Everything You Need to Know About Ordering a Wedding Cake From Sam's Club

Weddings can be expensive—and your cake is no exception. While the average wedding cake costs $500, some couples can spend over $1,200 on the dessert, depending on the size, level of customization, and the bakery. However, there are also budget-friendly alternatives to consider. Some membership-only grocery stores, such as Sam’s Club, offer the option to purchase a customizable wedding cake. Here’s everything you need to know about a Sam’s Club wedding cake. 

Ordering a wedding cake from Sam’s Club can potentially save you hundreds on your celebration dessert. But in addition to being affordable, it’s also convenient. This membership-only store—with almost 600 locations across the country—offers curbside pick-up—and, in some cases, delivery, making retrieving your dessert on the day of or before your nuptials that much easier. Below, we explain what to consider before ordering a Sam’s Club wedding cake. 

Do You Need to Be a Member of Sam’s Club to Order a Wedding Cake?

Yes. In order to order a wedding cake from Sam’s Club, you’ll have to be a member of the warehouse chain. However, with the most basic “Club” membership only costing $50/year, becoming a Sam’s Club cardholder may be worth it to shave a few hundred dollars off of the cost of your wedding cake. Plus, this membership tier also includes free curbside pick-up. 

However, if you want a few more add-ons, such as free delivery, consider upgrading your membership. The “Plus” tier, which costs $110/year, offers even more benefits, including a complimentary membership card for another member of your household.  If you’re becoming a cardholder to score an affordable cake, upgrading to the second tier may be worth it. Instead of sending someone out to pick up the cake on your big day, you’ll be able to have a Sam’s Club employee deliver it to your venue. And if you don’t want to purchase a membership—but are still interested in a Sam’s Club wedding cake, consider having a friend or a family member who’s a cardholder place the order for you.

What Cake Sizes Does Sam’s Club Offer?

While you won’t be able to order a five-tiered cake from Sam’s Club, you can still purchase a customized cake to display (and eat!) at your reception. For example, a two-tiered wedding cake that serves 58 people costs $58, making it just a dollar per slice. If you’re hosting an intimate celebration, a double-layered ten-inch round cake that feeds 12 to 16 people costs approximately $17. (Note that prices may vary slightly depending on location.) 

And there’s no reason why you can’t have two wedding cakes. If you want to have a decorative small dessert for your cake-cutting moment—but are concerned about its ability to feed all of your guests—consider ordering a few additional sheet cakes to cut and serve. A Sam’s Club sheet cake, which serves between 72 to 96 people, typically costs around $40. If you’re hosting a smaller affair, you can also opt to order a half sheet cake. 

Wedding Cake Flavors and Designs at Sam’s Club

The options for flavors and designs at Sam’s Club are fairly limited, which means a wedding cake from the retailer may only be a good option if you want a simple dessert. If you’re looking for a pre-set sophisticated design, consider ordering Sam’s Club’s “Shimmering Elegance” two-tiered cake, which includes white piping, edible roses, and silver accents. With this cake, you have the option to select a white or chocolate base. Other pre-designed cakes include a two-tiered dessert with cascading white and red frosted roses, a ruffled cake accented with edible succulents, and a sunflower-inspired summer treat. 

However, if none of the available options appeal to you—or match your wedding’s aesthetic, you can also opt for a custom one- or two-tiered cake. Yet your choices will still be more limited than they would be with a more traditional bakery. Your decisions include selecting a white or chocolate base, opting for roses or balloons as decorative elements, and adding white or chocolate buttercream. You can also request for a custom message to be written on top of the dessert. 

How to Order a Wedding Cake From Sam’s Club

To order a cake from Sam’s Club, simply head to the retailer’s website. Once on the site, you’ll be able to customize your dessert, choose your preferred flavors, and add any decorative elements. Next-day pick-up is often available, but you can also book a specific date and time in the near future. Consider confirming the order a couple of days in advance to make sure nothing goes awry. 

How Does Sam’s Club Compare to Other Membership-Only Stores?

Sam’s Club isn’t the only membership-based retailer offering wedding cakes. You can also order an affordable celebratory dessert from Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Both of these stores offer similar options to Sam’s Club. At Costco, a 10-inch round cake for 16 people typically costs $16—while a half sheet cake that feeds 48 guests tends to be around $25. However, unlike Sam’s Club, you’ll need to order a cake from Costco in person. If you envision your wedding cake having multiple tiers, you’ll have to stick with Sam’s Club, as Costco doesn’t offer that as an option. Design and flavor options are also very limited at Costco. When it comes to the latter, the retailer only offers two: white cake with vanilla cheesecake filling and chocolate with chocolate cheesecake filling.