Wedding pics from 9/10/22🌸🫶🥰

Since so many of you asked about our Costco wedding cake, I wanted to dive a little deeper into how we made it work for our big day! It was truly one of our best budget decisions, and honestly, no one could tell it wasn't from a fancy bakery. First off, ordering a Costco cake for your wedding is surprisingly simple. You typically order their standard sheet or round cakes, which come in a few delicious flavors like white, chocolate, and their famous vanilla mousse. We went with the classic white frosting, as described in one of my photos, because it's so versatile for decoration. What truly elevated ours was the simple addition of our own cake topper – a sweet bride and groom figurine with a delicate white cross, which blended perfectly with our Catholic church ceremony theme. Costco doesn't usually do custom designs like multiple tiers or intricate piping specifically for weddings, but that's where your creativity comes in! Here are my top tips for transforming a Costco cake into a wedding masterpiece: Choose Wisely: Opt for their larger sheet cakes or round cakes, depending on your guest count. Their half-sheet cakes serve a good number of people and are incredibly affordable. Topper Power: A beautiful cake topper can make all the difference. As you can see in our pictures, our cross topper and figurines immediately signaled it was a wedding cake. You can find stunning ones on Etsy or Amazon that fit any theme. Fresh Flowers: We picked up some extra blooms from Costco's floral department – they have amazing prices! A few strategically placed fresh roses or greenery around the base and on top can instantly make it look professionally decorated. Just make sure the flowers are non-toxic if they'll be touching the cake. Ribbon & Stand: A simple satin ribbon around the base of each tier (if you stack them – more on that later) or just the main cake, along with an elegant cake stand, can completely change its appearance. DIY Stacking (with Caution!): If you want a tiered look, you can buy multiple Costco cakes of different sizes. However, do not stack them directly without proper support! You'll need cake boards and dowels for stability, just like a professional baker would use. This is a bit more advanced, so if you're not comfortable, consider having a single display cake and sheet cakes for serving. "Cross Cake" Concept: While Costco doesn't make cakes shaped like a cross, you can easily achieve the "cross cake" feel by adding a cross-themed topper or even using edible stencils to create a cross design on the frosting. Our simple white cross topper was subtle but meaningful. Beyond the cake, remember those Costco flowers? They were a lifesaver! We got beautiful bouquets and extra stems for decorating our reception and church. Don't underestimate their floral department for quality and price. And for anyone else with that 'expensive dress regret' like me, I can't stress enough how many gorgeous, high-quality wedding dresses you can find online now. Websites like Azazie, Lulus, or even browsing pre-owned sites can save you thousands. Research reviews and sizing guides thoroughly. Our wedding at our home Catholic Church was incredibly special, and keeping the budget in check allowed us to focus on what truly mattered. You can absolutely have a beautiful, memorable wedding without breaking the bank, and trusted places like Costco are fantastic resources for making that happen!