The bride doesn't have to have a wedding cake at the reception if she doesn't want one and can serve other desserts, but it's tradition and the first cut of a wedding cake is made by the bride with the groom's hand over hers to cut the first slice. If it's a matter of money a two to three tiered cake can be made (most wedding cakes are anywhere from chocolate cake; white cakes; carrot cakes, etc. and wedding cake stands for each tier can be bought at Michael Crafts or any craft store) and then taken to a bakery for the icing. To save more money the cake can be decorated by the person who baked it once iced with some fresh flowers instead of flowers made from icing. In fact, if the bride's mother or any relative is good at baking they can make the cake, ice it and then decorate it with the flowers.
