About a third of couples consider grocery store cakes to save on wedding costs

Weddings remain one of the most expensive life events, averaging around $36,000, according to the wedding-planning site Zola, as reported by wmra.org. The Bank of America Institute noted an 8.5% increase in wedding spending among its customers compared to the previous year.

Economic factors such as inflation and tariffs have contributed to rising costs for suits, catering, flowers, and bridal gowns, making budgeting more challenging for couples, wmra.org explained. Despite these pressures, couples are selectively choosing where to reduce expenses.

About a third of couples surveyed by Zola said they are willing to spend less on cake and dessert, a category that does not often warrant splurging, according to Emily Forrest, Zola's head of communications, as cited by wmra.org.

Some couples are opting for grocery store cakes to save money without sacrificing tradition. For example, Anna Holleran, who married in California's Bay Area, chose a wedding cake from Costco, where half sheet cakes cost about $30 each, wmra.org reported.

Similarly, Lily Alana Stewart from central Alabama ordered her wedding cake from Publix, a grocery chain in the South. Her cake was decorated with baby's breath flowers to match the venue, and guests were surprised to learn the cake's origin, wmra.org detailed.

While the average wedding cake costs about $5.50 per slice, Publix cakes are approximately $1.50 cheaper per slice, offering a classic three-tiered, white-frosted look at a lower price point, according to Zola's data shared by wmra.org.