Have you ever thought about what determines the cost of wedding cakes? As you flip through the pages of the latest bridal magazines and look at the gorgeous creations, you begin to dream about having a design that is uniquely "you." But what will it cost and where can you find it? There are numerous factors that contribute to the cost of a cake. Number one is the geographic region where the wedding will take place. Other factors are decorator experience, cake quality, creativity, legalities, artistic ability, fillings, delivery, type of flowers and other delicate decorations.

A survey which interviewed a sampling of cake artists across the United States revealed that the basic price for a simple buttercream cake could be as little as $1.50 per serving in rural areas to $12.00 per serving in a metropolitan area, such as New York. Most of the decorators interviewed are considered cake artists rather than cake bakers and have small studios or licensed home based businesses rather than commercial bakeries. A renowned decorator in California said, "Cakes in our area are expensive. Recently, I saw a special three-tier wedding cake with cars all over it cost $3,000. Another decorator did a three foot tall vase of roses all cake and chocolate for $5,000. In Beverly Hills they get these prices for regular wedding cakes."

Our local area prices seem to range on the lower scale with $1.50 - $1.75 basic ranging to $5.00 - $6.00 specialty with the average being $2.00 - $3.00. Our Tennessee neighbors quote a basic price of $3.00 to $6.00. The Minneapolis area of MN and south of the city are pretty consistent with the $1.50 - $2.25 but north of the city the prices start at $3.00 up. MO ranges in the $2.00 ?$3.50 range. One eastern Virginia decorator quotes his bottom price at $5.00 per serving but relates that other decorators in the area are $2.50-$6.00. A talented Texas decorator says that basic cake in her area can be as inexpensive as $1.95 per serving but custom designs can run from $2.50 to $15.00+ a slice depending on complexity and the number of techniques incorporated into the final design. The northwestern state of WA quotes the basic cake price at $1.50 - $2.00 per serving. A New York decorator begins pricing at $10.00 and some cakes are based on a commission basis of the total wedding budget. This decorator is quoted as saying, "Art has no limit."

Experience of the cake artist should always be a factor in price. Someone who has been decorating twenty years will probably be more competent in some situations than a beginner who has had little or no training. Taste the cake for quality. Although you have a beautiful cake, you do not want a course texture like corn bread for your special occasion. It should be delicate, light and tasty. Do you want a filling in your cake? The price of fillings also varies by geographic region. It ranges from .15 - $2.00 per serving in MN; .20 in VA; .30 a slice in MO; MD, $2.00 per cake, and KY ranges in the lower price range of .10 per serving to $5.00 per layer.

Talk with decorators and look at pictures. Do you have a picture you want copied or an idea that you would like to see sketched out? It takes more skill to design a cake specifically for you than to copy something from a common book. Most decorators across the country do not charge extra to copy a picture that you bring in unless it involves very difficult decorations.

The type flowers used on the cake can make a significant difference both in the appearance as well as the cost. Normally there is no additional cost for tube decoration buttercream flowers. However, hand molded sugar paste flowers in our area cost approximately the same as fresh flowers with some variance. A top piece could cost as little as $50.00 ranging upward to $200 for a full cascade. A decorator in MO charges $5.00 per rose and $3.00 per cala lilies. One decorator charges $35 per hour for the time required to form the delicate petals. Most decorators seem to lump off an amount according to complexity rather than charge by the individual blossom.

Many brides want the appearance of a large display but do not want a lot of cake left over. These brides often request styrofoam or dummy cakes. Normally they think this will be less money, but this is not necessarily true. Some decorators do not decorate fake cakes at all. Others charge the same as for fresh cake. Styrofoam is as expensive as ingredients and the same amount of decoration is required. Areas of MO quote $4.00 per inch for styrofoam ?a 14?layer would cost $140.00 decorated. Some places offer rental cakes for the bride who wishes to cut corners. She places the rental cake on display and serves less expensive sheet cakes.

Delivery must also be a consideration. Some areas price their cake to include local delivery. One location in MN charges $10 basic plus .50 per mile; an area in MO $40. A noted VA decorator delivers free within 15 miles then $1/mile each way beyond that; NY has a $35 fee minimum for a twenty block radius for a small cake and $75 minimum for a tier cake, and only delivers between the hours of 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Here in KY delivery ranges from free local delivery to a range of $20 - $50.

Considering all of these factors, it would seem that the brides in this geographic region are very lucky. We have many talented cake artists in our area that can provide New York and Beverly Hills quality for affordable prices. All you have to do is search them out. Each individual has different ideas as well as various budgets. Your selection is much the same as buying a car ?do you want a budget car or a luxury model? A famous NY decorator made the following quote, ?ricing will always be a challenge because art is priceless?

Please keep in mind that these are only a sampling of geographic prices and could be higher or lower in any given area. Segments of research provided by SOJacobson.