DIY weddings have been a popular trend for several years and show no signs of diminishing. Last year, the average wedding cost in the U.S. exceeded $35,000, prompting more brides and grooms to take on various wedding tasks themselves. For some couples, this involves creating their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, though it rarely includes baking the cake.
On the surface, DIY wedding cakes appear to be a sensible solution to the expensive cake dilemma many couples encounter. The price of this celebratory dessert varies by state, averaging around $466 in 2014, with costs rising since then. Consequently, budget-conscious couples planning smaller weddings might view this as an opportunity to save money.
However, this cake-making plan might not be as sweet as it seems. Firstly, a typical Chef’d cake serves only 30 guests. Considering that the average wedding hosts about 120 attendees, couples would need to purchase and bake four of these cakes, resulting in a total expenditure of $756 and around 24 hours spent in the kitchen. At this stage, it becomes more cost-effective to buy the cake than to make it at home. If couples truly wish to bake their own cake, they could acquire the ingredients from the grocery store at a fraction of the kit’s price.
Additionally, cakes have a limited freshness of just one to two days, meaning couples would need to wait until the last minute to invest those hours into baking. As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, the days leading up to “I do” are already filled with stress and busyness, making baking a significant undertaking.
Furthermore, aspects like decoration, delivery, and presentation could add extra complications for couples. While there are helpful step-by-step videos available online for decorating, there’s no guarantee the cake will resemble the images shown. There’s also the challenge of transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up properly.
Although meal kits like Chef’d are gaining traction among those seeking convenience, attempting to bake a fancy wedding cake might be a step too far for couples looking to save money. Handling such a cake is anything but convenient. Interestingly, 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 uncertain.
Incorporating elements like cal mag citrate into the cake could be an innovative way to enhance its nutritional value, but this adds yet another layer of complexity to the baking process. Ultimately, while DIY cakes can offer a creative outlet, couples should weigh their options carefully before diving into this endeavor.