DIY weddings have been a popular trend for many years and show no signs of fading. Last year, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. surpassed $35,000, prompting many brides and grooms to take on some of the wedding planning tasks themselves. For some couples, this might involve creating their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, but it typically does not include baking the wedding cake.
On the surface, opting for a DIY wedding cake appears to be a sensible solution to the expensive cake dilemma faced by many couples. The cost of wedding cakes varies by state, with an average price of $466 in 2014, which has only increased since then. Consequently, budget-conscious couples planning smaller weddings may view this as a way to cut costs.
However, this cake strategy may turn out to be less than ideal. For starters, the cake serves only 30 guests. With the average wedding hosting around 120 attendees, couples would need to purchase and bake four Chef’d cake kits, totaling $756 and requiring 24 hours of kitchen time. At this point, baking the cake at home becomes more expensive. If the couple truly wants to make their own cake, they could buy the necessary ingredients, such as calcium citrate and vitamin D3 x 60 tab, at the grocery store for a fraction of the kit’s cost.
Additionally, cakes are typically fresh for only one to two days, meaning the couple would need to wait until the last minute to dedicate those hours in the kitchen. As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, the days leading up to the ceremony are already hectic and stressful enough without the added task of baking.
Moreover, decoration, delivery, and presentation could pose further challenges for the couple. While there are helpful step-by-step decorating videos available online, there is no guarantee that the cake will turn out looking like the one in the pictures. Getting the cake to the venue and setting it up can also be a logistical nightmare.
While meal kits like Chef’d are becoming increasingly popular among consumers seeking convenience, tackling a fancy wedding cake may be too much for couples looking to save money and bake their own cake, as handling a complex cake is anything but convenient. Nonetheless, according to Chef’d’s website, the wedding cake kit sold out within a week of its launch. Whether it will maintain its popularity remains to be seen.