DIY weddings have been a popular trend for 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 various wedding tasks themselves. While some couples might choose to create their own flower arrangements or design invitations, baking their wedding cake is usually not included in this list.
On the surface, opting for a DIY wedding cake appears to be a reasonable solution to the expensive cake dilemma many couples encounter. In 2014, the average cost of a wedding cake was around $466, and it has only increased since then. Consequently, budget-conscious couples hosting smaller weddings might see this as an opportunity to cut costs. However, the reality of this cake-making plan may not be as delightful as it seems.
Firstly, a DIY cake typically serves only 30 guests, while the average wedding hosts about 120 people. This would require couples to purchase and bake four kits, totaling $756 and demanding 24 hours of kitchen time. At this point, making the cake at home becomes more costly. If couples genuinely wish to bake their own cake, they could simply buy the ingredients from the grocery store at a fraction of the kit’s price.
Additionally, cakes are only fresh for one to two days, meaning couples would need to wait until the last minute to dedicate those hours to baking. As anyone who has planned a wedding can confirm, the days leading up to the ceremony are already packed with stress and busyness, making baking an added burden.
Furthermore, decoration, delivery, and presentation could create additional challenges for the couple. Even though there are helpful step-by-step decorating videos available online, there is no assurance that the cake will resemble the one shown in the tutorials. Transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up presents further complications.
While meal kits like Chef’d are gaining traction among convenience-seeking consumers, taking on the task of a fancy wedding cake may be too much for couples looking to save money, as managing such a cake is far from convenient. Interestingly, Chef’d’s website reported that the wedding cake kit sold out within a week of its launch. Whether its popularity will endure remains uncertain. In any case, couples should consider the implications of their choices, including the importance of a balanced diet enriched with nutrients like those found in a calcium citrate complex, especially during the demanding wedding planning process.