Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

So.... what do you all think about supermarket wedding cakes? At first when someone suggested it to me, I almost made a face but resisted the urge to do so to try to keep an open mind. Plus, I'm definitely a bride that wants to cut costs where I can, especially since the wedding cake often goes untouched by half of the guests anyway. I've done a bunch of research on it already and have even seen a news segment about it. I mean it's really more popular than I thought and a lot of brides have been more than satisfied with the look and taste of it from supermarkets like Whole Foods, Stop and Shop, BJ's, Publix (non-NY) and others. What do you all think? Have any of you considered this route, or know anyone who has done this and would like to share how it came out? This has definitely caught my interest the more that I look into it. Please share your thoughts. :)

And here's a link to the news segment video clip/article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/supermarket-wedding-cakes_n_1612716.html

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

I am definitely much more traditional, and like a traditional cake. I am, however a budget-conscious bride. My venue provides the cake so this doesn't affect me, but... I've heard of girls having a traditional 'cake' where just one tier--the one you cut with FH is actual cake and the rest is like styrofoam or something like that. Then in the back, a sheet cake is cut for your guests. This would save BIG money if you didn't have your cake included!

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Listen if I could afford everything else and wanted to cut I would surely take the alternative route. We get caught up in one day yes they fancy wedding cakes are pretty but I will anyone really know u got ur wedding cake from a supermarket? I highly doubt it they're going to be so busy partying. But, I loveeeeee fairway cakes they do make wedding cake u should stop by one and ask for the price. My hall includes over 30 cake designs so I won't have to worry but I would definitely work w my budget. GL

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Yes the venue we were going with at first had the cake included also but we just found another great venue for an even lower price with a fabulous ballroom that has many of the other additional features from the first venue included for absolutely free. The only drawback is the cake is not included. I'm so happy you ladies responded. I actually looked into the Faux Cakes and I found one bakery that charged the SAME PRICE for the faux/styrofoam cake as they would for a regular cake because of the 'intricate designs'. How could something still be hundreds of dollars when it's not even real??? Are you telling me fondant costs hundreds of dollars just to spread onto something you can't even eat? Needless to say... I crossed that bakery off my list so fast. I'll still keep the faux cake idea in mind just in case other bakeries do it for much less.

And omg Mrzsoontobejames.. THANK YOU! I've been trying to remember the name of that supermarket allllll day yesterday and today. I figured I'd have better luck with them since it seemed o be a much nicer supermarket. I wanted to look into another supermarket that's on Jericho Tpke in Woodbury/Syosset area that they just built but I forget the name of it. is it Fresh Food Market? I'll have to look it up.

Thanks again!

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

WOW! That was fascinating thanks for sharing!! My venue includes a cake, but if it didn't i'd consider it!!!

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

My brother got married in 2009 and got a cake from Publix ( Florida based store) it was one of the best wedding cakes I had. It was a Christmas themed wedding but here are some pics... I honestly thought they did an awesome job in capturing the theme while also having a three tier 'traditional' cake.

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Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Ithink if one of the places can make what you want and it tastes good who cares where its from. I love stop n shop cakes they are superr yummy. Idk if they do wedding cakes but im sure they do. And also like someone else mentioned if theycan only make a small one you can have a sheet cakein the back.

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

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Posted by missmarryme46

Yes the venue we were going with at first had the cake included also but we just found another great venue for an even lower price with a fabulous ballroom that has many of the other additional features from the first venue included for absolutely free. The only drawback is the cake is not included. I'm so happy you ladies responded. I actually looked into the Faux Cakes and I found one bakery that charged the SAME PRICE for the faux/styrofoam cake as they would for a regular cake because of the 'intricate designs'. How could something still be hundreds of dollars when it's not even real??? Are you telling me fondant costs hundreds of dollars just to spread onto something you can't even eat? Needless to say... I crossed that bakery off my list so fast. I'll still keep the faux cake idea in mind just in case other bakeries do it for much less.

And omg Mrzsoontobejames.. THANK YOU! I've been trying to remember the name of that supermarket allllll day yesterday and today. I figured I'd have better luck with them since it seemed o be a much nicer supermarket. I wanted to look into another supermarket that's on Jericho Tpke in Woodbury/Syosset area that they just built but I forget the name of it. is it Fresh Food Market? I'll have to look it up.

Thanks again!

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My sister and her wife got married last August and they used a faux cake with one tier being actual cake to cut into. My sister in law is a pastry chef who made their cake. If you want I could give you her info and she could let you know how much something like that may cost. It's cool in the sense that if made correctly I believe you could keep it forever and I'm sure her prices are WAY more reasonable... Let me know

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Oh also there's whole foods too now that I come to think of it here's some links:

http://annaoertli.com/2013/02/whole-foods-cakes/

http://www.ashleysbrideguide.com/the_wedding_scoop/article/whole-wedding-bridal-wed-cake-artificial-dye-fair-trade-flower-nashville

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

@MrsSparacino2B, I'm happy to share it! Glad you found it interesting also!

@Djswedding, Omg yesss! Publix has wonderful-looking wedding cakes. And they taste great too? I just wish were available here on LI. Ugh. But I'm glad their cake turned out to be a hit! Thank you so much for sharing! Hopefully I can find the same type of quality cake somewhere around here.

@MelLynn, I totally agree! I called Stop & Shop and they said I should call back after the busy Easter weekend to find out wedding cake prices. So I believe they do make them.

@Nicole0408, YES! I would love your sister-in-law's information to talk to her about that. Thank you so much.

@mrzsoontobejames, thank you for the links! Those Whole Foods cakes look great! I called them the other day and they actually have great prices for their tiered cakes. I just have to find out if they do any sort of cake tasting. They probably do though. I called Fairway also. They make wedding cakes as well but again because of this busy Easter week, they want me to call next week for prices.


Thank you for all your input ladies!

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

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Posted by missmarryme46

@MrsSparacino2B, I'm happy to share it! Glad you found it interesting also!

@Djswedding, Omg yesss! Publix has wonderful-looking wedding cakes. And they taste great too? I just wish were available here on LI. Ugh. But I'm glad their cake turned out to be a hit! Thank you so much for sharing! Hopefully I can find the same type of quality cake somewhere around here.

@MelLynn, I totally agree! I called Stop & Shop and they said I should call back after the busy Easter weekend to find out wedding cake prices. So I believe they do make them.

@Nicole0408, YES! I would love your sister-in-law's information to talk to her about that. Thank you so much.

@mrzsoontobejames, thank you for the links! Those Whole Foods cakes look great! I called them the other day and they actually have great prices for their tiered cakes. I just have to find out if they do any sort of cake tasting. They probably do though. I called Fairway also. They make wedding cakes as well but again because of this busy Easter week, they want me to call next week for prices.


Thank you for all your input ladies!

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You have FM

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

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Posted by missmarryme46

@MrsSparacino2B, I'm happy to share it! Glad you found it interesting also!

@Djswedding, Omg yesss! Publix has wonderful-looking wedding cakes. And they taste great too? I just wish were available here on LI. Ugh. But I'm glad their cake turned out to be a hit! Thank you so much for sharing! Hopefully I can find the same type of quality cake somewhere around here.

@MelLynn, I totally agree! I called Stop & Shop and they said I should call back after the busy Easter weekend to find out wedding cake prices. So I believe they do make them.

@Nicole0408, YES! I would love your sister-in-law's information to talk to her about that. Thank you so much.

@mrzsoontobejames, thank you for the links! Those Whole Foods cakes look great! I called them the other day and they actually have great prices for their tiered cakes. I just have to find out if they do any sort of cake tasting. They probably do though. I called Fairway also. They make wedding cakes as well but again because of this busy Easter week, they want me to call next week for prices.


Thank you for all your input ladies!

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So glad you can have your dream cake on a budget :) as for the cake tasting since most supermarkets cupcakes are really inexpensive you could possibly asking for 6 different flavors for under $10 just a thought. Good luck make sure you post back the prices I'm sure they're other brides who could benefit from this thread as an alternative. I would however ask the baker to see actual photos of cakes they made just so you can see at that specific location how their cakes turn out..

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

I am totally with you there! I'm soo excited about the quotes I've been getting thus far. That's a great idea to ask for a few cupcakes of different flavors. Thanks for suggesting that. I may end up doing that so my FI won't have to come with me all the time to the tastings and I can just bring him the cupcakes to taste after he gets off work. And yep, I've already asked all of them if I'd be able to see pictures of wedding cakes they've done. I definitely planned on posting the prices they've given me once I find out what all of them are which will most likely be around the end of next week. :)

And by the way, ladies... I've been quoted great prices from not only supermarkets, but from bakers from other websites as well. If anyone hasn't already checked out Thumbtack.com, I'm telling you that is a GREAT place to connect with many different vendors within the price range of your choice. I've had quotes between $100 to $175 for a 2-3 tiered cake for up to about 100 guests. Always be sure to ask if they have a website or pictures of what they've done, as well as if they do cake tastings, because some of those bakers (as well as other vendors) do not have reviews listed for them online. So just make sure to ask a lot of questions so you know exactly what you're able to get from them for the price they quote you.

If the price is still not where you would like it to be, don't be afraid to voice those concerns! Some vendors are absolutely willing to work with you as much as they can on the price so always speak up! The worst they could say is that they can't budge on the price. Hope that wasn't too long a read. Good luck to everyone!

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

I went to a wedding in Vegas 2 years ago and they had their cake from a Vegas chain supermarket. The cake was super pretty and was delicious! Go for it! Its a great idea!

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Thank you! I'm happy to hear all of these successful supermarket cake stories. I'm glad I'm not the only bride around trying to save a buck or two!

Re: Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Oookaayy.... Here we go! I have called sooooooo many different bakers and supermarket bakeries regarding wedding cake pricing. I called all 50+ Stop & Shop locations here on Long Island, including locations in Brooklyn and Queens. I could've stopped at the first 10, but curiosity about whether other places offered better prices and options drove me to keep on callin'. Here is all the info I received from these locations regarding their wedding cakes:

1) Whole Foods - Jericho, NY
- They said that the lowest for a 2-tiered cake is $85.00. There's a bit of confusion for me as to how many people that actually feed because I talked to two diff. cake decorators at diff. times and one said that it feeds 40 - 45 ppl, whereas the other said 60 ppl.
- The bottom tier of the cake is made of two 9” cakes stacked on top of one another, and the top tier is two 6” cakes stacked on top of one another. It may sound crazy but I'm sure it's done in a neat fashion.
- If you have more people than that being invited, then what they can do is either another tiered cake for the same amount or you can get a half-sheet cake for an additional $74 to feed an extra 30 - 40 ppl.
- They have made other 2-tiered cakes before so you can request to see them or see pictures of them.
- Tastings of different flavors are available
- **Keep in mind that Whole Foods uses all-natural products, so they may not have certain colors available that are usually made with artificial coloring.
- The above quoted prices are for BUTTERCREAM CAKES ONLY!

2) Stop & Shop – Carle Place, NY
- From the notes I took down from the conversation I had with them, I'm not exactly sure if they have tiered cakes. What I did write down is that they offer a full-sheet, double layer cake for 100 ppl for $74 and that tastings are available. Sorry my notes weren't clearer

3) Stop & Shop – East Meadow, NY
- Their tiers are made of double-stacked sheet cakes (the same principle as the Whole Foods tiered cakes mentioned above).
- Base price for tiered buttercream cake is $125 and goes up from there depending on flavors, decoration, etc. ```
- I'm not sure if they do fondant or not.

4) Stop & Shop – Freeport, NY
- Tiered cakes available for around $100 (for 80 – 90 ppl) or more
- The cake decorator (CD) said that it's hard for them to describe what they offer over the phone so it's best to come in to see what they have available and to get a better idea of the pricing.

5) Stop & Shop – West Babylon, NY
- Do not have tiered cakes. They only offer double layer full-sheet cake (about 17.5” x 27.25”) that serves 100 ppl for $60.99. The same cake is available from the S&S location in Maspeth, NY but may be a different price.
- You might be able to taste different cake flavors but they will have to ask the bake shop manager if it's allowed.

6) Stop & Shop – West Islip, NY
- The CD I spoke to was very nice and she admitted to me that she is not an expert on tiered wedding cakes but that she is willing to work with you and make a nice cake.
- She could make the double-layered/double-stacked tiered cakes but is not sure how much something like that would cost. Although she did say that she would estimate it to be somewhere around $100 and up since a regular cake costs $60.
- She basically could not really describe what she could create over the phone so she said it would be better to come in with a picture or some idea of how you would like it and she would try to work with you. She emphasized that she's not an expert so keep that in mind. But she really did seem very willing to help. I appreciated that.

7) Stop & Shop – West Hempstead, NY
- NO FONDANT available. Only offer buttercream or whipped icing cakes. Note: Not whipped cream!
- They have many options available for tiered cakes and have done it before. They don't have a book available but the CD I spoke to said that she does have pictures of cakes she's done outside of S&S. Cakes for 80- 90 ppl could start from anywhere b2wn $75 -$100 and up.
- She said it would be best to come in and talk about more options and get more specific prices.

8) Stop & Shop – Brooklyn, NY
- Full-sheet double-layered 2-tier cakes made of full-sheet square on the bottom tier and an 8' double-layered round cake on top.
- 5 cakes available with prices ranging from $125-$312. Call or visit the store for more info.


- BJ's in Westbury only have sheet cakes
- The Fresh Market in Woodbury can only do square cakes and cannot make round cakes. I'm guessing that means they don't do tiered square cakes either but I didn't write that down so you can call to make sure if you would like.

**Waiting to hear back from Fairway Market in Westbury, NY, and did not get pricing/information from Oyster Bay, Long Island City, South Setauket, Little Neck, Oceanside, Lake Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Farmingdale, Shirley, or Bronx Stop & Shop locations because the CD or CB (cake baker) was not available. If those locations are ones you'd be interested in considering, feel free to give them a call. I have no idea if they do wedding cakes or not.


Now please keep in mind that the prices given here may change in a year or even a couple months from now so don't be surprised if you call and their prices are a bit higher. And always alwaaays make sure that when you're connected with the Bakery/Bake Shop departments that you ask to speak with the cake baker (CB) or the cake decorator (CD) because many of the employees that just answer the phones have NO idea what the decorators/bakers offer. Some of them shut me down and said they don't make wedding cakes but then when I asked to speak with the CD, they were the ones who told me that they DO in fact offer wedding cakes. I even had some S&S bakery employees tell me that NONE of the S&S locations offered wedding cakes. C'mon now, people.

There are bakeries (non-supermarket) that I've gotten quotes for as well but I honestly think I've written more than enough. If you need to know who I spoke to at any of these locations or have any other questions, please feel free to send me a FM.

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Great list!!!!! Very informative... Hilarious that employees are unaware that their store makes wedding cakes which is exactly why brides don't know there is an alternative out there. But FAIRWAY CAKES are my absolute favorite can't wait to hear how much they charge.

Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes

Ok so after many many weeks, Fairway finally got back to me. They said that they only do Kosher (non-dairy) tiered cakes. If you want tiered cakes with dairy... you'd have to look elsewhere. They only do sheet cakes with dairy. Tiered cakes... no dairy. And that's all folks! If this has helped anyone I'd love to know! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and that planning is going smoothly!