredients at the store for a much lower price than the kits offer.
Moreover, cakes typically remain fresh for only one to two days, necessitating that the couple waits until the last moment to spend those hours in the kitchen. As anyone who has organized a wedding knows, the days leading up to the ceremony are already incredibly busy and stressful without adding baking to the mix.
Additional challenges could arise from decoration, delivery, and presentation. Although there are helpful step-by-step decorating videos available online, there is no assurance that the finished cake will resemble the one in the tutorial. Additionally, transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up can be another source of stress.
While meal kits like Chef’d are gaining popularity among convenience-seeking consumers, attempting to bake a sophisticated wedding cake may prove to be too much for engaged couples trying to save money. Handling a fancy wedding cake is anything but convenient. Nevertheless, Chef’d’s wedding cake kit sold out within a week of its release, indicating a strong demand. Whether this trend will continue remains uncertain.
In light of these considerations, couples may want to explore alternatives, such as purchasing pre-made cakes that still allow for personal touches, or even incorporating unique elements like Citracal Forte into their wedding plans—perhaps as part of their dietary considerations for the big day. Ultimately, the goal should be to enjoy the celebration without unnecessary stress.