Wedding Cake Size: Planning The Perfect Amount

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to deciding on the right amount of food to order. When it comes to wedding cakes, you'll want to make sure you have enough to serve all your guests, but you also don't want to be left with a ton of leftovers or waste money on a cake that's too big. A common calculation for wedding cakes is to order one slice of cake per guest, with a half slice of the groom's cake. However, it's becoming more common for guests to decline a slice of cake, so you can usually order enough for 75 to 85% of your guests.

Number of guests

The number of guests is a crucial factor in determining the size of your wedding cake. It's essential to strike a balance between ensuring there's enough cake for your guests and avoiding unnecessary waste. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Firstly, it's worth noting that not all your guests may want a slice of cake. Some may have dietary restrictions, while others may not have a sweet tooth or prefer cake. A rough estimate is that about 10% of your guests may decline a slice of cake. Therefore, it's generally recommended to cater to about 90% of your total guest count. This means if you have 100 guests, you should plan to have enough cake for 90 servings.

The size of the cake slices will also impact the number of servings you'll need. There are typically two types of wedding cake slices: finger portions and dessert portions. Finger portions are smaller, measuring around 1 x 1 x 4 inches, and are meant to be enjoyed casually, perhaps later in the evening. On the other hand, dessert portions are larger, measuring 2 x 1 x 4 inches, and are usually served as dessert at the wedding breakfast.

Now, let's look at how the number of guests translates to the number of tiers or size of the cake:

• For a single-tier cake, a 6-inch round cake will yield about 10-12 finger portions or 10-14 dessert portions. This size is suitable for smaller, intimate weddings with 10 to 30 guests.
• A two-tier cake is suitable for weddings with 40 to 60 guests. A 1 x two-tier cake typically serves 60 guests.
• A three-tier cake is a good choice for weddings with 70 to 90 guests. A 1 x three-tier cake will serve approximately 100 guests.
• If you're expecting 100 to 150 guests, consider a four-tier cake.
• For larger weddings with 170 to 210 guests, a five-tier cake will be needed.
• And for weddings with over 220 guests, you'll need a six or seven-tier cake.

It's important to note that the shape of the cake also affects the number of servings. Round cakes are classic and traditional, while square cakes offer modern, clean lines. Round cakes typically yield slightly fewer servings than square cakes of the same size due to the way they are cut. For example, a 6-inch square cake will serve about 12-18 guests, while a 6-inch round cake will serve around 10-14 guests.

In conclusion, when planning your wedding cake, consider the number of guests, the desired portion size, and the shape of the cake. Discuss your requirements with your cake designer, who can advise you on the perfect size and style to ensure all your guests are catered for.

Cake size and shape

The size of your wedding cake depends on the number of guests, the size of the slices, and the shape of the cake.

Cake size

Firstly, you should consider your guest list. While not all guests will want a slice of cake, you should still plan to have enough cake for around 75 to 85% of your guests. If you want to provide enough cake for all your guests, you can estimate the number of servings by assuming that each guest will have one slice.

Slice size

Standard wedding cake slices are 1-inch by 2-inch, while a larger party-size slice is 1.5-inches by 2-inches. Bakers also offer wedding cake tiers that are 4-inches or 5-inches tall, which should be factored into your sizing calculations.

Cake shape

The number of servings provided by a cake depends on its shape. Round cakes tend to provide fewer servings than square cakes. For example, a 6-inch round cake will serve 12 people, while a 6-inch square cake will serve 18 people. Similarly, a 12-inch round cake will serve 56 people, while a 12-inch square cake will serve 72 people.

Other considerations

If you are offering other desserts in addition to the cake, you will need less cake. In this case, you can order around 50% cake and fill the rest with other dessert options. You should also consider whether you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake for your first wedding anniversary, as this will impact the number of servings available to your guests.

If you are planning a large wedding, you may want to consider a sheet cake, which can provide a higher number of servings. For example, a half sheet party cake with 2-inch by 2-inch slices can serve 54 people.

Portion size

The general rule of thumb is to plan for one slice of cake per guest. However, it's common for some guests to decline a slice of cake, so you can usually order enough cake for 75 to 85 percent of your guests. This means that if you have 100 guests, you would need 100 servings of cake.

If you are serving other desserts in addition to the cake, you can order significantly less cake, perhaps only 50 percent. If you are having a self-serve cake station, you can also get away with ordering less cake than if you were serving the cake with dinner.

The size of the cake slices will also impact how many slices you need. Standard wedding cake servings are 1-inch by 2-inch slices, while a larger party-size slice is 1.5-inches by 2-inches.

• Round 6-inch cake: 10 to 14 servings
• Round 8-inch cake: 20 to 28 servings
• Round 10-inch cake: 40 to 45 servings
• Round 12-inch cake: 50 to 56 servings
• Round 14-inch cake: 80 to 86 servings
• Round 16-inch cake: 100 to 110 servings

For square cakes, the number of servings is slightly higher:

• Square 6-inch cake: 18 servings
• Square 8-inch cake: 32 servings
• Square 10-inch cake: 50 servings
• Square 12-inch cake: 72 servings
• Square 14-inch cake: 98 servings
• Square 16-inch cake: 128 servings

Additional desserts

When planning a wedding, it's important to consider the number of guests you are inviting to determine the size of your wedding cake. A common calculation is to allow for one slice of cake per guest, with a half slice of groom's cake. However, it's becoming more popular to offer additional desserts alongside the cake.

• Cake pops: These are a cute and portable alternative to a traditional cake, allowing guests to try different flavours and not feel too full.
• Ice cream: Hire an ice cream truck or set up a sundae bar with various toppings. Ice cream is a year-round favourite and can be served in sandwiches or as frozen treats.
• S'mores bar: Provide graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, and unique options like Ritz crackers, white chocolate, and cookie butter. Add some gel fuel cans to toast the marshmallows for a fun experience.
• Cookies and milk: Offer a variety of cookies, from chocolate chip to Oreos, and even include decorated cookies that fit your wedding theme as a fun favour.
• Pies: Serve cheerful cherry pies for a summer wedding or mini pumpkin pies or apple tarts for a fall wedding.
• Churros: Serve these Mexican treats with caramel or chocolate dipping sauces.
• Candy bar: Set up a colourful display of candy jars, tubs, and vases, allowing guests to choose their favourites and providing an easy wedding favour.
• Popsicles: Rent a popsicle cart to add a pop of colour to your reception and offer classic flavours like strawberry or chocolate, or unique options like chamoy and lime.
• Macarons: These light and airy treats are a delicious and entertaining option. Display them on a tower or package them as wedding favours.
• Hot chocolate bar: Warm up your guests with a hot chocolate bar, complete with whipped cream, candy canes, and marshmallows.
• Chocolate fountain: Impress your guests with a chocolate fountain, and provide items for dipping, such as fruit, pretzels, and graham crackers.
• Snow cones and shaved ice: Keep your guests cool with these refreshing treats, perfect for a summer wedding.
• Kolaches: Offer a mixture of sweet and savoury kolaches, a traditional Czech delicacy that is also popular in Texas.

Saving the top tier

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, if you're having a cake-cutting ceremony, be mindful of how and where you cut the cake. Only slice pieces from the bottom tier so that the top tier remains untouched. Secondly, ask your catering staff to take off the top tier of the cake immediately after the cutting ceremony and box it up for transportation. If you're going on your honeymoon right after the wedding, you may want to appoint a family member or friend to take the cake home and prepare it for preservation.

When it comes to preserving your cake, it's important to remove any decorative ornaments or sugar flowers. These can be saved as a memento, but they should be set aside in a dry, room-temperature location. Next, chill the cake so that the icing hardens, which will make it easier to wrap the cake without making a mess. Wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by at least two layers of foil, to protect it from freezer burn. Finally, seal the wrapped cake in an airtight bag, label it, and store it on a freezer shelf where it will be out of the way.

Some people may be hesitant to save the top tier of their wedding cake due to concerns about the cake drying out or not tasting fresh after a year in the freezer. It's true that any cake will be a little stale after a year, even if it's frozen. Most bakers recommend storing it for no longer than six months. However, you can choose a cake with a longer shelf life, such as chocolate, hazelnut, almond, or carrot cake, if you want to save it for your first anniversary.

Frequently asked questions