Wedding cakes and desserts

At my wedding, I dealt with a total disaster: a bakery in Oakland called Graber failed to both bake and deliver the cake I had already paid for :-( They did refund the money for the cake, but the owner didn't even bother to offer a personal apology—I just got the runaround from the staff instead.

Does anyone happen to know where I might be able to track down a cake stand shaped like a tree stump? I’m looking for something exactly like this http://www.wedsociety.com/wedding-ph...eddings/226796 because I just think it would look so charming,

Charles Thompson50 said:Does anyone happen to know where I might be able to track down a cake stand shaped like a tree stump? I’m looking for something exactly like this http://www.wedsociety.com/wedding-ph...eddings/226796 because I just think it would look so charming,

You should probably check with a local woodworking shop; they could easily whip that up for you. Honestly, though, I wouldn't be surprised if you found something similar at a boutique candy shop—I see stuff like that in photos all the time.

Hey there! So, I've been scrolling through Pinterest lately—which is a dangerous hobby if you ask me—and I've fallen head over heels for the idea of a massive dessert table at my wedding. Instead of just sticking to the classic wedding cake, I'm dreaming of a full spread: cupcakes, cake pops, little cookie jars, you name it. It sounds like such a fun, sweet way to do things! Does anyone happen to know of any local bakers or caterers working around the Indianapolis area who could help pull something like this off?

I’ve been thinking that we might want to go with several smaller cakes instead, just to give everyone a bit more variety, or maybe we could even skip the traditional dessert tray altogether and just coordinate with the caterer for a fruit station and a chocolate fountain.

Does anyone have recommendations for bakeries in Washington, D.C.? I’m looking for anything from high-end spots to those cute little local shops, though I'd prefer places that aren't overly hyped up—I think we all know how much some of those famous places tend to overcharge.

We've been eyeing the pastries over at Bakery Delight in Columbus—their cakes and sweets look absolutely incredible. Has anyone here actually tried them yet? I'm curious about what the price point looks like, and more importantly... does the taste actually live up to the presentation?

Does anyone know a baker who can pull off a legit cake plus a bunch of mini cupcakes? 🙂 I’ve got this killer vision in my head, I just need to get a ballpark idea of what those cupcakes usually run. If you’ve dealt with this before, let me know! Thanks!!

Ladies, I need some intel on Bakery Delight in Columbus. I stumbled upon some posts from 2009 that don't look particularly promising, so I'm wondering if anyone has more recent info? Thanks. 🙂

Hey guys, I was wondering—what do you think would be a REALISTIC price tag for a cake like this? I mean, just thinking about one covered in whipped cream, probably filled with chocolate, and maybe even topped off with some fruit 😁
Just so I have a rough idea of what I should be budgeting for.

So, I was chatting with the lady over at Bakery Delight during the expo, and honestly, she’s such a sweetheart. Really knows her stuff, too. She told us she can whip up a vegan cake without breaking a sweat, and apparently, if we're hosting around 120 people, a cake sized for about 80 should do the trick. Plus, we get a sweet 15% discount if we book her! :-)

With cake prices, you’re basically looking at it per slice, though obviously, the more fancy the decorations, the more you pay. For example, looking at what they're doing down in Miami, prices range from $8.25 a slice all the way up to 40. My gut feeling? A solid 3 or 4-tier cake with some decent, non-over-the-top decor will probably run me about $10 per slice.

Honestly, when I first saw Megan Harris3's post, I was about to jump in and ask how much on earth a cake would actually run us, but I honestly couldn't be bothered because there were already so many people talking about it. But then I saw that when asked what a REALISTIC price per slice would be, Michael Mendoza14 goes $10 per piece, hahaha! I mean, no offense, but even a high-end pastry at a fancy bakery in downtown Chicago isn't going to cost that much. Okay, look, Michael Mendoza14 was talking about a vegan cake, so sure, maybe that’s pricier, but Megan Harris3 was asking about a standard cake. Ugh, I’ve already ranted before about how much these insane prices drive me crazy, but since I'm basically at the finish line with all this wedding planning, I’m taking the liberty of saying—and insisting—that I am right: the only people paying those kinds of amounts are either the super wealthy who just want the most expensive thing possible regardless of cost, or people who aren't thinking straight. Like one girl on another thread said, there is life after the wedding!
Anyway, from what I've seen at bridal expos, they quote you per slice, usually ranging from $10 up to $6.75. When you actually call up various bakeries or local businesses, it’s not always a simple "per slice" thing because so many factors come into play—like if you're ordering other treats from them, the quality of ingredients, or the design. We’re going to pay $533 for a cake serving about 200 people; we'll have one almond and orange cake on the main tier and a chocolate one off to the side. I actually picked our bakers after I had them make an extra pound of their pastries for me to try during a different order, and they were absolute perfection—honestly, better than all those samples you get at the expos. Once the wedding is over, I'll post a full review, and if anyone wants to know which bakery it is, just PM me.

analogtrucker17, I was wondering if you might be willing to share which bakery you were talking about, if it isn't too much of a secret?

analogtrucker17 said:Honestly, when I first saw Megan Harris3's post, I was about to jump in and ask how much on earth a cake would actually run us, but I honestly couldn't be bothered because there were already so many people talking about it. But then I saw that when asked what a REALISTIC price per slice would be, Michael Mendoza14 goes $10 per piece, hahaha! I mean, no offense, but even a high-end pastry at a fancy bakery in downtown Chicago isn't going to cost that much. Okay, look, Michael Mendoza14 was talking about a vegan cake, so sure, maybe that’s pricier, but Megan Harris3 was asking about a standard cake. Ugh, I’ve already ranted before about how much these insane prices drive me crazy, but since I'm basically at the finish line with all this wedding planning, I’m taking the liberty of saying—and insisting—that I am right: the only people paying those kinds of amounts are either the super wealthy who just want the most expensive thing possible regardless of cost, or people who aren't thinking straight. Like one girl on another thread said, there is life after the wedding!
Anyway, from what I've seen at bridal expos, they quote you per slice, usually ranging from $10 up to $6.75. When you actually call up various bakeries or local businesses, it’s not always a simple "per slice" thing because so many factors come into play—like if you're ordering other treats from them, the quality of ingredients, or the design. We’re going to pay $533 for a cake serving about 200 people; we'll have one almond and orange cake on the main tier and a chocolate one off to the side. I actually picked our bakers after I had them make an extra pound of their pastries for me to try during a different order, and they were absolute perfection—honestly, better than all those samples you get at the expos. Once the wedding is over, I'll post a full review, and if anyone wants to know which bakery it is, just PM me.

Maybe it's someone who wants gourmet cakes made from high-end ingredients, or someone who can't stand a mountain of sugar and flour where you can barely taste the fruit. Or maybe they have dietary restrictions, or they're obsessed with dark chocolate and real oranges or strawberries. Maybe they just want to enjoy the cake design as much as every other detail of the day, so they're willing to pay up. Or maybe they just love a specific brand from a certain Bakery Delight and the price doesn't matter because they want *that* exact thing... Or maybe they just love dessert so much they realize that $167 saving money on a cake isn't gonna pay their rent once the honeymoon is over, but they'll enjoy it anyway.

It's not like 30/$13 per piece is way too much. For me. For you.
But you're generalizing way too hard and exaggerating everything.

James Alvarez2 said:Maybe it's someone who wants gourmet cakes made from high-end ingredients, or someone who can't stand a mountain of sugar and flour where you can barely taste the fruit. Or maybe they have dietary restrictions, or they're obsessed with dark chocolate and real oranges or strawberries. Maybe they just want to enjoy the cake design as much as every other detail of the day, so they're willing to pay up. Or maybe they just love a specific brand from a certain Bakery Delight and the price doesn't matter because they want *that* exact thing... Or maybe they just love dessert so much they realize that $167 saving money on a cake isn't gonna pay their rent once the honeymoon is over, but they'll enjoy it anyway.

It's not like 30/$13 per piece is way too much. For me. For you.
But you're generalizing way too hard and exaggerating everything.

Why do we automatically assume that if something is cheaper, it’s inevitably disgusting, loaded with sugar, dyes, and margarine? We paid $333 for our incredible Nutella cake for 150 guests, and it was flawless—light, no artificial junk, none of that crap. It was cheaper simply because the bakery wasn't located in downtown Manhattan, but rather out in 62 miles near the suburbs. That doesn't change the quality or the value one bit.

Alex Smith6 said:analogtrucker17, I was wondering if you might be willing to share which bakery you were talking about, if it isn't too much of a secret?

I just sent you a DM 😉

James Alvarez2 said:Maybe it's someone who wants gourmet cakes made from high-end ingredients, or someone who can't stand a mountain of sugar and flour where you can barely taste the fruit. Or maybe they have dietary restrictions, or they're obsessed with dark chocolate and real oranges or strawberries. Maybe they just want to enjoy the cake design as much as every other detail of the day, so they're willing to pay up. Or maybe they just love a specific brand from a certain Bakery Delight and the price doesn't matter because they want *that* exact thing... Or maybe they just love dessert so much they realize that $167 saving money on a cake isn't gonna pay their rent once the honeymoon is over, but they'll enjoy it anyway.

It's not like 30/$13 per piece is way too much. For me. For you.
But you're generalizing way too hard and exaggerating everything.

Okay, fine, maybe it’s a little bit of a generalization, but I wouldn't call it "heavy," and I definitely don't think I'm overreacting. Look, sure, people have specific tastes, and there are definitely some places that work absolute magic with food—which is awesome—but there are also terrible spots out there. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's better, and cheap doesn't always mean it's garbage, but you can absolutely find high-quality stuff at a REALISTIC price without it being anything crazy special. When I was generalizing, I meant that when people get caught up in all the wedding madness, those "realistic" prices suddenly feel like a total steal, making a cake that costs $10/piece seem totally reasonable. I've tried some "famous" desserts that were honestly nothing special; the taste was just okay, but everything felt like it was made from that same generic grocery store frosting, and I hate that. And they were way more expensive than the treats at our local Bakery Delight, which honestly puts them to shame. I love unique flavors too, and we're actually going to have a cake based on a recipe I gave the baker, but I don't think that makes it worth a small fortune. I'll just sit back and decide if I can actually afford it, knowing I'm paying a bit more than usual.

crimsonjackal12 said:Why do we automatically assume that if something is cheaper, it’s inevitably disgusting, loaded with sugar, dyes, and margarine? We paid $333 for our incredible Nutella cake for 150 guests, and it was flawless—light, no artificial junk, none of that crap. It was cheaper simply because the bakery wasn't located in downtown Manhattan, but rather out in 62 miles near the suburbs. That doesn't change the quality or the value one bit.

See? You can actually use common sense.😁

Look, I get it, whether people are dropping 10, 30, or even 50 grand, hey, it’s their money and they can do what they want, right? But honestly, I am hearing these insane numbers being thrown around constantly—both from the vendors and the couples themselves—as if it’s just standard practice, and it makes me sit back and wonder what kind of crazy economy we’re actually living in. Because let’s be real, I know for a fact there are plenty of services out there that are just as high-quality, if not better, but they actually come with a price tag that won't leave you broke.

crimsonjackal12 said:Why do we automatically assume that if something is cheaper, it’s inevitably disgusting, loaded with sugar, dyes, and margarine? We paid $333 for our incredible Nutella cake for 150 guests, and it was flawless—light, no artificial junk, none of that crap. It was cheaper simply because the bakery wasn't located in downtown Manhattan, but rather out in 62 miles near the suburbs. That doesn't change the quality or the value one bit.

I never said cheap things *have* to be full of sugar and dye. It’s an option. That’s why I used "or" seven different times above.
There were other options you skipped over too.
Maybe I want organic fruit, or gluten-free, or maybe I specifically want a certain high-end bakery...

I said higher quality costs more. I didn't say *how much* more.
Whether it's $7 or $10 per slice doesn't matter.
The fact is, if a cake isn't just basic sponge and frosting, it's gonna cost more.
Nutella is literally just sugar and fat by definition. Doesn't mean I don't like it. Or that you can't.

You even said it yourself—it's not in the city center. Might not even be in the metro area, considering where that girl quoting the $30 price came from. There's tons of factors in pricing. Location, volume, ingredients, brand name, popularity...

Personally, I hate wedding desserts. I've eaten probably 100 of them and haven't hit one decent wedding cake yet. Just because they aren't my thing doesn't mean they aren't yours. At my best friend's last wedding, the cake was incredible, but I only ate a bite just to be polite. It doesn't matter who likes what—it's your day, your cake, your call, and they just have to be good for you guys.

But that's exactly why it's stupid to talk about someone else's "overpriced" cake and act like the people paying for it are dumb, rich, or just don't care.

Look, you don't need to come at me. I'm just telling you what the prices are like in Chicago. I was at a wedding expo over at Madison Square Garden recently and did some actual digging. For instance, this high-end boutique bakery there is charging $1500 for an average cake meant to feed 110 people, which works out to $13 a piece. Meanwhile, at my local neighborhood bakery, nothing costs more than $6.75 per slice. These "cake boutiques" in Chicago aren't even real bakeries—they’re basically just social media influencers with ovens. They blow up on Facebook, and before I could even mention wanting a vegan option, the lady told me decorations alone can push the price anywhere from $25 to $40... I didn't make that up. And when I asked if making it eggless with plant-based milk would change anything, she straight up said no, the price stays the same. So, it's pretty stupid to assume I'm being spoiled or acting entitled. I'm literally just reporting the prices I heard firsthand in Chicago...

Ma'am, look, I seriously didn't mean to come at you or say anything insulting, and honestly, I don't have any preconceived notions about you, so I'm sorry if it came off that way. I had no clue prices were that high in San Francisco, because back in a city like New York, those aren't just average—they're absolutely insane, and I still can't wrap my head around people paying that much. I still think those prices are totally ridiculous and just plain unrealistic, but hey, if you don't have any other options, then I guess it's a different story. Still, from where I'm sitting, hearing someone claim that $10/lb is a "fair" price is just incredibly irritating, and frankly, all this constant throwing of numbers around is exhausting. I'm pretty sure it bugs a lot of people. But man, it also sucks to be in a position where a tiny slice of cake costs a fortune, though I guess it would be a massive pain to drive all the way from a place like New York just to order a cake.

In San Francisco, specifically in this neck of the woods, there is a little pastry shop that hasn't been around for very long, yet anyone who tastes their cakes or tortes is absolutely floored. They don't deal in mass-produced junk or those tired, standard creams you see everywhere; instead, they rely on what you just described—rich dark chocolate, genuine oranges, or actual strawberries. I was told $6.75 a single slice without any unnecessary garnishes that would bloat the price up to $30, but frankly, I have no interest in fondant. 🙂

Sophia Morris3 said:In San Francisco, specifically in this neck of the woods, there is a little pastry shop that hasn't been around for very long, yet anyone who tastes their cakes or tortes is absolutely floored. They don't deal in mass-produced junk or those tired, standard creams you see everywhere; instead, they rely on what you just described—rich dark chocolate, genuine oranges, or actual strawberries. I was told $6.75 a single slice without any unnecessary garnishes that would bloat the price up to $30, but frankly, I have no interest in fondant. 🙂

They always hike up the prices just because of the decorations. Honestly, those naked cakes might actually be a decent deal sometimes.