Wedding Cake: Serving Sizes And Guest Satisfaction

Planning a wedding comes with a lot of questions, and one of the most important is: how much cake do I need? It's a tricky question, as couples don't want to be left with lots of leftover cake, but they also don't want to run out. The general rule is that 75 to 85 percent of guests will eat cake, so it's worth bearing in mind how many guests are coming, how much food you're serving, and what other treats are on offer. A standard wedding cake serving is 1x2 inches, while a larger slice is 1.5x2 inches. A 6-inch round cake will serve about 10 people, an 8-inch cake will serve 20-28, a 10-inch cake will serve 38-45, a 12-inch cake will serve 50-56, and a 16-inch cake will serve about 100-110 people.

Cake slice size: 1x2 inches is standard, but some opt for larger slices.

When it comes to wedding cake, the standard slice size is 1x2 inches, but some couples opt for larger slices, especially if they are serving the cake as dessert.

A standard 1x2-inch slice of a round wedding cake tier is approximately 5 inches tall, with a filling in the middle. The number of people a cake can feed will depend on the size of the tier. For example, a 6-inch tier will serve about 10 people, an 8-inch tier will serve approximately 20-28 people, and a 10-inch tier will serve approximately 40-45 people. If you want to serve larger slices, you may need to select a slightly larger cake or add another tier.

For a rectangular wedding cake, the standard size is also 1x2 inches, with the cake being approximately 5 inches tall and including a filling in the middle. A quarter sheet cake (9x13 inches) with 1x2-inch slices will serve 54 people, while a half sheet cake (12x18 inches) with the same slice size will serve 108 people. A full sheet cake (16x24 inches) with 1x2-inch slices will serve 192 people.

Some couples may prefer to offer larger slices, especially if the cake is being served as dessert. In this case, a 2x2-inch slice of a quarter sheet cake will serve 24 people, and a half sheet cake will serve 54 people. If you're offering a particularly tall cake, slices may be larger in height, such as 2x3 inches, in which case a quarter sheet cake will serve 18 people, and a half sheet cake will serve 36 people.

It's important to consider the number of guests, the amount of food being served, and any other treats that will be available when deciding on cake slice size. Couples may also want to think about the number of flavours they offer, as guests may be more likely to try more than one slice if there are multiple options. Ultimately, the decision on slice size comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the wedding.

Number of guests:

The number of guests you expect to attend your wedding will determine the size of your wedding cake. It's worth noting that not all of your guests will want to eat cake, especially if they are already full from a large meal or if there are other desserts on offer.

A good rule of thumb is to estimate that 75% to 85% of your guests will want a slice of cake. If you want to be sure that everyone has the option of trying a second flavour, you can add 20% more cake.

Standard wedding cake servings are 1-inch by 2-inch slices, while a larger party-size slice is 1.5-inches by 2-inches.

• A 6" cake will serve about 10 people.
• An 8" cake will serve approximately 20-28 people.
• A 10" cake will serve approximately 40-45 people.
• A 12" cake will serve about 50-56 people.
• A 14" cake will serve about 80-86 people.
• A 16" cake will serve about 100-110 people.

If you are having a square cake, the number of servings will be different:

• A 6" square cake will serve about 18 people.
• An 8" square cake will serve approximately 32 people.
• A 10" square cake will serve approximately 50 people.
• A 12" square cake will serve about 72 people.
• A 14" square cake will serve about 98 people.
• A 16" square cake will serve about 128 people.

Number of flavours:

The number of flavours you choose for your wedding cake can impact how much cake you need. If you have multiple flavours, your guests may want to try more than one slice. If you have one flavour, it is unlikely that guests will want more than one slice.

If you have picked lots of different flavours, there may be some guests who want to try a slice of each. If you have three tiers, that is six slices! You might have to fight your guests for a slice.

If you have a few different flavours, your guests might want to try a second slice, so you could add an extra 20% of cake to your order.

If you have a very popular flavour, you might want to consider ordering a larger cake, so that you can ensure that you get a slice!

If you have a single flavour, you can simply order one slice of cake per guest.

Other treats:

If you're planning to serve other sweet treats at your wedding, this will obviously have an impact on how much cake you need to order. The more sweet options there are, the less likely it is that all your guests will eat the wedding cake.

If you're offering a dessert buffet, you might want to provide enough total dessert servings for all guests to enjoy one-and-a-half items. These could include a slice of cake, a cookie, a brownie, a cupcake, or even candy.

Don't forget, if you're planning to have a variety of flavours for your wedding cake, your guests might want to try more than one slice. You might want to order 20% extra cake to make sure there's enough to go around.

If you're worried about leftovers, you could always ask your venue to save you a slice of each flavour so you can enjoy them later. Or, if you're heading off on your honeymoon the next day, you could give the leftovers to your guests to take home.

• Cake pops
• Donut wall
• Sweetie cart
• Cookies
• Brownies
• Cupcakes
• Candy

Saving the top tier:

The tradition of saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a timeless one, allowing you to relive your special day on your first anniversary. If you plan to follow this custom, be sure to account for it when determining your wedding cake size.

Don't include the top tier when calculating how much cake you need to feed your guests. Instead, start your calculations with the next size down, typically the 8-inch cake tier. This will ensure you have enough cake for your guests, with the top tier left over for your anniversary.

Some couples choose not to save the top tier, as storing it for a year can be inconvenient and affect the taste. If you don't want to save it, you can always ask your baker for a gift certificate for a small cake on your anniversary instead. Alternatively, you could take your wedding cake home and freeze it to enjoy in the first few weeks of your marriage.

If you do decide to save the top tier, be sure to wrap it well and store it properly in the freezer to maintain its freshness and flavour. You may also want to set a reminder so you don't forget about it!

Frequently asked questions