Hi there, I’m Leigh-Anne, Cake Artist & Founder of Leigh-Anne's Flower Cake Design based in Manchester and serving Manchester, Cheshire and the wider North West of the UK.
Here is the True Cost of Your Bespoke Wedding Cake: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What Goes Into the Price
You might be wondering, "How much will my bespoke wedding cake cost?" It’s a question I hear frequently, and there’s a common misconception that a wedding cake should cost between £300 and £500. Many wedding blogs mention this price range, which can be quite surprising for couples when they receive a quote from a professional cake business. However, if you are looking for a luxury, bespoke wedding cake crafted with the finest ingredients and exceptional craftsmanship, that price range often only covers the cost of ingredients and materials—not the full value of a custom cake in 2024. Unfortunately, this misconception can lead to many professional businesses struggling or even closing down, which is truly heartbreaking given the time, money, and passion invested in their exceptional skills.
The cost of a bespoke wedding cake encompasses much more than just the ingredients. It reflects the extensive time, skill, artistry and cost required to craft a unique, custom design. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all.
To give you a clearer picture, let me take you behind the scenes and explain why a bespoke wedding cake is much more than just the sum of its ingredients.
Expertise and Skill
What began as a hobby in 2011 became a business in 2020 and continues to grow and evolve. Along the way, I’ve received awards and distinctions for my high standards, and I remain deeply committed to refining my skills. My style continues to flourish, incorporating distinctive artistry into every design.
I’m dedicated to bringing your vision to life with elegance and precision. With my experience and artistic expertise, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your wedding cake not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
Unique and Tailored to You
Every bespoke wedding cake I create is a one-of-a-kind work of art, meticulously designed to match your unique vision and style. Unlike off-the-shelf options, a custom cake is a personal statement that reflects your taste and the theme of your special day.
Whether you envision a minimalistic or extravagant design, your cake will be tailored to your specific desires. Our in-depth consultation covers everything from your theme, colour palette and preferences. I will also discuss your flavour choices, ensuring every detail is just right.
Investing in a bespoke cake means investing in unique artistry crafted exclusively for you—a centrepiece that captures your special day perfectly and will be remembered for years to come. My designs are not just cakes; they are carefully crafted expressions of your celebration, infused with my artistic touch and requiring significant time and skill to perfect.
This makes it a worthwhile investment!
Carefully Crafted with Premium Ingredients
The cost of a bespoke cake also reflects the high-quality ingredients used. I use only the finest components, from free-range eggs to pure vanilla extracts, Belgian chocolate, and quality fondant. These premium ingredients, ensure that your cake not only looks beautiful but also tastes delicious.
In addition to selecting top-quality ingredients, I put considerable effort into my tried and tested recipes and ongoing recipe development. Each recipe is carefully crafted and refined through years of experimentation, ensuring that every cake meets and exceeds your expectations. This commitment to recipe perfection ensures that every cake is a delightful combination of taste and design, providing a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Labour Costs
Without a doubt, labour is the biggest cost involved. Creating your dream wedding cake involves multiple detailed steps: from the initial consultation, research, and design planning to ordering supplies, preparing, baking, making fillings, filling cakes, coating them in ganache, covering them with sugar paste, handcrafting intricate bespoke decorations, stacking, decorating, and finally delivering the cake. Each stage demands significant time, skill, and precision!
It’s not merely a cake; it’s a delicious work of art that often takes months to plan and between 40 to 60 hours to create. I'm sure you agree that skilled craftsmanship deserves to be valued accordingly, and the time and dedication involved in this process are reflected in my pricing.
Additional Costs
It’s important to remember that the cost of a bespoke wedding cake isn’t just about the cake itself.
Several additional costs associated with running a business play a role in the final price, with a percentage of each order going towards covering these expenses:
Insurance: Essential for protecting both the business and clients.
Utility Bills: Covers electricity, water, and other utilities required for cake production.
Rent: Includes the cost of leasing a bakery or workspace, if applicable.
Website and Software Costs: Necessary for maintaining an online presence, managing orders, and branding.
Maintenance: Ensures equipment remains in excellent condition through regular inspections and repairs.
Stationery and Display Cakes: Used to showcase work and promote the business.
Promotion: Involves advertising efforts to reach new clients.
Courses: Covers continuous learning and skill development.
Packaging and Samples: Ensures proper presentation of cakes and samples.
Business Accounts: Involves managing the financial aspects of the business.
Marketing and Social Media Planning: Includes costs and time dedicated to content creation and audience engagement.
Business Food Safety: Ensures compliance with food safety standards.
All businesses must factor in indirect costs for several crucial reasons. First, it ensures sustainable operations by covering essential expenses and maintaining infrastructure. Second, it allows for accurate pricing, ensuring that all expenses are covered and a profit is generated. Third, it supports quality maintenance by enabling ongoing investment in product and service consistency. Fourth, it helps meet legal and compliance requirements, avoiding potential issues. Fifth, it provides the resources needed for business growth and improvements. Lastly, it facilitates effective financial planning through accurate budgeting and forecasting.
When you see the final price of a bespoke wedding cake, remember that it encompasses more than just the cost of ingredients.
It includes the extensive work involved and the many overheads of running a professional cake business.
I hope you found this blog helpful. Now, let’s bring your vision to life!
With a clearer understanding of the time, costs, artistry, and dedication that go into crafting a bespoke wedding cake, I’d love to help make your dream a reality. If you’re excited about the idea of a custom cake designed just for you, let’s start planning. Reach out to me today to check our availability and we can discuss how to create a stunning centrepiece for your celebration.
If you'd like to follow my journey and see more of my work, feel free to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.
Leigh-Anne x
Cake Artist & Founder of Leigh-Anne's Flower Cake Design