The centerpiece of the evening, the delicious dessert, and the beautiful sharing of the first piece. Yes, wedding cakes! Get all the info on creative ideas for your wedding cake, and how to get the sweets you've dreamed about without emptying your savings.

Wedding Cake Tips and Trends

By Jennifer Baumann

Trying to figure out a way you can have that castle of a confection when your pocketbook can't even afford the moat? Check out these tips to cut corners and still get the cake of your dreams.

Price Per Piece
If you're checking out cakes at traditional bakeries, most charge per piece of cake. After you find out the cost per slice, ask about delivery charges, accessory rentals, or additional charges, too. You'll find most bakeries charge between $3.00 and $7.00 per slice, but the really fancy (or famous) cake designers can ask up to $15.00 per precious piece of their creation.

Time Frame and Deposit
Ask about how soon you need to order, and how much deposit is required at the time of the order.

Surprise Costs
Want a unique decorating twist, want each layer to be a different flavor, or do you want the cakes to be filled with cream or fruit? This usually costs extra, so get the lowdown before you order.

Sheet Cake Backup
Save cash by ordering a smaller showpiece wedding cake, then ask your caterer to cut slices of sheet cakes made of the same stuff in the kitchen to bring out to your guests.

Decorate Yourself
Save lots of money on sugar flowers and marzipan fruits by ordering your wedding cake plain, then adorning it with fresh flowers or rose petals once it shows up at the reception site.

Decorate Separately
You can find sugar flowers, ribbons, dragees, and marzipan at cake decorating and pastry shops. Cut the cost by decorating with these sweet confections yourself once the cake arrives on premises.

Weather Restrictions
Inform your baker about the weather conditions of your wedding. If you're having a beach wedding in July, for example, you will have certain restrictions, because many icings and fillings will melt in the heat.

Baker Who's A Friend
Know anyone who's great in the kitchen? Why not ask them to bake a cake for you? Especially if you're having a small wedding, a homemade cake from talented friend is personal as well as cost-cutting.

Anniversary Cake
Ask your baker about freezing the top layer for your first anniversary. Some have special recipes that freeze better, or she may be able to give you some tips for optimum flavor a year from now!

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