Cake! Did someone say cake?! It’s one of our favorite things to eat…we mean to talk about. But how much do they cost?
Whether you’re a local couple or jetting over for a destination wedding you might find yourself asking how much is a wedding cake in the Philippines?
Like many purchases when planning a wedding, you’ll find that the cost of the wedding cake varies massively.
How much is a wedding cake in the Philippines?
In this article, we’re going to talk you through how the size, design, and flavor will affect the cost.
We’ll also discuss tips on how to save money on your wedding cake as well as tell you where to purchase from.
We hope that you leave this article knowing everything there is to know about the cost of wedding cakes in the Philippines.
So let’s get into it and start discussing our favorite thing about a wedding. THE CAKE!
What is a wedding cake?
A wedding cake is so much more than a dessert served at a wedding for guests to take home. A good wedding cake can create drama whilst at the same time tying in the whole theme of a wedding.
There are loads of varieties of wedding cakes from the sublime to the minimalist.
A traditional cake will usually be multi-layered and decorated with floral icing adorned with cute cake toppers representing the couple. A modern wedding cake on the other hand could be made from cheese for those who have a more savory palette.
It’s believed that the tradition of wedding cakes has been passed down since the Romans [1] They made cakes out of wheat or barley (sounds appealing doesn’t it…) any way they thought it would bring the bride luck and fertility to break the cake over her head.
Nowadays it’s a great photo opportunity for everyone at the wedding to snap the happy couple. It’s also a tasty reminder of the day whether your guests enjoy it at the wedding or later at home the week after.
How much does the average wedding cake cost in Ph?
Like anywhere else in the world the cost of a wedding cake in the Philippines will be influenced by one major factor, the number of guests you invite to your big day.
The reason for this is that the more guests you have the bigger your cake will need to be.
We’ve found that the cost of a wedding cake increases gradually the more layers you have.
The prices seem to range between ₱3,000 to ₱25,000. However, other factors affect the price such as whether it’s hand-made, the complexity of your design, and the flavors you choose.
All these elements play a part in how much your cake will cost but let’s first take a look at how the number of cake layers affects the price.
Where prices are mentioned we’re using the example of a very basic wedding cake. As we’ve already said your unique cake will likely incur further costs.
Single layer wedding cake prices
This is the smallest type of wedding cake you can get. Apart from a cupcake of course. You’ll typically achieve around 25 portions from a single layer cake so it’s ideal for small gatherings. We found the cost of these to vary between ₱3,000 and ₱5,000.
Two tier wedding cake prices
If you’re having 50 guests for your wedding a two tier cake may be the best option. Prices for this size of cake usually cost somewhere between ₱7,000 and ₱12,000
Three layer wedding cake prices
It’s a common design trick that things look best in groups of threes and this holds true for wedding cakes. This size of cake will easily serve 75 guests and cost you around ₱15,000 to ₱20,000
How much wedding cake is needed for 100 guests or more?
For larger weddings with 100 guests or more you may consider increasing your cake size even further. This will inevitably increase the price you end up paying but means everyone has a tasty snack.
Equally, at lots of weddings we’ve photographed the cake is exclusively reserved for family members, the wedding party, and the couple getting married.
That doesn’t stop them from having a massive cake though.
They have the designer add artificial layers so that it looks much more elaborate than it actually is without the need to feed all the guests.
Equally though if you’re having 100 guests you could just opt for that one extra layer of real cake making it a four layered extravaganza. This will set you back around ₱25,000 or more so it’s something that needs heavy consideration from your budget.
If you’re serving the cake at your wedding you realistically want to offer at least one slice to each guest. Don’t forget about your photographers and videographers either who have probably been salivating about eating some of your cake all day.
Who normally pays for the wedding cake?
In the past and in the western world it’s been the tradition for the father of the bride to foot the bill for almost all the wedding.
If you’re local to the Philippines however you’ll likely know that this role is flipped and it’s the groom’s family that pays for the wedding. It’s a bit of an outdated way of doing things but the belief is that it shows that the groom can provide for his family.
In recent times it’s been the case that both sets of parents contribute financially towards the wedding. This rule obviously changes depending on the age of the couple getting married, whether they’re financially stable, and various other factors.
If they can afford it a couple may choose to purchase the cake themselves. Equally, it’s not uncommon for the wedding cake to come out of the overall fund for the wedding. This is a pool of money from the couple themselves, the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents.
At the same time a friend may take it upon themselves to offer to make your wedding cake. Or they may purchase one as a gift instead of an item from your registry.
Related Article: When Do Parents Stop Paying for Wedding Day
What determines the cost of a wedding cake?
A wedding cake can either be kept very simple or have lots of intricate details. For this reason there are lots of factors at play that will have an impact on the overall cost.
Each couple is unique so you’ll have to determine what is important to you. At the end of the day you want to find the perfect wedding cake but you also need to be mindful of your budget.
Below are just some of the factors that will determine the overall cost of your wedding cake.
Handmade
Like anything that is handmade it comes with a premium. However a wedding is a once in a lifetime experience so it’s the perfect time to splurge.
You don’t want a shop bought mass produced wedding cake sitting center stage at your wedding. Instead a handmade one will be made bespoke to you as a couple.
As we’ve said this will inevitably amp up the costs but we think it’s worth it.
Number of layers and size
As we touched on earlier, providing enough cake for all your guests is a vital consideration.
The more layers you have will inevitably impact how much you pay for your wedding cake. A bigger cake will require more ingredients and time to construct.
That being said, it also works the other way as well. If you’re just having a small wedding you can get away with a single layer cake that is much more affordable.
Complexity of design
If you’re choosing a design with lots of ornate flowers crafted out of icing this will most likely cost more than one coated in shear frosting.
Creating a bespoke design will mean the cake maker has to spend much longer piecing together your cake than a more simple design.
Flavors and fillings
If you’ve chosen a cake with fresh fruit or a filling that is likely to go stale quickly it may need to be constructed on your wedding day. This is especially true in a warm climate such as the Philippines.
This bespoke service will inevitably affect how much you pay for your wedding cake.
The alternative is of course to have a cake that has flavors and fillings with a longer shelf life when exposed to the elements. However, this might not be the cake you’ve always dreamed of having at your wedding.
The time of year
When you choose to get married could impact the price you pay for your wedding cake. A baker may charge a premium for your wedding cake if your wedding takes place in peak season.
On the flip side you might be able to negotiate a reduced rate when they’re less busy. It can be all about timing.
That being said, we don’t believe that the savings on your wedding cake should dictate when you get married.
However, the same theory holds true for most suppliers so it could be something to consider if you’re on a budget.
Accessories such as cake toppers
Adding additional elements to the design of your cake will have an impact on cost. Items such as cake toppers, ribbons and plinths will all add up.
You can choose to purchase these from your cake maker or source them yourself to add the final touches to the design.
Delivery to your venue and set up
As we’ve previously mentioned, setting up might be a necessity if your wedding cake has fresh ingredients.
However, delivery in general can also affect the overall costs of your cake. Most wedding’s we photographed over the years we would always see the cake supplier delivering the cake on the day of the wedding.
The further you live from the cake supplier or the greater the distance they have to travel to your venue the more they’re likely to charge.
How do you get a wedding cake on a budget? Tips for saving money
So what do you do if you’re after a wedding cake in the Philippines but you’re on a budget?
We think there are some ways that you can save money without necessarily compromising too much on the aesthetic.
Here are some of our suggestions:
The cupcake option
This is a budget saving hack that we can really get behind. Instead of one big cake you have lots of little cakes. What’s not to love!
This means each guest gets their very own dessert.
This can save the hassle and expense of having the cake divided up into portions for your guests.
Cupcakes also allow you to get creative with the flavorings and topping vs a traditional cake of one flavor. This added variety will be something your guests really appreciate.
Having cupcakes doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the aesthetic either. Maybe you choose to stack them in a tower shape resembling a traditional wedding cake. Or use them as wedding favors at the guests table for them to enjoy at their leisure.
Fake it
Another popular hack that we see a lot at weddings is to have artificial cake layers.
These layers of icing coated styrofoam are obviously not for eating but add to the overall look of the cake.
They can take a single layered edible cake and make it into a 10 layer cake if that’s what you want. We’ve seen cakes that tower over a bride and groom, this couple maybe took it a bit too far but you get the idea.
Your cake will still look great in photos and no one at your wedding will be any the wiser.
That is until they ask to have a slice of your cake of course!
Equally, if you’re not really fussed by cake but still want the photo opportunity you could just fake the whole thing. The downside to this is that no one gets to eat cake. And that doesn’t sound too good!
Size matters
One of the simplest ways to save money is by having a small wedding cake.
A compromise you may have to make is to not serve it to all your guests. You could however choose that the couple, their parents and anyone in the wedding party gets a slice.
You could also consider having a small nicely decorated cake for the photos but serve your guests with a shop bought one.
They’ll probably never know but might wonder how such a small cake has fed 200 of your guests!
Say no to cake toppers
Any accessories that you choose from your cake supplier will increase your costs. In our opinion cake toppers aren’t really necessary and can often cheapen the appearance of an otherwise lovely looking cake.
That being said, that is just our opinion. If you’re trying to save a little bit of money but still want cake toppers try looking for used ones on the internet.
Serve the cake as the dessert
The wedding breakfast can be one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding depending on how many guests you invite.
However, one way to keep the costs down is to serve the wedding cake as the dessert.
This provides everyone with a tasty treat to end their meal instead of the wedding cake being an additional snack to the main dessert.
Where to buy your wedding cake in the Philippines
There are lots of options on where to purchase your wedding cake in the Philippines. From chains that deliver thousands of cakes a year to bespoke retailers that handle only a select few.
Some will offer full customization whereas others will have a few go to designs to choose from.
When deciding where to buy you cake in the Philippines we think you should also think about weddings you’ve been a guest at. Was there a particular design you liked? or a cake that tasted out of this world?
Recommendations are a powerful tool as you’ll be able to gauge whether your friend or relative had a positive experience with a particular supplier.
A perfect option to keep your guests well fed if you’re on a budget is Red Ribbon[2]. For example, you could get a Caramel Crunch Cake for just ₱862.00. Or you could opt for one of their dedication cakes with customizable text.
Their Creamy Caramel Dedication Cake 8×12 is just ₱978.00. As we suggested in the article you can still have a highly stylish wedding cake for the photos and then use a company like Red Ribbon to serve the rest of your guests.
On the other hand if you want your cake to be truly unique you could choose someone like Judy Uson, The Cake Artist [3]. Her cake designs look exceptional and she also delivers outside of Metro Manila, a great option no matter where you’re getting married in the Philippines.
Esquire Mag [4] has a great list of cake suppliers in the Philippines all with delightful images to get your teeth into.
What would we advise?>
Our advice would be to choose a cake supplier that appeals to your sensibilities the most. Read their reviews and if you can visit them in person to sample their offerings. This will be the best way to find the best supplier for you and your wedding.
If you can afford it we’d also add that choosing a small business rather than a chain is the best option.
Whilst a chain might make your wedding cake more affordable, a wedding day is a chance to splurge. A cake supplied by a chain will never look as good as one that is handmade and given the care and attention it needs.
Conclusion
We’re sure we’re all in agreement that a good wedding cake should be a visual spectacle that also tastes amazing. However, we also understand that they can be pricey and not everyone can justify the expense.
Hopefully by reading this article you will have some idea about how much a wedding cake in the Philippines is likely to cost. We hope that you can appreciate the time and effort that goes into making a bespoke design and how that affects the price.
As we’ve mentioned throughout this article the amount you pay will largely be determined by three main factors. The number of guests you aim to feed, how bespoke your design is and whether or not you choose to incorporate fake layers into your cake.
We hope that you’ve taken on board some of our suggestions of ways to save money on your wedding cake.
However, we do believe that the wedding cake can tie together the whole theme of your wedding and is a worthwhile expense. We think you should spend a little more to get exactly what you want.
Don’t forget to offer a piece to your wedding photographers! And enjoy your wedding in the Philippines!
[1] – https://thenorthwestweddingshow.co.uk/whats-the-meaning-behind-the-wedding-cake/.
[2] – https://www.redribbon.ph/
[3] – www.thecakeartist.ph
[4] – https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/what-she-wants/best-wedding-cakes-in-the-philippines
