Wedding cakes are not just dessert. They are a time-intensive, high-risk, high-expectation product.
If you price only by ingredients, you will underquote every time. This guide shows a simple, repeatable pricing method that keeps you profitable.
Market Reality (US)
WeddingWire reports:
- Average U.S. wedding cake cost: around $500
- Most couples spend: $300-$700
- Starting price per slice: about $4 (buttercream) to $5 (fondant)
Source: WeddingWire Wedding Cake Cost Guide
The Pricing Formula That Actually Works
Price = Ingredients + Labor + Overhead + Delivery/Setup + ProfitFor wedding cakes, labor is usually the largest cost. Design time, stacking, and on-site setup are not optional. They are the job.
Step 1: Build Your Base Cost Per Slice
Create a simple base model that you reuse:
- Ingredients per slice (cake + filling + frosting)
- Box/board/dowels per slice
- Labor minutes per slice
Example (illustrative):
- Ingredients: $1.40
- Packaging/supports: $0.30
- Labor (6 minutes @ $24/hr): $2.40
Base cost per slice: $4.10
Step 2: Apply a Design Multiplier
Wedding cakes are priced by complexity. Use a clear multiplier so quotes stay consistent:
| Design level | Multiplier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic buttercream | 1.0× | Smooth finish, simple flowers |
| Semi-custom | 1.25× | Texture, metallics, light florals |
| Full custom | 1.5-2.0× | Sugar flowers, hand painting, sculpting |
Step 3: Separate Delivery + Setup Fees
Do not bury travel and setup inside per-slice pricing. Quote them as line items:
- Delivery fee (distance-based)
- On-site setup fee (time-based)
- Venue access constraints (stairs, elevators, timing windows)
This protects margin and keeps your cake pricing clean.
Quick Quote Example (100 Slices)
- Base cost per slice: $4.10
- Design multiplier: 1.4×
Price per slice = $4.10 × 1.4 = $5.74
Cake price = 100 × $5.74 = $574
Delivery/setup = $125
Total quote = $699That total lands inside the market range while paying you for the real work.
Common Pricing Mistakes
- Only charging for ingredients
- Ignoring labor on prep and design work
- Free delivery and setup
- Unpriced revisions and tastings
Every one of these turns a premium cake into a low-margin job.
Do This Now
- Build a base cost per slice (ingredients + packaging + labor)
- Create a design multiplier chart (classic, semi-custom, full custom)
- Quote delivery and setup as separate line items (not buried in per-slice price)
- Test your pricing against the WeddingWire market range ($4-$5 per slice baseline)
- Track actual labor hours on your last 3 cakes to refine your labor cost
Related Guides
- Home Baking Pricing Guide
- US Cupcake Bakery Cost Guide
- Bakery Cost Calculator Guide
- Catering Pricing Guide
Want wedding cake quotes that are fast and consistent? KitchenCost keeps recipe costs updated so you can price with confidence.