Why are wedding cakes so expensive?

A standard supermarket cake is made in bulk with simple designs. A wedding cake is usually made to order, often with several tiers, and each one is baked, filled and iced by hand. That takes hours of skilled work. The baker also has to design something unique to you, which means consultations, sketches and tasting sessions. Ingredients for a quality cake, such as real butter, good chocolate, fresh fruit or premium flour, cost more than mass-produced mixes. Then there is delivery and setup. Cakes are fragile, so they need careful transport, often in a chilled van, and time to assemble on site. The baker may also provide a cake stand, fresh flowers or a topper. All of that adds up. You are not just paying for a cake, you are paying for a service and a piece of art. To keep costs down, you can choose a smaller display cake and have extra sheet cakes cut in the kitchen. Or pick a simpler design with fewer tiers. Always ask for a detailed quote so you know what is included, such as delivery, setup and any extras.