DIY weddings have been a popular trend for many years and show no signs of slowing down. Last year, the average wedding in the U.S. cost over $35,000, prompting many brides and grooms to take on various wedding tasks themselves. For some couples, this includes creating their own flower arrangements or designing invitations, though it generally does not extend to baking the wedding cake.
On the surface, making a DIY wedding cake appears to be a sensible solution to the expensive cake dilemma that many couples encounter. The price of this celebratory dessert varies by state, but in 2014, it averaged around $466, with prices continuing to rise since then. As a result, budget-conscious couples planning smaller weddings might see this as a way to save money. However, in practice, this cake-making plan may not be as delightful as it seems.
First, the cake typically serves only 30 guests. Given that the average wedding hosts around 120 guests, couples would need to purchase and bake four of the Chef’d cake kits, totaling approximately $756 and requiring 24 hours of kitchen time. At this point, it becomes more expensive to make the cake at home than to buy one. Couples who truly wish to bake their own cake could simply purchase ingredients from the grocery store at a fraction of the kit’s price.
Additionally, cakes are only fresh for one to two days, meaning the couple would need to wait until the last moment to invest those hours in baking. Anyone who has planned a wedding can vouch for the fact that the final days leading up to saying “I do” are already filled with enough stress without the added pressure of baking.
Moreover, decoration, delivery, and presentation can add extra complications. While there are helpful step-by-step decorating videos online, there’s no guarantee that the cake will resemble the one in the pictures. Furthermore, transporting the cake to the venue and setting it up can be challenging.
Although meal kits like Chef’d are gaining popularity among those seeking convenience, attempting to handle a fancy wedding cake may be too much for couples looking to save money and bake their own, as it’s anything but convenient. Interestingly, Chef’d’s wedding cake kit sold out less than a week after its launch. Whether it will maintain its appeal remains to be seen.
In the midst of wedding planning, couples may also want to consider their health needs, such as incorporating the best calcium citrate supplement for osteoporosis, especially if they have family histories of bone health issues. This is something that should also be factored into their planning, as good health is crucial during such a busy and stressful time. Whether it’s managing wedding tasks or ensuring health considerations are covered, DIY weddings continue to challenge couples in more ways than one.