cheaper alternatives to cake stands?

Check pinterest, there are some really cute DIY cake stands on there

You could just cut a tree slice and put it on that. Or you could just put the cake on the table with the foiled board underneath that the cake sits on. There is no reason a cake has to be propped up.

I agree, that it can sit on the table and still look pretty. Or you could DIY something - cover a sturdy box with fabric or mod podge something interesting onto it. Maybe photos of you as a couple?

I was going to suggest the tree thing. You could also check out yard/garage sales for cake stands or parts to make your own.

For a small cake, a typical cake pedestal would work and you can pick those up for a just few dollars at thrift or antique shops.

In fact, yesterday I was on eBay (looking up milk glass plates) and saw a bunch of milk glass cake pedestals.

Hot glue a candle stick to a plate.

I like the slice of the tree trunk or I would check out a marshals or something and see if you can get a generic but pretty cake stand that you can use again in your house.

Just saw this at target.com. its $20 but pretty and something you can use again

Make your own? this is what I got when I GOOGLED rustic cake stand

I think this is super cute and I could whip this up in 20 mins (minus the time for the stain to dry)