| Step 1 Have a small tiered cake. The tiered cake is meant specifically for looks and to have pictures taken with. Have sheet cakes to cut up for your guests to eat. Wedding cake is wedding cake. Many of your guests will not know that they are not eating the tiered cake. Step 2 Have a fake tiered cake. Another option is to have a Styrofoam cake decorated for pictures, but have sheet cakes for the guests to actually eat. You can wheel your for-visual-only wedding cake from view, and no one will know. Step 3 Skip the caterer's cake. Many caterers will want you to purchase your cake from them. But the reality is that they probably will not make the cake. They will order it from an outside source just as you would, and then add overhead cost to deliver it to you. Step 4 Skip a fancy cake topper. The cake topper is a large part of the cost. You can decorate the top of the cake with found objects that symbolize you as a couple. Or place flowers on the top. Take the same flowers that are in the bridal bouquet to tie the cake in with the rest of your decorations. Step 5 Order less cake than the number of people attending. Most people will only eat one piece, and many others will not have any cake at all. Offer other dessert options. Many people will opt out of cake for a simple cookie. Step 6 Choose an out-of-home baker or have a family member make it for you. Working out of the home allows them to have less overhead costs, and they will pass these savings on to you. Step 7 Skip the anniversary top. Let's admit their intention is good. But who really wants to eat a year-old freezer burnt cake on your first anniversary? This little cake actually could cost as much as any of the other layers. Step 8 Get the sides rolled in nuts. Sounds weird, but frosting the sides takes more time and effort than the top. This will cut down on the decorating time and cost. Step 9 Call your local arts and crafts store and ask if they offer cake decorating classes. If they do, contact the teacher. Ask her if she would like to make your cake, or she could give your referral to one of her talented students. Many students take the classes to decorate for their own families and might be thrilled to actually make money doing it. Step 10 Shop at discount or grocery stores. Any place that has a bakery, will more than likely decorate wedding cakes. They do not need to charge much overhead, because this is not their specialty. | 