Donut Wedding Cakes: How Many Do You Need?

Donut wedding cakes are a fun and whimsical alternative to traditional wedding cakes. They offer versatility in flavours and colours, and can be decorated with flowers, monogram toppers, or pretty dried petals. But how many donuts do you need for a wedding cake?

The number of donuts you'll require depends on the number of guests and whether you're serving other food. A good rule of thumb is to order at least one donut per guest. If donuts are the main dessert, you may want to order 50-60% more than your guest count. Some people also suggest treating donuts like cupcakes and ordering 1.5-2 per person.

Don't forget to consider the aesthetics of your display—if you're using a donut wall, you'll want to ensure it's filled, and if you're stacking donuts, you'll need enough to create a tower. It's always better to have too many than too few, and any leftovers can be boxed up for guests to enjoy after the wedding.

Flavours and quantities

Number of Donuts

The number of donuts you will need depends on the number of guests and their expected appetite. Some people may eat more than one donut, especially if there are multiple flavours available. It is generally recommended to order at least one donut per guest, with some sources suggesting 1.2-1.5 donuts per person to account for those who want seconds or want to try different flavours. If you are serving other desserts or a full meal, you may need fewer donuts. Leftovers are also not necessarily a bad thing, as guests may enjoy taking some treats home with them.

Flavours

Choosing flavours can be tricky, as you want to offer a variety that appeals to different tastes without overwhelming your guests with choices. A good rule of thumb is to select no more than 6 flavours, including donut hole varieties. While it may be tempting to offer all the top-rated flavours, it is important to remember that your guests will not have the opportunity to sample all the options before choosing, so it is a good idea to include mostly familiar, classic flavours that are likely to be crowd-pleasers. That being said, including one or two unique or unusual flavours can add a fun and whimsical touch to your wedding.

Portion Sizes

In addition to the number of donuts and the variety of flavours, you should also consider the size of the donuts themselves. If the donuts are large, you may want to cut them in half so that guests can sample multiple flavours without feeling too full. Mini donuts or donut holes are also a great option, especially if you plan to serve them with welcome drinks or as a late-night snack.

Display and Presentation

The way you display your donut wedding cake can also impact the quantity and variety of donuts you need. If you choose to stack the donuts on a tower or cake stand, you will need to ensure you have enough donuts to create a visually appealing display. A donut wall, on the other hand, may require fewer donuts, but you will want to avoid having empty slots. You can also get creative with your presentation by incorporating flowers, a cake topper, or other decorative elements.

Timing and ordering

Timing is an important consideration when ordering a donut wedding cake. Unlike traditional wedding cakes, which can often be ordered months in advance, donut places may not allow you to place an order that far ahead. It is recommended to start reaching out to your local donut shops or bakeries to inquire about their lead times and when they would need to receive your order.

For example, one couple started talking to their donut provider three months before their wedding and confirmed the order about three weeks prior. Another couple mentioned that their coordinator, who frequently worked at their venue, suggested ordering donuts two months in advance for their wedding.

In terms of quantity, the general recommendation is to order at least one donut per guest. If donuts are the main dessert, you may want to consider ordering 1.2 to 1.5 donuts per guest, especially if you plan to have multiple flavors, as guests may want to try more than one variety. Some sources suggest ordering as many as two donuts per guest, but this may result in a significant number of leftovers.

If you are concerned about having too many leftovers, you can consider boxing up any extra donuts to give out at the end of the wedding. Alternatively, you can soft allocate donuts to each guest, estimating how many each person is likely to eat. For instance, "Uncle John would eat 1", "My friend Bill would have 2", and so on. This approach can help you fine-tune your order to reduce waste while ensuring you have enough to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.

When deciding on flavors, it is recommended to stick to a small number (2-3) of familiar, reliable flavors that most guests will enjoy. While it can be fun to include one or two unusual flavors, guests tend to gravitate towards the classic, recognizable options. Additionally, consider including a variety of filled and unfilled donuts to provide a range of textures and tastes.

Finally, don't forget to ask your donut provider for advice on keeping the donuts fresh. They may recommend refrigeration or suggest using airtight containers to maintain freshness until your big day.

Display and presentation

There are many ways to display a donut wedding cake, from a simple plate of donuts to more elaborate displays. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Doughnut walls: These have been very popular as they look fantastic and are easy for guests to see and pick up. You can also embellish your doughnut wall with an epic wedding balloon display.
• Doughnut cake stand: You can create your own donut wedding cake stand by using a cake stand and stacking the donuts in layers. Start with a layer of donuts filling out the cake stand, then add the next layer by placing the donuts in between the placements of the layer below. Repeat this process, adding fewer donuts each time, until you have a donut tower. You can also add extra cake stands on top of each other to create more tiers if you have a large number of guests.
• Doughnut tea cake stand: Use a sweet afternoon tea cake stand to display your donuts.
• Doughnut log stand: Choose a rustic log cake stand to add your donuts to.
• Doughnut cake topper: Don't forget to add a cake topper to your donut tower.
• Doughnuts on poles: Turn your display on its head by stacking the donuts on wooden poles.
• Giant donut cake: If individual donuts are not enough, you can have a giant cutting donut too.
• Doughnut grazing table: Create a sweet grazing table with cupcakes, macarons, chocolates, meringue kisses, and donuts.
• Doughnut dresser: Put donuts in a cute vintage dresser for a unique display.
• Doughnut balloon wall display: Embellish your doughnut wall with an epic wedding balloon display.
• Doughnut heart wall: Make a heart shape with your donuts on the wall.
• Doughnut cake table backdrop: If you want a traditional wedding cake, you can use donuts as your cake table backdrop.
• Doughnuts and flowers: Decorate your donut tower or wall with pretty flowers.
• Doughnut pun sign: Add a fun tongue-in-cheek doughnut sign to your display.

When creating your display, consider the number of guests you have and whether one donut per guest will be enough. Also, think about the aesthetics of your display and try to avoid empty slots on a doughnut wall. It is important to avoid food waste, so carefully consider your options. You may also want to provide plates, napkins, paper bags, and forks for your guests, as well as cardboard boxes or doggy bags for leftovers.

Cost and budgeting

The cost of a donut wedding cake will depend on the number of donuts you need, the type of donuts you choose, and the complexity of the display. Here are some factors to consider when budgeting for your donut wedding cake:

Number of Donuts

The first step is to estimate how many donuts you will need. As a general rule, it is recommended to order at least one donut per guest. However, if donuts are the main dessert, you may want to consider ordering 50-60% more than your guest count to account for guests who want more than one. For example, if you have 100 guests, you would need 150-160 donuts.

Type of Donuts

The cost of donuts can vary depending on the type, flavour, and size. Simple glazed donuts may be more affordable, while specialty or gourmet donuts with fillings or unique toppings may be more expensive. If you choose a variety of flavours and types, this will also increase the overall cost.

Display and Decorations

The cost of the display and decorations can also vary. If you choose a simple stand or tower, the cost may be minimal. However, if you want a more elaborate display with fresh flowers, monogram toppers, or other custom decorations, this will increase the budget. Some bakeries or donut shops may include the cost of the display in their pricing, while others may charge extra.

Customization and Delivery

If you require customization, such as specific colours or flavours to match your wedding theme, this may incur additional costs. Additionally, consider the delivery or pickup costs when budgeting. Donuts are best served fresh, so ensure you factor in any delivery charges for the day of your wedding.

Comparison to Traditional Wedding Cakes

Donut wedding cakes can be a more affordable option compared to traditional tiered cakes. Traditional wedding cakes can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the size and complexity. Donut cakes, on the other hand, can be a more cost-effective alternative, especially if you choose a simpler display and a lower number of donuts.

When budgeting for your donut wedding cake, it is essential to get quotes from multiple bakeries or donut shops. Discuss your specific requirements, including the number of guests, the type of donuts, and any desired customizations. This will help you get an accurate estimate of the cost and ensure that your donut wedding cake fits within your budget.

Portion sizes

The first thing to consider is your guest list. If you are inviting 150 people, it is probably a good idea to order at least 150 donuts, so there is one for each guest. However, you may want to order more, as some guests might want to try multiple flavours or have more than one donut. Ordering 1.2-1.5 donuts per guest is a good rule of thumb, but if you are offering multiple flavours, you might want to order even more, as people will generally want to sample the different options.

If you are serving other desserts or a full meal, your guests might not be as inclined to eat multiple donuts. In this case, you could order fewer donuts, perhaps 1 per guest or 1.2-1.3 per guest if you are offering multiple flavours.

Some couples choose to have a small, traditional wedding cake for cutting and photos, and then supplement this with donuts or other desserts. This could reduce the number of donuts you need to order, as the cake will take up some of the visual space in your display, and your guests will have another dessert option.

If you are concerned about having too many donuts, you could consider boxing up any leftovers to give to your guests at the end of the wedding. This way, you can avoid food waste and send your guests home with a sweet treat to enjoy the next day.

Frequently asked questions