Wedding Cake Wonder: How Many Tiers To Cut?

Planning a wedding involves a lot of decision-making, and one of the most important choices is the wedding cake. Couples want their cake to be a beautiful centerpiece that adds to the celebration while also ensuring there is enough for all their guests to enjoy. So, how do you determine the right number of cakes and the right cake size? The answer depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the type of cake, whether there will be additional desserts, and the portion size.

Cake serving sizes

The size of your wedding cake will depend on a few factors, such as the number of guests, the type of cake, and how it will be served. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you determine the appropriate cake serving sizes for your wedding.

Standard Wedding Cake Portions

Traditional wedding cakes typically have round tiers that are approximately 3-4 inches tall. However, modern wedding cakes often feature taller tiers, ranging from 7-8 inches in height. The height of your cake will impact the number of servings you can get from each tier.

Finger Slice vs Dessert Slice

There are two types of wedding cake slices: Finger portions and dessert portions. Finger portions are typically smaller, measuring 1 x 1 x 4 inches, and are meant to be enjoyed casually, perhaps later in the evening. They are perfect for satisfying your guests' sweet tooth without overwhelming them.

On the other hand, dessert portions are larger, measuring 2 x 1 x 4 inches, and are often served as dessert during the wedding breakfast. These portions provide a more substantial treat for your guests.

Single-Tier vs Multi-Tier Cakes

The number of tiers on your wedding cake will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. Single-tier cakes are ideal for smaller, intimate weddings, serving between 10 to 30 guests. They provide an elegant focal point for a cosy celebration.

For larger weddings, multi-tier cakes are a more suitable option. The number of tiers can vary from two to seven or more, depending on your guest count and the skill of your cake designer. Here is a general guide:

• Two-tier cake: 40-60 guests
• Three-tier cake: 70-90 guests
• Four-tier cake: 100-150 guests
• Five-tier cake: 170-210 guests
• Six or seven-tier cake: 220+ guests

Round vs Square Cakes

Wedding cakes come in various shapes, including round, square, and even hexagonal. Each shape offers different portion sizes. Round cakes are considered classic and timeless, making them a popular choice for traditional weddings. They are typically cut into uniform slices, ensuring consistent portions for your guests.

Square cakes, on the other hand, offer a modern and clean look, perfect for contemporary wedding themes. They provide versatility in portion sizes, allowing you to serve larger or smaller slices as needed.

Determining the Right Cake Size

When determining the size of your wedding cake, consider the following factors:

• Number of guests: Calculate the number of servings based on your guest count. You may not need a slice for every guest, as some may decline or be too full for dessert.
• Timing of cake serving: If you plan to serve the cake as dessert, you will need larger portions or more slices than if you serve it later in the evening.
• Additional desserts: If you plan to have a full dessert table or serve dessert with dinner, you can order less cake. Approximately 50% cake should suffice, and you can supplement with other treats.
• Saving the top tier: Consider whether you want to save the top tier of your cake for your first anniversary or a special event. This tradition was more common with fruit cakes, which have a longer shelf life.
• Self-serve vs plated: If you opt for a self-serve cake station, you may need less cake than if you serve plated slices with dinner.

Tips for Budget-Friendly Options

To save costs, consider these options:

• Smaller slices: Discuss with your baker about offering smaller slices. Often, slices are larger than necessary, and your guests will still be satisfied with slightly smaller portions.
• "Fake cake": Opt for a layer or two of "fake cake" made with styrofoam. This allows you to have a multi-layer cake for display and photos without the expense of additional cake.
• Sheet cakes: For large guest lists, consider having simple sheet cakes in addition to your display cake. These can be kept in the catering kitchen and used to provide extra servings without the high cost of a decorated cake.

How many guests are there?

The number of guests at your wedding is the most important factor when determining the size of your wedding cake.

If you are not serving other desserts alongside the cake, it is recommended that you order enough cake to provide a slice for each guest. Some sources suggest that it is safe to assume that 10-20% of guests will decline cake, so you may wish to order enough cake for 80-90% of your guest count. However, if your cake is particularly delicious, your guests may want seconds, so you may need to order more than one slice per person.

If you are serving other desserts, you will need much less cake. In this case, you can probably order around 50% cake and fill guests up with additional treats.

The size of cake you will need also depends on whether you want to save the top tier for your first wedding anniversary, or whether you want to have some leftover to enjoy the next day.

• Single-tier cake: 10-30 guests
• Two-tier cake: 40-60 guests
• Three-tier cake: 70-90 guests
• Four-tier cake: 100-150 guests
• Five-tier cake: 170-210 guests
• Six or seven-tier cake: 220+ guests

Single-tier vs. multi-tier cakes

Single-tier cakes are a popular choice for smaller, more intimate weddings, serving between 10 and 30 guests. They can be an elegant and beautiful focal point for a smaller celebration, allowing for intricate or minimalist designs, personalised decorations, flowers, or hand-painted details that reflect the style and themes of the wedding. Single-tier cakes can also be stacked to create a multi-tiered cake.

On the other hand, multi-tiered cakes are typically chosen for larger weddings. The number of tiers can range from two to seven or more, depending on the number of guests and the skill of the cake designer. A two-tier cake can serve 40-60 guests, a three-tier cake can serve 70-90 guests, a four-tier cake can accommodate 100-150 guests, a five-tier cake is suitable for 170-210 guests, and a six or seven-tier cake is ideal for 220 or more guests.

One advantage of a single-tier cake is the ability to create unique shapes that may not stack well. For example, a wedding bundt cake or a cake with a custom topper. Single-tier cakes also allow for more variety in terms of flavours and can be a cost-effective option, especially when compared to a large multi-tiered cake.

Multi-tiered cakes, on the other hand, offer a sense of awe and drama to the wedding reception. They can be a stunning centrepiece and are often seen as more elegant and traditional. While single-tier cakes can be stacked to create a multi-tiered effect, the latter is more challenging to achieve and may require additional structural support, such as plastic tubes.

Ultimately, the decision between a single-tier and a multi-tier cake depends on the couple's preferences, guest count, budget, and desired level of elegance and drama. Both options can be customised and decorated to create a beautiful and memorable cake for the special day.

Dietary restrictions

When determining the number of servings, it is generally advised to cater to 80-90% of your total guest count, as not everyone will want cake. However, if you are not serving any other desserts, it is suggested that you order cake for your entire guest count or at least 85-90% of it. This is because most guests will eat dessert, especially if it is delicious!

If you are concerned about budgeting, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can opt for a smaller decorated cake and supplement it with kitchen cakes, which are undecorated cakes that the venue's kitchen slices and serves to your guests. These kitchen cakes are much more affordable than a decorated tiered cake. Secondly, a 2-tier or single-tier cake can be a beautiful and elegant choice, especially when presented on a tall cake stand or artfully decorated cake table. You can also discuss with your baker about making thinner slices to increase the number of servings.

In addition to dietary restrictions, it is worth considering other factors that may impact cake consumption. For example, if the cake is served late in the evening, some guests may have left or be too full for dessert. Similarly, if the cake is not cut and served correctly, or if the slices are placed in an area away from the guests, there may be less interest in the cake.

Leftovers and waste

When it comes to weddings, there are often leftovers and waste, and this is no different when it comes to the cake. In this section, we will discuss the various factors that can contribute to leftover and wasted wedding cake, as well as provide tips and suggestions for reducing waste and making the most of any leftovers.

One of the main reasons for leftover wedding cake is that the couple may order too much cake in the first place. It is a common misconception that you need to provide one slice of cake per guest. However, this is usually not the case, as not all guests will want or eat cake. A good rule of thumb is to cater to around 80%-90% of your guest count, especially if you are serving other desserts. This will help to reduce waste while still ensuring that most guests can enjoy a slice of cake.

Another factor that can contribute to leftover cake is the timing of when the cake is served. If the cake is served too late in the evening, some guests may have already left or be too full from dinner and dessert to want a slice of cake. To avoid this, consider serving the cake earlier in the night, or even as dessert during the wedding breakfast. This will increase the likelihood of the cake being eaten and reduce waste.

Additionally, the quality of the cake can also play a role in whether there are leftovers or not. If the cake is from a well-known bakery and is of good quality, it is more likely to be eaten than a grocery store cake. To avoid waste, it is important to choose a reputable baker who can provide a delicious cake that your guests will want to eat.

If there are any leftover cake slices, it is a good idea to have the catering staff package them up so that guests can take them home. This way, the cake is not wasted, and your guests can enjoy it at a later time. Some couples may also choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first wedding anniversary, or even for the birth of their first child. This is a traditional option that can help reduce waste and provide a special treat for the couple at a later date.

In summary, there are several factors that can contribute to leftover and wasted wedding cake, including ordering too much cake, serving it too late, and the quality of the cake itself. However, by following the tips provided above, such as catering to 80%-90% of your guest count, serving the cake earlier in the night, and choosing a reputable baker, you can help to reduce waste and make the most of any leftover cake.

Frequently asked questions