How Much Do Wedding Cakes Cost? A Peterborough Cake Maker Explains
- Maddy Shine
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 17
If you’ve ever Googled “how much do wedding cakes cost?” you’ve probably realised the answer isn’t simple. Every couple, every venue, and every cake design is different and that’s what makes it personal.
I’m Hajni, a Peterborough cake maker specialising in semi-naked and buttercream wedding cakes that are simple but pretty, rustic and relaxed.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through what really affects the price of your wedding cake, share a few real examples, and offer tips on how to budget without compromising on quality or style.
So… how much do wedding cakes actually cost?
The question I get most often is: “We need a cake that serves X number of guests — how much would that be?”
It’s a helpful starting point, but there are a few extra details I need before I can give an accurate quote. Things like:
The number of tiers
The finish (semi-naked, buttercream, fondant, etc.)
Decorations — are they provided by you or sourced by me?
Delivery or collection
The venue location (for delivery costs)
One flavour or different flavours for each tier
Once I have all these details, I can give a clear, personalised quote.
Semi-Naked vs. Fondant: What’s the Difference in Cost?
Semi-naked and buttercream cakes are generally less expensive than fully iced fondant cakes and not because they’re any less beautiful.
There are fewer materials involved, no sugarpaste layer to buy, and the process is quicker since there’s no need to roll, dust and cover.
Good-quality sugarpaste (which you absolutely need for a flawless finish) is surprisingly pricey, so skipping it helps keep costs lower.
That said, intricate buttercream designs such as the beautiful vintage-style piping that’s very on-trend right now, can take just as much time as simpler fondant cakes.
So, it’s always worth chatting through your ideas to see what’s realistic for your budget.
Do Some Flavours Cost More Than Others?
Nope, all my flavours cost the same. You’re free to choose what you love without worrying about price differences.
I do offer a few special options like Coconut, Passionfruit & Lime or Black Forest, but most couples prefer classic, crowd-pleasing flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, or lemon.
When to Book and How Payment Works
You honestly can’t enquire too early when it comes to wedding cakes. As a small business, I can only take on a limited number of bookings, and popular dates fill up quickly.
Once we’ve discussed your design and you’re happy with the quote:
A booking fee of around 30% secures your date (deducted from the final balance).
The final payment is due one month before your wedding.
For last-minute orders (within 4 weeks), full payment is required upfront.
If you already know you’d like me to make your cake but don’t have the details finalised yet, you can also reserve your date with a smaller deposit and finalise the design later as many of my couples do this to avoid missing out on their preferred date.
How to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake
A simple semi-naked or buttercream design is naturally more affordable than an intricately decorated fondant cake.
You can also:
Use fewer flowers or choose seasonal blooms from your florist.
Add fresh fruit or macarons for decoration instead of sugar flowers.
Provide your own toppers or decorations, I’m happy to work with these.
Sometimes couples even choose to collect smaller cakes themselves (for one- or two-tier designs), which can help reduce delivery costs too.
Do You Have a Minimum Order?
No minimum order here! I often work on several cakes at once, although I never bake allergen-free and non-allergen cakes together for safety reasons.
Even so, I always recommend ordering from a professional baker for your wedding day. I’ve heard the “my auntie can do it” stories so let’s just say, you won’t see many of those cakes in wedding albums!
Real Examples: Peterborough Wedding Cakes and Prices
Here are a few recent examples to give you an idea of what different styles cost:
Cake Design | Description | Price |
Semi-naked (8” & 6”) | Decoration provided by couple | £210 |
Coloured buttercream with painted edges & sugar flowers (10”, 8” & 6”) | Acrylic topper provided by couple | £485 |
Buttercream with simple piping & fresh raspberries (12” & 9”) | Elegant, minimal design | £330 |
Grooved buttercream sides (10” & 7”) | Flowers provided by florist | £270 |
These examples show how much flexibility you have, even a simple design can look (and taste) incredible.
Delivery and Setup Costs
Delivery isn’t included in the cake price since it depends on your venue’s location.
I’m based in Peterborough but cover a wide area across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland from local venues just a mile away to places as far as Cambridge, around 50 miles away.
Setup is always included in delivery so your cake looks perfect on arrival.
Budget Tips: Getting the Most From Your Cake Budget
When planning your cake budget, think about what matters most:
Would you prefer more tiers or more decoration?
Could a two-tier cake serve your guest count instead of three?
Do you want different flavours or one consistent favourite?
Are you happy with standard portion sizes or smaller servings?
And a quick tip that can save stress: always make sure your cake stand is sturdy.
I’ve refused to place cakes on unstable stands before! If your venue doesn’t have one, I recommend Prop Options for high-quality stands, or a wood slice stand for a rustic look as they’re affordable and easy to find in craft shops.
Cake stands for wedding cakes are like tyres for your car, don’t compromise on them!
Final Thoughts: A Simple But Special Cake
Choose the one thing you don’t want to compromise on whether it’s flavour, decoration, or size and let’s build your design around that.
Allow plenty of time to plan, explore options, and enjoy the process. The earlier you start, the easier it is to balance budget and beauty.
Hajni x
