Cost Cutting Measures for a Tiny Wedding: The Cake

Even though your wedding is going to be small, you will almost definitely want a wedding cake. Here are some ideas for saving money on a cake:

Don't mention the cake is for a wedding: you are looking at a small cake anyway. Why not simply get a round cake of your favorite flavor and have it frosted in white? Put your own topper on it an Voila! instant tiny wedding cake. No need to pay $3 a slice for a $1 a slice cake just because someone realizes it's for your wedding.

Make it yourself: it is a lot less daunting task to create a cake for 10 than it is to create one for 100. If you enjoy decorating and would like to try it, go for it. If it doesn't turn out just like you want you can always head to the local store for a plain white cake like in the above example.

Find a friend to make it: my own wedding was for 125 or so people. Not exactly what I call a tiny wedding, but I was young, what did I know. Anyway, if I managed to get a gorgeous cake for just the cost of the ingredients, you should be able to. Today many people who would love to get you a gift are strapped for cash. If you have a friend whose talents extend to cake making, ask. They would probably love to create a custom cake for you rather than get you a gift. And while most gifts will be quickly used up and forgotten, the memories of your wedding cake will last forever.

If you want the tiered look but don't want expense--

Try getting two premade cakes at the bakery and tier them yourself: bakeries usually have plain white cakes ready for custom decoration. Carry two out in graduated sizes. Set the smaller (cardboard included) right on top of the larger and hide the cardboard with silk flowers that match your bridal bouquet. (You can also use real flowers this way, if you make sure your flowers are edible.)

If your wedding is truly tiny:

Go with cupcakes: this is becoming an ever more popular option for even big weddings. Get a teeny tiny white cake for cutting, then buy or make a dozen or so plain white frosted cupcakes for the guests. Actually, this option can be something as basic as the suggestion here, or can become as complex as creating individually boxed tiny replicas of a full scale wedding cake.

Remember, what you do depends only on your budget and your imagination.