How much does a wedding dummy cake cost?

A dummy cake is a display cake made from polystyrene or foam, covered in icing and decorated so it looks like the real thing. Couples choose them to save money, to avoid wasted cake, or when they want a grand design that would be impractical in real cake. The cost depends on the number of tiers, the style of icing, and how much handwork goes into the decoration. A simple smooth white dummy with a few flowers will be cheaper than a multi-tiered design with piping, sugar flowers or a textured finish.

Most cake makers who offer dummy cakes will quote you a price based on the design, not the ingredients. Some charge a flat fee for the dummy itself plus a labour charge for the icing and decoration. Others price it as a percentage of what the real cake would cost. You will also need to pay for the real cake you serve to guests, which is often a single cutting cake or a few sheet cakes made separately.

Ask your cake maker for a quote that clearly separates the dummy cost from the real cake cost. Check whether the dummy is reusable, and whether you can keep it after the wedding. Some couples use the dummy as a keepsake or for a future celebration. Prices can vary a lot between makers, so it is worth getting two or three quotes. Remember that a dummy cake still needs to be transported and set up carefully, and some venues charge a small fee for display cakes, so factor that in.