Let’s face it, weddings are 50% party and 50% food. Yeah, we said it! Your guests are there to have a good time and eat a great meal, and your wedding cake will be the centerpiece of this. Whether you’re going for a casual, backyard wedding chic or avant garde editorial, a wedding cake represents the unity of both you and your partner. 

Here’s our guide to creating the perfect wedding cake in Des Moines, for all budgets.

Written by: Madison Stano, Des Moines Girl Contributor / Photo by Nicolas Armoa on Unsplash

Des Moines Bakeries & Cake Shops

Crème

heart shaped, pink wedding cake

Photo courtesy of Anna Mantini Photo

A host to Des Moines Girl events in the past, present, and likely future, Crème does hold a special place in our hearts…and they have the cakes to show for it! Located on Ingersoll, is an Asian-inspired bakery offering not only delicious cakes but sweet/savory desserts. For custom cakes, they can do rounds, squares, and hearts…with unique flavor options you may not find anywhere else (think Ube, London Fog, Apple Cider, and more!)

Check them out.

Doré Bakery

bride cutting a two tiered cake with cherries on it

Bespoke desserts, that’s what Doré Bakery is all about. What does this mean? They specialize in baked goods with a handcrafted, European-style elegance. Every pastry and cake is created with the highest attention to detail. Their baked goods are only available to the public in Des Moines via Trellis Cafe or The Purveyor. Brides who are looking for elegance, class, and sophistication in their wedding cakes…Doré might just be your perfect match.

Inquire about your wedding cake.

The Bake Shoppe

couple on parking garage sit, pose with wedding cake

Photo courtesy of Laura Wills Photography

Did you know, this bakery is known for their “Barbara’s Original Champagne Cake”? It’s iconic here in Des Moines and doesn’t get more classic than this. If you haven’t checked them out already, The Bake Shoppe has been in business since 1948 (under a different name of course). But that testament and love for baking over the years still stands. They offer a HUGE variety of wedding cake flavors from standard and specialty to gourmet and more. The Bake Shoppe also has a selection of liquor cake flavors… How cool is that?! 

Get the details.

Cake Studio DSM

wedding cake created by Cake Studio dSM

Chef Jackie is whipping up custom cakes like you’ve never seen before, right here in Des Moines! She brings southern flavor with a french technique to the Central Iowa area’s pastry scene. For wedding cakes you have two options, build your own or “The Chef’s Signature Collection”. If you’re a Type A/DIY bride, a BYO wedding cake might be right up your alley. You can pair all kinds of unique flavor options from the base and filling, to the frosting on top. Or, let Chef Jackie choose your perfect pairing. With her expertise, her chef-crafted and seasonal flavor combos will create a masterpiece your guests will never forget. 

See the menu + pricing.

Cha Cha’s Hiland Bakery

bride and groom cut their wedding cake

Photo courtesy of Breanna Maxwell Photography

A Des Moines classic, get your custom wedding cake from Cha Cha herself! That’s right, known for their mouth watering donuts, Cha Cha’s also offers custom cakes. With sizes ranging from 4 inches to a ½ sheet of cake, you can choose from a huge variety of sweet flavors, fillings, and frostings. This local bakery is also no stranger to fun designs! If you’re a bride looking for an eclectic look, Cha Cha’s just might be your sweet spot.

Learn more about custom cakes.

Cake Baby

owner of Cake Baby poses, holding "Just Married" cake

Whitney Peter, former Crème employee, opened her very own in-home bakery called Cake Baby. Cake Baby is focused on creating personal cakes, cupcakes, desserts, treats and more that are unique to each person. Everything is made to order, and as the sole owner, she can work directly with you to give you the wedding cake you’ve been dreaming of. Give her a follow on social and check out her website for all of her offerings!

Check her out.

Parinda Cupcakes

three-tiered floral, purple wedding cake surrounded by flowers

Specializing in floral cake design, Parinda Cupcakes is every garden party bride’s dream. Owner, May, is from Thailand and found her love for baking and cake decorating, perfecting it over time. She’s been featured in Midwest Living, Junebug Weddings, and more. With four different collections to choose from, she can create a cake (or cupcakes) flexible with most budgets. Be sure to give her a follow on socials, and check out her website!

View her wedding offerings.

Molly’s Cupcakes

three-tiered white wedding cake surrounded by greenery

Can you even say you’re a Des Moines-ian if you haven’t been to Molly’s Cupcakes? Famously a winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and of multiple awards from publications across the Midwest, Molly has made a name for herself. Whether you’re looking for a tiered cake, a couple’s cake, or want her signature cupcakes for you guests- how cool is it that you could say a nationally-recognized bakery made your wedding cake?! 

View their wedding cake abilities.

Sam’s Club or Costco

wedding couple cuts cake at Sam's Club

Photo courtesy of Sam’s Club Partners.

While it’s important to support small, local businesses, we do understand that not all brides have unlimited cake budgets. And hey, that is SO okay! The chokehold in value that both Sam’s Club and Costco have on the wedding industry is crazy. Get dozens of cupcakes for half the price, or order your wedding cake that looks JUST as good as a local one. You do have to have a membership at either of these establishments to get a deal, but it’s worth it.

Check out this article.

Know of a different DSM bakery that made your wedding cake?

Let us know! Chances are, we may have missed a couple in our research. We’d love to hear who made your special day’s cake!