The cake table is a mainstay for the traditional wedding celebration. As guests come into the reception area, they all take a peek at your wedding cake in anticipation of eating it later. But start researching wedding cake prices, and you’ll be shocked to see that they range from $2 to $6 per person and up.

Why do wedding cakes cost so much? Because the pans to bake them in are expensive, as is the cost of the top-of-the-line butter, eggs, whipping cream (be sure to ask your baker if he or she uses real butter and cream - this is not the place to skimp). Also, wedding cakes require expert decorators and bakers to design and execute a confection that tastes as good as it looks. There is a wide range of qualities in bakeries. It’s a good idea to get referrals and seek out quotes, similar to the process of finding the right caterer. Be sure to taste test several samples before you sign up with a baker.

The wedding cake consists of four main parts:

1.The cake itself is available in many varieties - white, devil’s food, banana, hazelnut, carrot, pound cake, and so on. Usually each cake is cut into several layers and filled with icing or a filling.

2.The icing - buttercream is the most traditional and comes in a wide range of flavors, from chocolate and lemon to liquor-flavored (e.g., cherry kirsch or Grand Marnier). Other frostings include fondant, cream cheese, or whipped cream.

3.The filling can be any of the above frostings, custard (vanilla, chocolate, lemon curd), preserves (apricot, orange, berry), and/or fresh fruit.

4.Decorations can be simple or elaborate: piped borders and flowers, fresh flowers, multiple tiers, figurines for the top of the cake, and cake ornaments, such as a bell, a heart, doves, or a gazebo.