Who doesn’t love a good cake? Answer: My husband; he prefers pie. Oh how I wish I was joking. I personally love a good, sugary cake covered in buttercream or marshmallow fondant. Yes, I know I’m probably the only person on earth who actually eats fondant.

Aside from photography and videography, my top three categories for splurging are cakes, catering and coordination. Your cake is a center piece for your reception, the food you feed your guests will be a memory, and an awesome coordinator can make or break your wedding schedule! Today we’re covering what to expect and things to keep in mind for your cakes, catering and coordination.

Bakery & Cake Artists

Starting prices for bakeries are usually by the slice, with dessert bars per person. A good starting point for calculations is $8+ per serving of cake or $7+ per person for dessert bar. Depending on your guest count, your average wedding with 125 guests would cost about $1100 including delivery and set up. Travel fees will vary from company to company, but consider $1.25 per mile plus a $30 per hour labor (set up, etc.) is a good bet. Be sure to book your cake artist 9-18 months in advance. I know that seems like a lot, but the skilled bakers book up quick!

Advice from Cake Artists:

“If you’re cost conscious, pick 2-4 things that mean the most to you, invest in those, and find ways to decrease costs on the others. But my biggest advice? IT IS YOUR DAY. Not your mom’s. Not your grandma’s. Not your aunt’s. Not your best friend’s. It is YOUR AND YOUR SPOUSE’S DAY – so pick, choose, and decide on whatever YOU TWO want – nothing else!”

Note from Me: There are many ways to do your cake, but I ALWAYS recommend selecting a talented professional for your cutting cake. A professional cake artist that offers delivery and set up of your cake, will go a long way in creating the wedding memories of your dreams. Be sure to check out your cake vendors as the state requires specific licensing for those who have their own storefront or bake out of their homes. 

Catering

Starting prices for catering are per person and vary widely amongst caterers. Unless you’re snagging an awesome deal, you can expect to pay a starting price of $17-20 per person. Depending on your desired tastes, you can easily exceed $100+ per person for a fancy plated dinner. Travel fees for caterers really depends as well. Some include all travel in their fees, while others have additional expenses (like the towing of a large trailer) that will need to be covered on the wedding days. The best caterers book up the fastest, with many booking 12-18 months in advance. Don’t let this discourage you though, check with your favorite caterer just in case they still have your date available. 

Advice from Catering: 

“Not everything goes as planned no matter how hard we try. Just go with the flow. Your day is made beautiful because the one you love will be there right alongside you.”

Note from me: Food is one of the few things that can make or break your reception. You don’t want to be short food, but you also don’t want bland food either. Work with a licensed caterer who can provide you both beautiful presentation and delicious food your guests will enjoy! 

Coordination and Planning

This was my biggest group willing to offer information, and the one with the most variation! King County Coordinators seem to agree that $1800-1900 is a decent starting price, with average spends between $1900-3500. The biggest variation here is what their final prices offer (such as day of coordination vs full planning with setup and teardown). Other vendors in this category are full service, and their starting prices are so customized there isn’t a set figure! Travel fees vary among vendors and the distances they have to travel. You’ll want to hire your coordinator as soon as your budget is determined, and coordinators are hired anywhere from 18 months to 4 months in advance. Depending on the exact services, 12 months is pretty ideal. 

Advice from Coordinators: 

“Figure out your budget first”

“Think about what aspect of the day is most important and focus on details surrounding that. Also, think about your guest experience.”

“Wedding planning goes in waves, don’t feel like you need to constantly or consistently planning. Take breaks, focus on life/your partner/work/family and come back to planning when you’re feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.”

A Note from Me: We all have that one relative who can coordinate and is super organized. But when that relative is your mama, DON’T make her your day of coordinator! Your family and friends should be celebrating with you, not orchestrating where the cake will be placed.