Wedding guides / Cake

Cake

The wedding cake (or increasingly, a dessert table/alternative) is a small line item cost-wise but a highly visible one, often a dedicated photo moment at the reception.

R2 500 – R9 000 Scales with tier count, guest count, and design complexity — fondant and sugar-flower work costs meaningfully more than a simple buttercream finish.

Why it matters

Cake cutting is a set-piece moment in most receptions, and flavour/design mismatches are hard to fix last minute — most bakers need real lead time for custom designs.

When it should happen

2–3 months out; earlier (4+ months) for elaborate custom designs or if the baker is in high demand for the date.

Questions to ask

Does the price include delivery and setup at the venue?
Can they accommodate dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegan) for at least a portion of the cake?
Is a tasting included before finalising the order?
How far in advance is the cake made, and how is it stored/transported?

Mistakes to avoid

Ordering a cake sized for the wrong guest count (too little or too much).
Not requesting a tasting before committing to a design and flavour.
Assuming delivery/setup is automatically included in the quoted price.

Worth knowing

If dietary requirements are a factor for a meaningful chunk of your guest list, ask this upfront — it's much easier for a baker to plan for from the start than to retrofit.