Hi everyone,,,,,,,,Being new to cake decorating, I have a dumb question...but here goes anyway.
Years ago, (in the days of fruitcake wedding cakes), brides were able to rent "artificial" wedding cakes to display at their weddings.
? Does anyone know if this is still done today? I've thought of offering rental cakes, so brides who don't have large budgets to work with can still have unique cakes for their weddings.
Does anyone think this is feasable? & if so, what price range would be appropriate?
Thanks, I would appreciate anyone's feedback
Bunny

I've never heard of that around here but it sounds like a wonderful idea.

When I got married I had an 8-tiered cake. The bottom 1 or 2 layers were artificial, so I was still able to get the look I wanted w/o the extra price (or leftover cake)...I imagine you could stretch the idea to offer an entire artificial cake! I was charged per tier (they started at $20 for 6" & increased in $5 incriments for each tier, ending at $65 for 24"). I hope I wasn't too confusing & actually helped you out!

thanks enchenski,,,that sounds like a possibility too...adding artificial tiers to real ones. Thanks for the idea

This is something that is mentioned in lots of bridal magazines. They're called dummy cakes. Couples can reant a dummy for the prettyness, and have the baker make sheet cakes to be cut in the back and brought out on plates!

I've seen them on websites and in bridal magazines. Also the artificial tiers in a cake to make it larger.

Deb

So...do the servers take the dummy cake into the back so the guest think they are being served that cake or do they leave it out there and not bother trying to *hide* the fake?

Interesting concept!!!

So...do the servers take the dummy cake into the back so the guest think they are being served that cake or do they leave it out there and not bother trying to *hide* the fake?

Interesting concept!!!

On the cathedral cake that I did in my photos, the bottom 4 round cakes are all dummies .. the cake was way too much for the number this bride and groom had for the wedding .. she still wanted this cake so we did the dummies instead of real cake..

I think the idea of cake rental is a good one .. call it "rent a dummy"

This is so interesting. What are the dummy cakes made out of? How do you charge for the dummies? Does anyone know a website where I can find out the specifics? Thanks!

I don't know a specific web-site. Just do a search - there are plenty out there.
Some things to keep in mind when pricing a dummy cake is the cost of the "ingredients" and the fact that you will still have to decorate the dummys. It may actually cost more to make some dummy cakes than an actual cake unless they go with something that you have on hand.

Debbie

You can order the dummy forms form countrykitchensa.com they have great prices and ship quick.

Just saw this. In Ottawa, bakeries do rent them, usually for a $50-$75 dollar fee, unless there are expensive stands and such with them. They are generally left out throughout the reception.
A lot of folks are going with some dummy layers with real cakes, for the look, but not all the cake.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I live in the Midwest and in my area "FAKE" cakes go for 30% off of what a real cake of eqivalent servings would go for. So if you make a "FAKE" cake of 6",10", 14" you multipy what the servings would be on a real cake of that size times your price per serving and then take off 30% and you have the price for your "FAKE" cake.

luraleigh[/b]

Thanks everyone for all the imput. Sounds like there could be a market for dummy cakes in some areas. Will have to advertise locally & see how many responses I get..........wish me luck!

The cost of the dummy is actually more than cake would cost unless using a scratch cake with fancy fillings And the time is the same So to make any profit the bride would need to choose from any display cakes you already had. If made just for her You are out money but invest the same time and cost of materials

A local store does offer this but they have around 50 display cakes in their shop the brides choose fromThey do not make it especially for the bride

You could frost a dummy cake in royal icing or fondant and leave plain then fresh flowers could be placed for each bride

Haha that is true as the precut dummies are not cheap. Some folks are actually cutting their own from builder's styrofoam insulation, which comes in various thickness and is sold in 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. It is messy to cut, but I have used it for other things and find that an electric knife works well. If you can, do it outside as styrofoam is very staticy and makes a big mess.
Some folks are using caulking instead of icing or even plaster mixtures to decorate these dummy cakes. There are a lot of products around. Normally, you are right, they only have specific designs that are rented out.
One of our local bakeries has all of its designs in dummy form, so you can rent the dummy or get the real thing.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes