details and pricing
Elegance, Artistry, and Flavour Combined.
At Michelle Claire, I craft wedding cakes that reflect your unique style—whether you're envisioning a sleek, modern design or a soft, romantic flutter of ruffles. On one of the most significant days of your life, your cake should be more than just dessert; it should embody your story and personalities as a couple. Whether you're planning a grand celebration or an intimate elopement, you deserve a cake that radiates elegance, romance, and individuality—becoming a beautiful focal point on your special day.
Jump to FAQ's
Jump to Pricing
YOU ARE HERE
Because you have found the one you love
design process
Step 1 - Your Wedding Cake Inquiry
If my style feels like the perfect match, I’d love to hear from you. Fill out the enquiry form and share the details of your wedding - your date, vision, and any inspiration you’ve gathered. I’ll be in touch shortly to confirm availability.
Step 2 - The Consultation Process
If I’m available for your date, we’ll book a phone or Zoom consultation to explore your ideas in more depth. This step requires a $200 non-refundable deposit, which goes toward your final cake total.
Step 3 - Design & Details
Following our chat, I’ll create a hand-drawn digital sketch of your custom design along with an estimated quote. You will receive the proposed cake design with notes on detail, flavours and sizing. If you’re happy to proceed, I’ll send through the booking agreement to lock it all in.
Step 4 - Finalizing Your Wedding Cake Design
Around 4–6 weeks out, I’ll check in to confirm your final details and ensure everything’s on track. This is also when your final payment is due.
Step 5 -Your Wedding Day
Your wedding cake has been thoughtfully crafted and will be delivered to your venue, ready to be part of your beautiful celebration. It’s been such a joy to be apart of your special day!
Pricing guide
The Art of Cake Design, Tailored to You
Included in the price of your custom wedding cake is a personal consultation, a complete design concept, a hand-drawn digital sketch, and all communication throughout the process. Flavours made from scratch using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients—each one carefully considered to offer depth, balance, and a memorable taste experience.
Every detail is thoughtfully considered to ensure that your cake is as exceptional as your wedding day.
Sizes and Pricing
Each of my wedding cakes is a bespoke creation, and the final pricing will vary depending on the size and design complexity. Below is a general price guide for a Michelle Claire cake.
1-tier
from $290+
The smallest size serves: Finger 36 / Dessert 24
2-tierS
from $460+
The smallest size serves: Finger 46 / Dessert 34
3-tiers
from $685+
The smallest size serves: Finger 76 / Dessert 45
4-tierS
from $1100+
The smallest size serves: Finger 156 / Dessert 85
additional information
Dessert Portions
1 inch x 2 inch x 3.5" inches
This option is ideal for those who prefer a larger slice of cake or when the cake is being served as the main dessert.
Wedding Finger Portions
1 inch x 1.5 inch x 3.5" inches
This option is ideal for those who prefer smaller servings at their event. It’s perfect for occasions with plenty of other desserts available, such as intimate celebrations, elopements, or smaller guest lists.
Cake Depth
Typically, my cakes range between 5” and 6” in depth, depending on the design, and are finished with a luxurious layer of chocolate ganache and premium fondant.
Request a Quote
Custom Details
While the base price includes the foundational elements of your cake—flavour, design, and finish—many couples choose to personalise their cake with custom details that reflect their unique style and story.
From handcrafted ruffles and intricate stencilling to painted accents and other artistic features, these bespoke elements can beautifully elevate your design. We’ll discuss all the possibilities during your consultation, and once all the details are confirmed—including size, flavour selections, design elements, and any custom additions—I’ll provide a personalised quote via email.
These enhancements are a lovely way to make your cake feel truly one of a kind and an unforgettable part of your celebration.
Please note: Delivery and setup are not included in the base price and will be quoted separately after your consultation.
Have Questions?
I recommend booking as early as possible, ideally once you’ve secured your venue. As a small artisan studio, I only accept a limited number of orders each wedding season, so my availability can fill up quickly, especially during peak wedding months. The sooner you get in touch, the better!
Yes! I personally handle the delivery of all my wedding cakes. Given their delicate nature and weight, wedding cakes require careful handling and expertise in packaging, transportation, and assembly. Delivery fees are calculated based on the distance from my studio in Whakatāne to your venue. A detailed quote will be provided during your consultation.
The cost of your wedding cake will depend on several factors, as each cake is uniquely designed. Prices are determined on an individual basis. For a general idea, please refer to my basic pricing guide.
The size of your wedding cake is completely up to you! It can range from a simple tall one-tier cake to a grand three-tier creation. Typically, the size is determined by the number of guests and the number of servings needed, as well as whether the cake will be served as the main dessert or in smaller portions alongside other sweets- see portion size information in my basic pricing guide.
We’ll discuss all of this in detail during your design consultation.
Absolutely! For a two-tier cake, you can choose two flavours, and for a three-tier cake, you can choose three flavours, and so on.
Yes, I offer overnight hire of a cake stand for local venue weddings for $15, with a $50 refundable bond required to cover any potential damage or loss. A stand is a beautiful way to elevate your cake and create a true centrepiece at your reception. If your venue has a suitable stand that can safely support the weight of your cake, you’re welcome to use that instead. I’m also happy to recommend trusted local suppliers who offer a range of elegant cake stands for hire.
To move forward with your consultation and secure your booking, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required. This deposit ensures your spot and allows me to begin the design process. Once your design sketch is approved, the remaining balance is due 4 weeks before your wedding date. For more details, please refer to my Design Process.
In short, no. All the flavours on my menu contain gluten, eggs, dairy, and some may contain nuts or traces of nuts and alcohol, so I cannot guarantee there won’t be cross-contamination for those with nut allergies. While I can adjust certain recipes to accommodate dietary needs, such as gluten-free cakes, please note that my cakes are made in a kitchen where these allergens are present. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that they are 100% allergen-free, especially for those with severe allergies.
My kitchen is not a certified allergy-free workspace.
No, I don’t. All of my cakes are covered in a layer of dark or white chocolate ganache, followed by a thin layer of premium fondant. This not only ensures your wedding cake remains structurally sound, even during the heat of the summer months, but also provides a perfect, smooth surface for fine art decoration.
Please note that I do not create sculptured, 3D, or drip-style birthday cakes. My focus is on crafting refined designs for weddings only- that align with my signature aesthetic.
Michelle Claire will be a fully registered kitchen with the Whakatane District Council- The new MPI exemption for home-based cake makers comes in later this year, so my registration will align with those changes ahead of Spring 2026 and will operate in accordance with New Zealand’s Food Safety and Hygiene regulations. This ensures that all of my cakes are made in a clean, safe environment, meeting the required standards for food safety and quality.
Agreement to Terms & Conditions
By accepting my quote, you are agreeing to my terms and conditions. These terms and conditions will be sent along with your quote in your consultation email.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your wedding cake order, the following charges will apply:
• For cancellations made more than 4 weeks before the event date, only the $250 non-refundable deposit will be retained.
• For cancellations made less than 4 weeks before the event date, the full balance of the quoted price will be charged.
