Can (and Should) You Make Your Own Wedding Cake?

Planning a wedding comes with a host of different tasks, from finding a venue to deciding on your guest list and picking a colour scheme. But one of the biggest choices you need to make is your wedding cake.

If you’re a passionate baker or you want to take a more hands-on approach to your big day, making your own wedding cake can be a fantastic place to start. The good news is it’s completely possible. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of making your own wedding cake, and where to start if you decide to go ahead.

The Pros and Cons of DIY-ing Your Wedding Cake

There are many benefits to making your own wedding cake. First of all, it can save you considerable money. When you pay a professional wedding cake designer, you could find yourself paying thousands for their expertise and time. If you’re a keen baker, you could hone your decorating skills with a course, to elevate your cake making techniques for a fraction of the cost of paying a professional.

It's also another way to add a personal touch to your wedding day. Your wedding should be personal to you as a couple, whether you’re planning a home wedding or a lavish celebration. By making your own cake, you have complete control over every aspect of the design, shape and flavours, plus your friends and family will appreciate the personal touch.

Of course, there are some downsides to consider. It can be very stressful to handle making your cake yourself, not to mention transporting it to your venue. If you’re considering a DIY bake, it’s important to do a trial run well in advance so you can be sure everything will run smoothly. You may also need to invest in specific equipment like larger cake pans and flavourings or decorations to make the cake as special as you’ll want it to be for your special day.

[Image source: Deposit photos]

Where to Begin When Baking a Wedding Cake

Plan Your Ingredients List

The first step is to decide what flavour of cake you want to make, the size you’re aiming for to accommodate your guest list, and the ingredients you’ll need. Remember, a multi-tiered cake isn’t the only way to go for your wedding day. If you want something with variety, a dessert table can be a wonderful option that allows you the opportunity to be creative while giving your guests several options. From cookies and brownies to doughnuts and mini cupcakes, think outside the box when deciding on a design.

Plan a detailed list, with quantities, and factor in a little extra of each in case anything goes awry. Aim to buy the best quality ingredients you can afford, as it will make all the difference to the final product.

Consider Mini Cakes

If you want a smaller undertaking that still gives your dessert table the wow factor, why not make mini layered cakes for each of your guests? This is a great option if you have a smaller guest list and can actually be easier to manage than one big cake. You can bake sheet cakes in large rectangular pans, cut out mini rounds with cookie cutters, then stack them in layers with buttercream in between. Decorate in any way you choose and you’ll have mini layered cakes that are the perfect portion.

[Image source: Deposit photos]

Think About How You’ll Decorate

There are countless ways to decorate a wedding cake, from icing and ganache to buttercream and sugar flowers. But don’t be afraid to take a minimalist approach with a naked cake. This style has a naturally beautiful but rustic look, and can be accompanied with flowers or fresh fruit. Simply stack each cake with buttercream between the layers, then apply a simple light crumb coat of buttercream or frosting on the outside for a slight touch of colour and extra moistness.

Work Out How You’ll Transport It

Almost more important than the baking process is how you’ll transport it to the venue. After all, you don’t want all your time and effort to go to waste by having it arrive in pieces. If you’re travelling further afield than a local venue, make sure you have something secure to put it in. Use a cake drum rather than a board, and use dowels to support the tiers if you’ve made a multi-tier cake. The box around the sides should be big enough to leave some room around the cake so as not to damage it, and use a non-slip mat under the box to prevent it sliding around in your car.

Don’t be Afraid to Seek Assistance

Just because you’re taking a DIY approach to your wedding cake, it doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. Getting help from a friend or relative can be a huge help when taking on such a big challenge, and can even make the whole process more fun. 

If you’re a confident baker and up for the challenge, DIY-ing your wedding cake can be a wonderful way to express your love and creativity. If the task feels overwhelming, consider scaling down your project with simpler designs, mini cakes, or a dessert table. And remember, enlisting help from loved ones can lighten the load and make the process more enjoyable. Whatever you decide, your wedding dessert will be a delicious way to celebrate your special day.