Wedding cakes are never cheap, however they are gorgeous, yet most cakes are quite pricy and will set you back quite a bit.  However, have no fear, I will help you find some great tips and suggestions to help cut some costs and still have a beautiful cake. 

Tip #1.  Instead of pricy icing and hours spent on the details of the decoration, try some fresh fruits, or even a few flower blossoms.  This will add a beautiful touch to the cake, without being quite as expensive.  The icing designs are quite pricy, if you are determined to have the icing realize it does add a large price to the cake.  The final choice is yours, however look around at various different pictures, it is possible to use the fruits and flowers and still have a gorgeous cake. 

Tip #2.  Overall price cuts are simple to do; one idea is to have a very small wedding cake that will be mostly for show.  Then have either sheet cakes or even cupcakes that will actually serve the guests.  If you are determined to have the overall appearance of a huge cake, then consider using Styrofoam cylinders cut into the correct shapes to make the cake look larger than it really is.  Just make sure the additional layers are iced, so they match the rest of the cake.  This is one method that is used quite often to help cut and reduce overall expenses associated with the cake. 

Tip #3.  Speaking of cakes, aren’t those so expected?  For an unexpected appearance and to show a bit of your own style, who said you cannot use pies, cupcakes, cheesecakes, or almost anything else you want?  After all, it is your special day, so you should be free to decide what you want.  There is no reason you should choose a cake just to stick with traditions.  Instead, you should feel perfectly free to make your own decisions and model your special day after your own interests and tastes. 

Tip #4.  Pick your shape carefully; select a shape that will allow more portions for a smaller size.  This is a great way to save some money, instead of having to have 4 layers; you might only need 3 layers.  This will add up to some extra money that can be saved or even spent having more fun on the honeymoon where it could be better utilized! 

Tip #5.  Despite how great it is to have some variety in the cake that variety can add several dollars per layer, which adds up rather quickly.  Try to limit the flavor choices so that you are not paying for practically another cake just in the flavor options.  Instead, select one possibly two flavors to stick to.  Preferably, what you prefer, not what your parents, or great uncle Cletus twice removed prefer. 

Simply by following these easy steps, you should be able to save money on the wedding cake and still have the gorgeous cake that you desire easily and without having to go to extremes to make it happen.