Is $500 too much for wedding cake for 40 people?

We're paying about $500 for 150 people. But it depends on your region, how elaborate your wedding is going to be, and how well-known/established your vendor is.

Why do you need cupcakes? To make the $500 minimum? How much would it be for the wedding cake and dessert for the rehearsal dinner?

We were planning on 2 tiers, essentially standard (but delicious!) flavors, buttercream (cheaper than fondant) with a cascade of falling leaves, edged with gold.

Something like this.

Or this

That's a bit much. Industry standard is about $2-3/slice. But if you're getting cupcakes a cake and another cake out of it, it's not horrible. I guess if it's what you're comfortable spending. Personally I wouldn't.

The decorations you want could probably eat up a decent chunk of the minimum since they will all have to handmade and hand placed

How about a bigger cake for the $500 since it's the bakeries minimum... and purchase little cake boxes and send off your guests with a little slice of cake! I know I'd looovee that! specialty if its that good! you'd need cake for 80 though... 40 to serve at the wedding... 40 to go in the cake boxes. but its a cute idea

I think 12.5 pp for cake, cupcakes and possibly some other dessert would be worth it if it's that good. But I would also maybe do some tastings at other bakeries before I made that decision.

Is it 500 minimum for the order or 500 for just the cake? Maybe they can do other desserts (cannolis, cookies, etc) if the cake you order falls short.

Mine was 550 for 130 people in New York .. sounds a little high

Yeah, I'm asking for an invoice for a 60 serving cake just to compare. So slices would be bigger. Or add a 3rd tier, do additional flavors.

The baker is Anita Gupta in Charlottesville, with Maliha Creations. http://www.malihacreations.com

This is 1 of her cakes.

Another 1 of her cakes. We'd have this but smaller and with leaves.

I reread your post and saw that that was the minimum and not what was changed for a 40 person cake. I think it is too much to spend for desserts, but it really is your decision. If you love the cakes and want one really bad, go for it. You can always get extra desserts and have them be take him cupcakes or give to your family.

@Miami, I'm still waiting in the price for the 40 serving wedding cake but based on our convo, it sounds like $300-350 just for that alone.

So another $150-$200 maybe for another dessert and/or cupcakes? Her cupcakes are $3 a peice.

That's about normal in my area. And it's beautiful!

Oh that's beautiful! i say go for it!

That seems a bit much. Depends on what kind of cake it is and how detailed it is. We're paying like $250 for 75 people.

Edit: Just saw the picture. That price seems right!

Personally I would not spend that much on cake.

ETA: I spent $600 on a cake for 120 guests so its not the $500 is so much, just for such a high cost per serving.

Paying $400 for 120 ppl

It is a lot of money but if you wrap a to-go box up for guests with either a slice or cupcake then you have taken care of 'favors' as well.