Wedding Cake Costs in Australia (2026)
The wedding cake is both dessert and a centrepiece of your reception. Prices range from $400 for a simple two-tier buttercream cake to $2,000+ for elaborate multi-tier designs with sugar flowers and hand-painted details.
Updated for 2026
Average cake cost in Australia
Range: A$400 – A$1,500
What you’re paying for
Two-tier buttercream
Smooth or textured finish, fresh flowers or minimal decor
Serves 50-80 guests
A$300 – A$600
Three-tier fondant
Clean fondant finish with some detailing
Serves 80-120 guests
A$500 – A$1,000
Four-tier statement cake
Sugar flowers, hand-painted details, or metallic accents
Serves 120-180 guests
A$800 – A$2,000
Dessert table
Cupcakes, macarons, donuts, or cheese wheel
Mix of 3-5 dessert types
A$300 – A$800
Cake delivery & setup
Transport and on-site assembly
A$50 – A$150
How to save on cake
Choose buttercream over fondant
Buttercream tastes better and costs 20-30% less. Rustic and semi-naked finishes are trendy and affordable.
Use fresh flowers instead of sugar flowers
Ask your florist to provide cake flowers. Sugar flowers add $100-300+ per tier.
Order a small display cake + sheet cake
A beautiful 2-tier display cake for cutting, with a matching sheet cake in the kitchen for serving, saves 30-40%.
Consider a supermarket cake hack
Some couples order plain tiered cakes from bakeries and add their own flowers and toppers for $150-250 total.
Common questions
How much cake do I need per guest?
Plan for one slice per guest. A 3-tier cake typically serves 80-120 people. If you have a dessert table too, you can go smaller on the cake.
How far in advance should I order the cake?
3-6 months for custom cakes. Popular bakers book out 6+ months for peak season weekends.
Can I skip the wedding cake?
Absolutely. Dessert tables, donut walls, cheese wheels, and even pie bars are all popular alternatives that guests love.