Let's Talk Cake
When we talk about cake, let's also talk about your vision. By far, traditional wedding cakes are the most popular for good reasons. Cupcakes and Dessert Bars are favored by those who might have a whole table spread in mind; with table decorations and dessert tray set ups. Of course, budget plays a big part in your final decision. Whatever your vision and budget is, we're here to help with your wedding cake planning!
With both our Budget Friendly or Full Service options, you can expect the same great attention from our Wedding Team to help you with all your wedding cake questions. Below are general calculations comparing wedding cake, cupcakes or dessert bar options. In addition to a price comparison, we've also addressed things to consider that you might not have even thought of!
What's Your Vision?
The vision for your wedding cake can be anything from a simple table next to a beautiful background at your venue to a whole table display with cake and other desserts spread across. It all varies depending on your style. What's important is you can envision many sweet moments when there's cake. As you read on, you'll know why wedding cake on your wedding day matters.
Cake / Dessert Table- is a huge centerpiece at your reception. It gives your event a focal point. When done right, it elevates your whole reception from decoration, meal experience to your evening timeline.
Cake Cutting- is all about the moments. Guests love being a part of your cake cutting but more than just for the guests; it's filled with all the moments you will want to look back and remember. Cutting the cake hand in hand is your first team effort as a married couple. The fun in feeding each other bites of the cake. The satisfaction when you both take your bite and agree - not just the cake, but this day is everything you expected. The anticipation in not knowing who will smear a bit of cream on the nose first for that silly moment. Your sweet kiss to seal your love.
Cake Course- is more than just passing out cake. It is sharing with your guests a bit of who you are. From your flavor choice to your cake decoration (and the cake toppers!), it tells and reminds your friends and family of the couple that you are. It gives your day a timeline in events. When there's no cake, guests get confused when the celebration has wrapped up. So many times, we've heard not just from our wedding couples but with our birthday and other celebration customers, guests wait around until cake is served. One question we hear is, "is it true not all guests will eat cake?". Not because we're the bakers, but the truth is, all guests will eat good cake! And hearing from our past couples, even those guests who claim they don't like cake will try a bite of our cake - and rave about it!
Our 45+ years of experience working with weddings and seeing all the trends, we have the understanding to help you fulfill your vision. Whether it's a cake, cupcake or dessert bar; we want you to look back in years to come with a sweet smile.
CALCULATING WEDDING CAKE
We price our cakes based on the size and design of the cake. For example, our Full Service 12-9-6" cake, which feeds 100 people, is approximately $725.
If you want to determine cost/slice, that wedding cake would calculate out to be about $7.25/person. Price includes one standard flavor and standard buttercream decoration. Additional $40 for each additional flavor and there's an additional delivery fee. Price will vary depending on exact delivery location and any additional decoration requests.
Please keep in mind, if you are familiar with the wedding tradition to save the top tier for the anniversary, account for 10 servings with the 6" top tier cake. Budget Friendly pricing for same cake will be approximately $525.
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Cake Servings & Pricing
We offer a variety of cake sizes that we feel are properly proportioned and stacked so that it looks beautiful. Depending on your style and servings needed, we will recommend you a cake size. We don't change our wedding cake sizes.
Cake Designs
All of our wedding cakes are custom made and to your specifications. While your imagination is the limit, we have found the happiest couples are those who do not break-the-bank on their cake. Browse our Wedding Cake Collections for design inspiration and genuine examples of our quality work. For couples who have not considered design, we usually recommend they start by narrowing down to a popular style, such as textured, piping, or themed.
Cake Floral Setups
Flower selection and placement is usually done with the florist or planner. We highly recommend having a florist decorate the cake to get an added touch. It's what they do best, and they will generally have more to work with (i.e. varied sizes of flowers, vines, greens, etc.). If you need us to service your flower set up, please check with us on our availability. Pricing depends on your needs.
Cake Table Setup
With our standard delivery and cake setup, we bring the wedding cake into the reception room and set the cake up on any cake stand or table you provided. We will add on the cake topper if there is one for no additional charge. If your cake topper is on the heavier side, please be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can prepare the cake with extra support for the weight of the topper. If fresh flowers are part of the decoration, the florist on site then finishes most cakes.
Cake Stands & Risers
We recommend couples purchase or rent their own cake stands. When purchasing (or renting) your cake stand, make sure the flat area where the cake sits is at least the size of the cake board noted in your order confirmation. Experience has taught us that you should physically reconfirm the diameter once you receive your stand to ensure it is the correct size. If the cake stand is smaller than the cake board, contact us before ordering. If you are using a rental company for the wedding, you can generally rent a stand. The stand is then delivered and picked up at the same time as the other rentals. It is recommended you confirm with your caterer or event venue how they will manage the cake stand.
Freedom Bakery has limited white porcelain cake stand sets for purchase. They are sold in a set of 5 stands for $100 with 2ct - 10.5", 1ct - 8.5" and 2ct - 4" stands. No substitutions in sizes. Please let us know upon ordering if you want to purchase a set.
We have standard silver cake risers for use without charge on-site at the following venues. This is a complimentary service we have provided to our popular venues but please check in with individual venues to confirm. They would have more accurate inventory as the stands are stored at the individual sites:
Asilomar Conference Center | Bayonet Golf Course | Bernardus Lodge | Holman Ranch | La Playa Hotel | Mission Ranch | Monterey Plaza | Monterey Tide | Perry House | Seascape Golf | Seascape Resort | The Gatherings
CALCULATING CUPCAKES
While budgeting, keep in mind cupcakes are comparable to traditional cake pricing. Cupcakes do have more flexibility in controlling your budget if you're willing to keep your flavors and count to a minimum. The more unique flavors you choose, the more total cupcake counts you will need.
Generally, we recommend 2-3 cupcake flavors and 1.25 cupcakes per guest. In addition to the cupcakes, you will still need a cutting cake and any stands, depending on your table vision. For 100 people, with one standard and one specialty cupcake flavors; your total cupcakes and cutting cake cost is approximately $654. Price will vary depending on exact delivery location and any additional decoration requests.
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8" Single tier cutting cake (Serves 15 with standard buttercream decoration): $120
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Recommended 115-125 cupcakes divided evenly between standard ($3.95 ea) and one specialty ($4.95 ea) flavors = $237+$297= $534
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Delivery charge depends on location.
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Cupcake set up cost not included in calculation but available.
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Cupcake stands and jackets not included in calculation nor offered.
Cupcake Decoration varies based on the flavor you choose. Decorations such as sugar flowers or seashells are extra and quoted on request.
Cutting Cake 6" round is $95, 8" Round is $120. Pricing includes standard buttercream decoration and only available with dessert or cupcake order.
CALCULATING DESSERT BAR
Dessert bar cost is usually higher than our other options and more to consider. But a dessert bar is perfect for couples looking to provide their guests with a variety of treats and a beautiful display! And we have something to tickle the pickiest of wedding goers. The presentation options for desserts can be overwhelming but with a vision and proper considerations, a dessert bar is always loved!
We normally suggest 3 to 5 dessert pieces per person and start with one flavor selection per dessert type. For larger weddings, you would add 1 or 2 more flavors. Approximate cost "per set" is about $12. A typical dessert bar would have an 8" round cutting cake with 3-5 dessert pieces per person. For 100 people, your total dessert bar would start at approximately $1140. Price will vary depending on exact delivery location and any additional decoration requests.
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Single tier 8" cutting cake (serves 15 and with standard buttercream decoration) $120.
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340 dessert pieces (using 4 pieces) for 85 guests (85 sets) $1020.
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Delivery charge depends on location.
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Dessert Bar set up not included in calculation but available.
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Stands and platters not included in calculation nor offered.
How stylized do you want the set up to be?
The main element with the table setup is getting the necessary stands and platters to create the dessert table you're envisioning. White ceramics are what most rental companies carry. To achieve a more stylized and specific looks such as wooden or glass stands, you would likely need to purchase your stands.
How big of a cake do you need if you're doing desserts?
A cake provides a natural focal point for the dessert table. We highly recommend you have at least a single tier with your dessert bar for cake cutting. The largest cake we would recommend to have on a table with desserts is the 12-9-6" (serves 100). If you only need a single tier, we recommend the 8".
How to serve a dessert bar.
The desserts that we offer are a good size at 1.5" to 1.75" inches. We normally suggest 3 to 5 pieces per person. If you have cake in addition to your dessert bar, a cake sized for 30% to 40% of the guest count should be enough to ensure everyone gets some cake. You can even have your caterer cut your cake slices into 1/2 servings. Doing so makes the cake a part of the dessert offering. The half slice is plated on one side of the dessert plate. Guests will know to use the other half of the dessert plate for other treats at the Dessert Bar.
We can provide dessert menu cards upon request. Please let us know if you want ours or shop around for your own. You can place these cards on the table so people know what they're enjoying. Dessert Bar is set up before your wedding reception for guests to view. Many couples like to put a note asking guests to hold off on enjoying until after the cake cutting.
A Dessert Bar spread is a beautiful addition to your room and just looks scrumptious. You know your guests best, so plan for dessert counts accordingly. It is human nature to try a little of everything when there are different options, so the more flavors and variety, the more you'll need to order.
- Cupcake and dessert bar items have their indicated minimum count based on per flavor. For example, you will need to order a minimum of 24 lemon cream puffs. If you want a second cream puff flavor, you will need to order a minimum of 24 of each flavor.
- Minimum of dessert and/or cupcake orders is $400 - $600 depending on venue, to our core delivery area. $600 product minimum for table set-up services in our core delivery area, pending availability.
- You can always pick up the cupcakes from our Watsonville bakery.