Splurge Vs. Steal: 5 Wedding Cakes for Half the Cost

$18 per slice (left)

This metallic paint on this cake is pretty, but it's also expensive, according to Miche Bacher of Mali B Sweets. The centered tiers also require more ribbons and orchids than an asymmetrical cake would, which increases the bottom line.

Gold wedding cake with pink flowers and orchids, $18 per slice (serves 200), Mali B Sweets, malibsweets.com

$10 per slice (right)

Metallic luster dust, seen here, is cheaper than metallic paint, Bacher says. As for the ribbons, an asymmetrical cake requires sashes on only one side—so flush those tiers right! Design-wise, a single (but pricey) orchid can look more modern than five, she adds.

Total savings: $1,600

Gold wedding cake with pink ribbons and a white orchid, $10 per slice (serves 200), Mali B Sweets, malibsweets.com

Tier Cakes

$14 per slice (left)

A tier separator can make a small cake look bigger, but sometimes it's not worth the cost, says Mark Joseph of Mark Joseph Cakes. Elevated cakes need to be assembled on site and require more decorations. Joseph notes that he and his team added hanging teardrops and Swarovski crystals to this cake—surefire ways to raise the cost.

White wedding cake with gold teardrops and Swarovski crystals, $14 per slice (serves 200), Mark Joseph Cakes, markjosephcakes.com

$10 per slice (right)

Even without the gilded fondant-covered tier separator and extra decorations, this cake achieves the same grand look for a fraction of the price.

Total savings: $800

White wedding cake with gold teardrops, $10 per slice (serves 200), Mark Joseph Cakes, markjosephcakes.com

*—Written by Heather Lee for *Brides

Would you splurge on your wedding cake? Which style is your fave?