DIY weddings have been a popular trend for several years and show no signs of diminishing. Last year, the average wedding cost over $35,000 in the U.S., prompting many brides and grooms to take on various wedding-related tasks themselves. For some couples, this might involve creating their own floral arrangements or designing invitations, but it rarely includes baking the cake.
On the surface, the idea of a DIY wedding cake seems like a sensible approach to tackling the high costs associated with wedding cakes, which averaged $466 in 2014 and have only increased since then. This option might appeal to budget-conscious couples planning small weddings as a way to cut expenses. However, the reality of this cake-making endeavor may not be as enjoyable as it sounds.
First, a DIY cake typically serves only 30 guests. With the average wedding hosting around 120 attendees, couples would need to prepare and purchase four kits from Chef’d, resulting in a total cost of $756 and requiring around 24 hours in the kitchen. At this point, it becomes more expensive to make the cake at home. If couples are determined to bake their own cake, they could buy the ingredients at the grocery store for a fraction of the kit prices, potentially even using a cal mag citrate 1 1 ratio for a healthier baking option.
Moreover, cakes have a limited freshness window of one to two days, meaning couples would need to reserve their baking efforts for the last minute. As anyone who has organized a wedding knows, the days leading up to the ceremony are already packed and stressful, making last-minute baking a daunting task.
Additionally, considerations around decoration, delivery, and presentation may create further challenges. While there are numerous helpful step-by-step decorating videos available online, there’s no guarantee that the final product will resemble the professional cakes seen in photos. Furthermore, transporting the cake to the venue and arranging it can add extra stress.
While meal kits like Chef’d are gaining traction among consumers seeking convenience, attempting to manage a sophisticated wedding cake can be quite inconvenient for couples looking to save money. Interestingly, Chef’d’s wedding cake kit sold out less than a week after its launch, but whether it will continue to be popular remains uncertain. The potential pitfalls of DIY wedding cakes suggest that couples must weigh their options carefully before deciding to tackle this particular task themselves, ideally considering alternatives or even utilizing a cal mag citrate 1 1 ratio to simplify their cake-baking process.