Budget guide · CakeWhat a wedding costs
Wedding Cake Costs
Cake is priced by the hour of decoration far more than by the ingredients, which is why two cakes of the same size can differ by hundreds of pounds.
- Illustrative planning range
- £250 – £900
- Suggested budget allocation
- 1–3%
Illustrative planning ranges, rather than national averages or supplier quotes. Costs vary by date, location, guest numbers and the services you choose; confirm prices with each supplier.
Behind the quote
What drives the cost.
- Decoration complexity, especially sugar flowers and hand-piped work
- Number of tiers and whether some are dummies
- Fondant versus buttercream or naked finishes
- Delivery and on-site assembly
Where the savings are
Ways to spend less.
- Dummy tiers with one real tier cut for photographs, and sheet cake served from the kitchen
- Naked or semi-naked finishes need far less labour than fondant
- Fresh flowers rather than sugar flowers
- Serve the cake as dessert rather than as an extra course
Before you book
Questions to ask.
- Is delivery and setup included?
- How is it cut and served, and does the venue charge for that?
- Can we taste before committing?
- How far in advance is it made?
Common questions
How much should we budget for cake?
UK couples typically spend between £250 and £900, which is around 1–3% of a total wedding budget. Where you land inside that depends mostly on decoration complexity, especially sugar flowers and hand-piped work.
How can we spend less on cake?
Dummy tiers with one real tier cut for photographs, and sheet cake served from the kitchen. Naked or semi-naked finishes need far less labour than fondant.
What should we ask before booking?
Is delivery and setup included? How is it cut and served, and does the venue charge for that?