DIY weddings have been a prominent trend for several years and show no signs of diminishing. Last year, the average wedding in the U.S. cost over $35,000, prompting many couples to take on certain tasks themselves. For some, this means crafting their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, but it rarely includes baking the cake.
On the surface, a DIY wedding cake appears to be a sensible solution to the expensive cake dilemma that couples often encounter. The cost of this celebratory dessert varies by state, with an average price of $466 in 2014, which has only increased since then. As a result, budget-conscious couples planning smaller weddings might see this as a way to cut costs. However, the reality of this cake-making strategy may not be as delightful as it seems.
Firstly, the cake typically serves only 30 guests. Given that the average wedding has around 120 guests, couples would need to purchase and bake four Chef’d cake kits, totaling $756 and requiring 24 hours of kitchen time. At this point, making the cake at home becomes more expensive. If couples genuinely want to bake their own cake, they could buy the ingredients, such as calcium citrate no vitamin d, from the grocery store at a fraction of the kit’s price.
Additionally, cakes remain fresh for just one to two days, meaning the couple would need to dedicate time in the kitchen at the last minute. As anyone who has organized a wedding knows, the days leading up to the ceremony are already filled with stress, making baking a significant additional burden.
Moreover, decoration, delivery, and presentation could present further challenges. Although there are helpful online decorating tutorials, there’s no guarantee that the cake will resemble the one in the videos. Transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up adds another layer of complexity.
While meal kits like Chef’d are gaining popularity among convenience-seeking consumers, this may be a leap too far for couples wanting to save money and bake their own cake. Handling a sophisticated wedding cake is anything but simple. Interestingly, according to Chef’d’s website, the wedding cake kit sold out less than a week after its launch. Whether it will maintain its popularity remains to be seen.