A growing number of couples are choosing to purchase wedding cakes from grocery stores and wholesalers to reduce overall event costs. According to the wedding-planning website Zola, the average cost of a wedding is approximately $36,000, and wedding spending among Bank of America customers rose 8.5% in May compared to the previous year. To manage these expenses, approximately one-third of couples surveyed by Zola indicated they would consider spending less on cake and dessert.
Rising costs in the wedding industry are attributed to several factors, including inflation affecting the price of catering and suits, as well as tariffs on imported flowers and bridal gowns. Emily Forrest, head of communications at Zola, stated that couples often choose to prioritize spending on venues or specific trends while seeking savings in other categories, such as traditional desserts.
Grocery chains and wholesalers offer lower price points compared to specialty bakers. While Zola reports the average wedding cake costs $5.50 per slice, a slice of cake from Publix, a Southern grocery chain, is approximately $1.50 cheaper. Costco, a grocery wholesaler, sells half sheet cakes for about $30 each, which calculates to roughly 70 cents per slice. However, specialty bakers typically provide more flavor options and higher levels of customization than grocery store bakeries.
Publix retail improvement specialist Jeff Brancato reported that wedding cake sales at stores near Birmingham, Alabama, are about 50% higher than they were before 2020. A chocolate cake with fondant serving 94 people costs $388 in that region. To attract couples, the chain offers tasting flights featuring flavors such as red velvet and carrot cake paired with various fillings.
Individual consumers will notice a difference in how their wedding budget is distributed and what they receive for their money. By opting for grocery store options, couples trade off highly customized designs and a wider variety of specialized flavors for lower per-slice costs, often saving between $1.50 and $4.80 per serving. These savings occur at the time of purchase or deposit and can change the total balance of a $36,000 wedding budget.
For the broader wedding industry, this trend signals a shift in consumer priorities that may impact independent specialty bakeries while increasing revenue for large retail chains. Grocery retailers like Publix have already noted a 50% increase in sales in specific markets since 2020. As inflation and trade policies continue to affect the prices of wedding-related goods, more couples may look to retail staples to maintain traditional customs without exceeding their financial limits. Future spending reports from financial institutions and wedding platforms will determine if this pivot remains a standard cost-saving measure for upcoming seasons.