Having a big traditional wedding cake is one of those things you may be considering cutting out of your wedding if you’re looking for ways to save or simplify your wedding. Over the past several years, we’ve seen more and more couples choose non-traditional dessert options, with many opting for a small wedding cake for themselves and a selection of other treats for their guests. Choosing to forego the traditional wedding cake opens up tons of options no matter your budget or taste.
Small wedding cakes are perfect for micro weddings and elopements because you don’t have a lot of people to feed. Depending on the size of your guest list, a petite wedding cake may be all you need! Check out these small wedding ideas: cake edition. And, if you’re keeping that delicious little cake all to yourselves, I’ve got some fun ways to surprise and delight your guests with other sweet treats.
Common Questions About Small Wedding Cakes
How Much Does a Small Wedding Cake Cost?
Wedding cake costs are driven by a lot of factors, including size, complexity of design, ingredients used (frosting in particular), and of course location and which baker you choose. According to Zola’s recent data, the average wedding cake costs around $600.
Any time you’re looking at averages, you have to remember that the average size wedding is over double that of a micro wedding, and while you can’t just cut the number in half to arrive at your small wedding cake cost, it might get you close.
How to Decorate a Small Wedding Cake
From a naked cake to a cake completely covered in elaborate frosting or florals, the only limitation you’ll be up against in decorating is the smaller surface area to play with. Otherwise, decorating a small cake allows for all the same fun options that a traditional wedding cake has and that’s what this blog is all about!
A modern twist to the more traditional fresh flower wedding cake, pressed flowers make an otherwise simple cake pop! Choose flowers that coordinate with your wedding’s color palette or choose neutrals for a more subtle statement.
Add Greenery
Photo: Aubrey Beth Photography
This is such a pretty option and one that you can really easily DIY! Use faux or real greenery to add a little pizazz.
Petite Carved Cake
If you and your partner spend time in nature, a carved small wedding cake might be a great fit for you. With this style, the baker will “carve” a design into the frosting per your desired style. Mountains or initials in a heart are popular with carved cakes.
Use Dried Flowers
You could easily elevate a simple round or sheet cake by adding dried flowers. You will want to be sure they’re food grade, or placed on a protective layer that won’t be consumed like fondant or wax paper. Since they’re really fragile, special care will be required to ensure they don’t end up broken all over the cake. An alternative would be to place them around your cake. You can learn more about using dried flowers for your wedding here.
We see couples choosing non-traditional wedding attire colors so why not the cake!? This is a great way to show off your personality and add a bit of uniqueness to your reception. Incorporating little elements of surprise into your day that will put a smile on your and your guest's faces is always a good idea!
Heart Shaped Cake
Heart shaped cakes are totally retro and I’m seeing them most commonly adorned with whimsical (and sometimes over the top!) frosting detail, known as Lambeth piping. These are perfect for couples who are looking for a single-layer cake that makes a statement!
Add Fruit as Decor
Nothing like decorating your small wedding cake with things you can eat! Fruits (and veggies) are showing up in wedding decor in a big way these days and fruit on your cake is a great way to lean into this trend!
Adorn It With a Bow
Photo: Savvi Moots Photography
Big bows are showing up in a big way this year and they’re not just for wedding dresses. Adding a gorgeous, simple large bow is such an elegant way to enhance an otherwise simple cake.
Probably one of the most popular decor options, and it’s no different for small wedding cakes. You can technically use any fresh flowers, but I would opt to work with a professional if not using edible flowers to ensure the cake is decorated in a way that keeps it safe for consumption.
Go Full Jewel with Pearls
Pearls are timeless and elegant, making them a great decor option to elevate a small wedding cake. Their soft luster complements both classic and modern wedding styles, making them perfect for everything from vintage-inspired tiered cakes to minimalist, contemporary designs. Edible pearls or pearl-like accents can create a delicate, luxurious look and blend seamlessly with any color palette.
Simple Small Wedding Cakes
Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly solution, or a minimalistic vibe a simple small wedding cake may just be the thing for you. The cool thing about choosing a simple cake is that you can still add personal touches and adornments to suit your wedding style or include a nod to your personalities or relationship, like a cool cake topper.
These days, you can get so creative with cake toppers and custom toppers are available on sites like Etsy making the process of customizing your cake super simple and affordable.
Add a Cake Meadow
Cake meadows started showing up over the past few years and I am here for it! There are a few great things about choosing a cake meadow. First, this is a totally cost-effective way to elevate a small wedding cake. You can use real flowers or greenery, faux flowers, dried flowers, and even repurpose flowers from your ceremony to create a gorgeous surround for your cake.
Use fruit, flowers, or paint and add an expected pop to your dessert table! I love this maraschino cherry-topped tiered cake with the Lambeth piping for a totally vintage look. Despite being a small cake it still packs a visual punch!
Choose a Naked Cake
A naked cake isn’t exactly what it sounds like, but close. By definition, it’s a cake with little to no frosting, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t include any decoration! It lends itself well to rustic wedding themes, adding a more natural feel to the dessert table.
Add a Message
Surprise your partner or your guests with a personal or fun and unique message! The dessert table is almost always a focal point of a reception and it's not unusual to catch guests sneaking peeks at the offerings, even before the main meal is served! I love the idea of putting a message on the cake for them to discover.
Serve Multiple Mini Cakes
You don’t have to stack them! You and your partner could each have your own unique cake — think signature drinks, but with cake! Or, keep them similar and keep the tradition of saving one for your one year anniversary.
Small Two-Tier Wedding Cakes
Two-tier wedding cakes are still considered small by wedding cake standards so don’t be shy if you still want a bit of the traditional wedding cake feel without going all the way. It’s totally possible to keep a multi-tiered wedding cake petite while giving yourself more flexibility with flavors and decor.
Stack It
Photo: Andrea Flanagan Photography | Cake: La Patisserie Francaise
Go super traditional and stack your layers—I’m not judging! Like everything in a micro wedding, a stacked petite wedding cake is just a mini version of what you’d find at a traditional wedding. Keep it minimalist for a modern look or go all out with the embellishments!
Pillar cakes are a great way to get the drama of a large wedding cake even if you’re choosing to have a small wedding cake. It’s also a great way to separate flavors, accommodate dietary restrictions, and highlight you and your partner’s cake if you’re having one. A pillar cake uses supports to add space between layers giving the cake height and more opportunities for creative decorating.
Just the two of you? I would 100% recommend investing in a cake. Small wedding cakes make excellent elopement cakes and you can have so much fun with the cake cutting (and consuming!) when it’s just the two of you.
Petite Wedding Cake
The obvious choice for an elopement wedding cake would be just to grab a petite wedding cake. Whether you choose your local grocery store, your favorite bakery, or someone who specializes in wedding cakes, there is no shortage of options.
But, it cake’s not your jam, be sure to check out the ideas below for non-cake lovers.
Cheap Small Wedding Cake Ideas
If you’re looking to save a little on this area of your wedding, consider these ideas for budget-friendly small wedding cakes. While going small does help keep the price down, there are options other than traditional bakers that can help keep the price down while still providing a tasty sweet treat for your guests.
Your Local Grocery Store
Your local grocery store is a great place to find a cheap small wedding cake. Many of them will even decorate it for you. Or, grab a sheet cake from CostCo or Sam’s, pick up a topper or some decor elements and decorate it yourself.
Bake it Yourself
The idea of this is a little less daunting when you have a small guest list. Even if you are not a baker, perhaps a friend or family member has a knack for baking and they can help. When it comes to cheap small wedding cakes, this is a great option and it allows you the flexibility to have the flexibility to create the cake you want, as opposed to being tied to what the grocery store offers.
Choose a Wedding Cake Alternative
This was the route I went despite swooning over wedding cakes throughout my entire planning process. I ended up finding a baker close to my wedding location who was able to provide cupcakes. It wa🙌s super cheap and easy, and funny enough, our friends and family loved them! Plus, we still got our feeding each other cake moment!
I’ll say that the options are truly endless when it comes to options that aren’t wedding cakes so if you have a favorite sweet treat, go for it!
Have a candy bar
Set up an ice cream bar
Serve cupcakes
Roast marshmallows and provide ingredients for s’mores
Provide an assortment of cookies
Do a hot chocolate bar
Bake rice krispie treats
Up Next: Check out the full list of alternative wedding cake ideas (coming soon!).
Hopefully our guide to small wedding cakes inspired some ideas for your wedding. Remember, it’s all about creating a day that’s a reflection of you and your partner so do what feels right!
Cheering you on ✨
Author Bio
Jennie Swenson is a former micro wedding bride, and she now supports countless couples in planning their own intimate celebrations through her blog, featuring real micro wedding stories and a curated vendor directory. Her practical advice and firsthand experience make her a go-to resource for those seeking to create memorable and meaningful micro weddings.
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