How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Cake? Real Costs in 2026

Wedding cakes aren’t just dessert-they’re a centerpiece. You’ve picked your dress, your venue, your playlist. Now you’re staring at a quote for a three-tier cake that costs more than your honeymoon flights. Is that normal? Should you even be spending this much? Let’s cut through the fluff and talk real numbers.

What’s the average cost of a wedding cake in 2026?

In New Zealand, most couples spend between $400 and $1,200 on their wedding cake. That’s the range you’ll see from 80% of bakers in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. But here’s what no one tells you: that price isn’t just for sugar and butter. It’s for design time, delivery, setup, and the skill to make something that looks like it came out of a magazine but tastes even better.

A simple two-tier buttercream cake with fresh flowers might start at $450. A fondant-covered, hand-painted cake with intricate sugar flowers? That’s where you hit $800-$1,200. Some luxury designers charge $1,500 or more for custom sculptures-think lace patterns made from edible lace, or a cake that looks like your wedding venue.

What are you actually paying for?

It’s easy to think you’re just buying cake. You’re not. You’re paying for:

• Design time-A skilled cake artist spends 10-20 hours on a single cake. That’s before baking.
• Ingredients-Premium vanilla, real butter, imported chocolate, and organic fruit don’t come cheap. A cake with fresh berries or edible gold leaf adds $100-$200.
• Delivery and setup-Cakes are fragile. Most bakers charge $50-$150 to drive, assemble, and stabilize your cake at the venue. If you’re having a beach wedding or a venue 40 minutes away, that fee goes up.
• Customization-Changing flavors, adding names, matching your color scheme, or making a cake topper? Each tweak adds cost.
• Insurance and liability-Professional bakers carry liability insurance. That’s built into their price. If your cake collapses because of bad weather or a wobbly table, they’re on the hook.

Think of it like hiring a photographer. You’re not paying for a camera-you’re paying for their eye, their timing, their experience.

How to budget smartly without sacrificing quality

You don’t need a $2,000 cake to have a memorable one. Here’s how to stretch your budget:

1. Go for fewer tiers-A two-tier cake serves 50-70 people. A three-tier serves 100-130. If you have 80 guests, you don’t need three tiers. Save $200-$400 right there.
2. Use real flowers instead of sugar ones-Sugar flowers take hours to make. Fresh flowers from your florist cost less and look just as beautiful. Just make sure they’re food-safe and non-toxic.
3. Choose a simple design-Smooth buttercream with a single ribbon or a dusting of edible glitter looks elegant and costs less than intricate piping or fondant.
4. Order a smaller cake and add sheet cakes-Many bakeries offer a display cake (for photos) and hidden sheet cakes in the back for guests. You get the look for less. A $600 display cake + $300 in sheet cakes = $900 total, but you’re feeding 150 people.
5. Book early-Wedding cake bakers book up 6-12 months in advance. If you wait until two months out, you’re stuck with last-minute pricing.

When it’s worth spending more

Some things are worth the splurge:

• Your cake is the centerpiece-If your venue is minimalist and your cake is the only decorative element, invest in it. It’ll be the most photographed dessert at your wedding.
• You have dietary needs-Gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free cakes require special ingredients and separate equipment. That adds cost, but it’s necessary.
• You’re doing a destination wedding-If you’re getting married in Queenstown or on a remote island, you’re paying for logistics. It’s not markup-it’s survival.
• You’re keeping the top tier-Many couples freeze the top tier for their first anniversary. That means the baker has to use stabilizers, extra packaging, and sometimes even a separate cake just for freezing. That’s a $100-$150 add-on.

Red flags to watch out for

Not every baker who says they do weddings is worth hiring. Watch for:

• No portfolio-If they can’t show you at least 10 real wedding cakes they’ve made, walk away.
• Prices that seem too low-A $250 cake for 100 people? That’s either a mistake or a risk. You might end up with a cake that melts, cracks, or tastes like cardboard.
• No written contract-Always get a signed quote that includes: total price, delivery time, setup fee, cancellation policy, and what happens if the cake is damaged.
• No mention of refrigeration-Wedding cakes need to be kept cool. If they don’t ask about your venue’s fridge or AC, they haven’t thought it through.

What to ask before you book

Ask these five questions before handing over a deposit:

1. “Can I see your portfolio of real wedding cakes-not just styled photos?”
2. “What’s included in the price? Delivery? Setup? Tiers? Toaster?”
3. “Do you use fresh ingredients or pre-made mixes?”
4. “What’s your backup plan if something goes wrong on the day?”
5. “Can I taste the flavors before I decide?”

Most good bakers will let you do a tasting for $30-$50. That’s a small price to avoid a cake you hate.

Real example: A $750 cake that blew everyone away

Last year, a couple in Dunedin spent $750 on their cake. It was a two-tier vanilla bean cake with raspberry filling, covered in smooth buttercream. The top had a single sugar orchid and a hand-painted gold monogram. No fondant. No sugar flowers. Just clean lines and fresh fruit on the side. They served 90 guests and had sheet cakes in the kitchen. The cake was photographed 37 times on Instagram. No one guessed it cost less than $800.

They didn’t go broke. They didn’t compromise. They just spent wisely.

Bottom line: Spend what feels right-not what you think you should

There’s no magic number. If you’re spending $2,000 and it makes you happy, go for it. If you’re spending $300 and you’re proud of it, that’s fine too. The cake doesn’t define your marriage. But it can be a sweet memory-if you choose it with intention.

Don’t let Instagram or Pinterest pressure you into a cake you can’t afford. Talk to your baker. Taste the flavors. Know what’s included. And remember: the best wedding cake is the one you’ll still smile about five years later-even if it’s just a simple vanilla sponge with fresh strawberries.