Rent the Cake

The number one reason couples opt for a fake cake is “Budget”

Renting a cake can save you money in many circumstances. There is no question about it. 

From an actual consumer:

“… the designed cake is merely a visual centerpiece. To go “faux” is a good tradeoff, still keeping the tradition, but freeing up stress and money for the real food, drink, and entertainment that, I assure you, our guests will enjoy much more.”

However, renting a wedding cake does not save money in every circumstance. There are trade-offs to renting versus hiring a professional cake decorator or bakery. If you are in one of the following groups, you are far more likely to save money renting a cake:

1. You consider the cake as a display
Many brides want a beautiful centerpiece but are more concerned about the visual appearance than the confection itself. Larger, more ornate cakes are less expensive when rented because most of the cake is pre-made. This point   goes with the second:

2. You don’t mind if your cake design is not 100% original
You can get a beautifully decorated fake cake for much less money than a real cake if you go through a vendor who specializes in fake cakes. The more extravagant, the design, the more likely your savings will increase. Many cake renters offer two product lines: Pre-designed and custom designed. Of course when you begin customizing anything, you will incur additional expense.
3. Your caterer’s price includes dessert that is not the cake
Many couples purchase a complete catering package that includes dessert. If the wedding cake won’t be be the dessert, then renting a dummy cake serves the purpose of the tradition but doesn’t add an additional expense.

4. You have a very large guest list
When you begin multiplying the cost of 1 serving of cake by the number of guests, dollar increments really matter. Renting a cake means two purchases- the display cake and the cake you will serve. A basic rented wedding cake starts at about $100-150. If your guest list is 150 people consider that a Traditional Kitchen Cake w/Butter Cream Frosting would cost you an additional $150 - 350. Total range between 250 - 500.  (less if you purchased a cake at a wholesale club or grocery store) When you’ve found a cake decorator, you can compare the difference. 

Here’s what a real cake decorator had to say:

I make both fake and real cakes. I’ll let you all know that I spend most of my time decorating fake cakes then real. I charge $100 to rent a 4-tiered, $150 for a 5-tier and up and they can have it decorated any way that they want. The clients that I have made fake cake for either hate cake, or a popular reason is they don’t want to cut up their cake. Think about it, $500 for a real 3 tiered cake to feed a 100 people or a $100 for a fake 4 tiered cake and $25 for a sheet that will feed a 100 people. The couple still gets their dream cake and still get to serve cake.

5. You have a small guest list but want a large cake 
Here the difference is about the visual appeal of a large cake without wasting the food. The savings is still there if you compare the cost of a multiple tiered real cake versus its rented counterpart. 

6. The cake tradition is not that important to you
Some people would never consider having a fake cake at their reception. For others, the cake cutting is a photo opportunity doesn’t warrant a big investment. Still others want the visual effect of the cake without the confection. These are all valid positions to hold. Cake rental has become a viable business niche as thousands of couples spend their wedding budgets elsewhere. 

Another reason for wanting a fake cake is: Cupcakes!!
Whether you bake them yourself or buy them from a bakery, cupcakes are a huge trend that many brides want to incorporate into their reception. A rented cake again serves in this situation as more of a visual centerpiece — the couple may still want the tradition of the cake cutting. This is not necessarily a cost savings though unless the cupcakes are made at home.

A third reason couples often want to rent the cake is: ”Too Much Cake”
You don’t want to buy more cake than you need but still want a BIG cake.
If the bottom layer alone is big enough for the entire guest list you can still have the big pretty cake you want without paying for twice as much cake as you need. This option is not necessarily a rented cake but rather a (partially) “fake cake”.

The decision to rent a cake should take into consideration these factors and your personal feelings. If you find yourself agreeing with most of these concepts, then renting a wedding cake may be for you.