Wedding Cake Serving Guide: Pieces Per Guest

Planning a wedding can be a tricky business. There are so many things to consider, from the guest list to the food and drink, and, of course, the cake. But how much cake do you need? A common calculation for wedding cake allows for one slice of the bride's cake per guest and a half slice of the groom's cake. So, for 100 guests, you'd need 100 servings of the bride's cake and 50 servings of the groom's. However, it's becoming more common for guests to decline a slice of cake, so you may only need to order enough for 80% of your guests.

Cake serving size by tier

When it comes to wedding cake, you'll want to make sure you have enough to serve all your guests, but you also don't want to be left with lots of leftovers. A good rule of thumb is to provide one slice of cake per guest, with a half slice of the groom's cake. This means that for 100 guests, you'd need 100 servings of the bride's cake and 50 servings of the groom's cake. However, it's worth noting that some guests may decline a slice of cake, so you can usually get away with ordering enough for just 75 to 85 percent of your guests.

Round Wedding Cake Sizing

• Round 6-inch cake: 12 servings
• Round 8-inch cake: 24 servings
• Round 10-inch cake: 38 servings
• Round 12-inch cake: 56 servings
• Round 14-inch cake: 78 servings
• Round 16-inch cake: 100 servings

Square Wedding Cake Sizing

• 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

Tiered Cake Servings

A standard tiered wedding cake usually consists of three or more tiers, with each tier providing a certain number of servings. Here are some common combinations of wedding cake tier sizes and the total number of servings they yield:

• 2-Tier Cake (6″ + 8″ or 8″ + 10″ diameter): Approx. 30-40 servings
• 3-Tier Cake (6″ + 8″ + 10″ or 8″ + 10″ + 12″ diameter): Approx. 50-100 servings
• 4+ Tier Cake (6″ + 8″ + 10″ + 12″ diameter): 100-150 servings
• 5-Tier Cake (6″ + 8″ + 10″ + 12″ + 14″ diameter): 150-200 servings

Saving the top tier

• Consult with your baker: Discuss your plans to save the top tier with your baker, who can advise on the best way to preserve and store it. They may have specific recommendations or techniques to ensure your cake stays fresh.
• Choose the right cake: Not all cakes are created equal when it comes to freezing. Some flavours and fillings may freeze better than others. Consult with your baker to choose a cake that will taste great after being frozen for a year.
• Properly wrap and store the cake: To prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness, it's crucial to wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil. Ensure it is well-sealed and stored in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and odour absorption.
• Time it right: It's best to freeze the cake as soon as possible after your wedding. The fresher it is when frozen, the better it will taste when thawed. Mark the cake with the date it was frozen and your first anniversary date so you don't forget!
• Thawing instructions: When your first anniversary arrives, carefully remove the cake from the freezer and let it thaw gradually. This usually takes a few hours to a day, depending on the size of the cake. Do not refreeze the cake after thawing.
• Enjoy your anniversary treat: After the cake has fully thawed, enjoy this sweet treat with your partner. It may not look exactly as it did on your wedding day, but it will surely bring back wonderful memories.

Self-serve vs. served with dinner

When it comes to wedding cake, there are two main serving options: self-serve or served with dinner. Here are some considerations for each option to help you decide which one is best for your wedding:

Self-Serve Wedding Cake:

• You will likely need to order less cake if you choose a self-serve cake station. This can be a more cost-effective option, especially if you have a large guest list.
• Consider the timing of when you will cut the cake. If you cut it earlier in the evening, more people are likely to eat it. If you cut it later, some guests may have left or be too full from dinner.
• To avoid waste, ask your caterers to bring out slices in waves to an obvious spot. That way, you can gauge how much cake is being eaten and adjust the portion sizes or number of slices brought out accordingly.
• If you have a self-serve cake station, it's a good idea to have someone from the catering staff to manage it. This will ensure that the cake is cut correctly and that guests can easily access it.
• You may want to provide small slice boxes for guests to take home leftover cake, especially if you have a particularly large cake.

Wedding Cake Served with Dinner:

• If you choose to serve the wedding cake with dinner, you will need to ensure there is a slice for each place setting. This option may be more convenient for guests as they won't have to leave their seats to get cake.
• Served cake can create a more formal and traditional atmosphere during the meal.
• Consider the timing of when you will serve the cake during dinner. If you serve it at the beginning of the meal, guests may be more likely to eat it. If you serve it at the end, some guests may be too full to finish their slice.
• Discuss with your caterers whether they will package up any leftover cake slices for guests to take home. This can be a nice way to avoid waste and give guests an extra treat.

Ultimately, the decision between self-serve and served wedding cake comes down to your personal preference, budget, and the overall flow of your wedding. Both options can work well, and it's important to ensure you have enough cake for your guest count, even if you choose to serve smaller slices.

Fake cake

A fake wedding cake, also known as a dummy cake, is a cake made from faux layers. They can be entirely made up of faux layers or incorporate both real and faux layers. This option is perfect for couples who want to display a stunning cake without needing many servings for their guests.

There are several benefits to choosing a fake wedding cake. Firstly, it can help with stability in difficult climates with high heat or humidity, ensuring that the cake remains intact during the celebration. Secondly, it allows for uniformly sized slices to be served from a separate sheet cake, ensuring that all guests receive an equal portion. Additionally, a fake cake is a great option for couples with a smaller guest list who still want to showcase a large and beautiful cake. By combining faux and real layers, there is less cake waste, and costs can be reduced.

When creating a fake wedding cake, most designs will work. Bakers may offer fondant or buttercream designs, depending on their preferences and expertise. It is important to communicate with your baker to understand their restrictions and capabilities.

While a fake wedding cake may not result in significant cost savings compared to a real cake, it can help eliminate waste. The main savings come from reducing the amount of leftover cake, as you can order a smaller real cake to serve your guests. Additionally, a fake cake can save time during the reception. You can display and cut the top tier of the fake cake, while a sheet cake is cut behind the scenes and served to your guests promptly.

Overall, a fake wedding cake is a practical and aesthetically pleasing option for couples who want to balance cake display, serving size, and budget considerations.

Sheet cakes

A quarter sheet cake, measuring 9" x 13" x 4", can feed a varying number of guests depending on the slice size. For example, with 1" x 2" slices, it will serve 54 guests, while with 2" x 2" slices, it will serve 24 guests. If you opt for larger slices of 2" x 3", a quarter sheet cake will serve approximately 18 guests.

For larger weddings, a half sheet cake, measuring 12" x 18" x 2", is a good choice. With standard 1" x 2" slices, it will serve 108 guests. If you prefer slightly larger slices of 2" x 2", a half sheet cake will yield 54 servings, and with even larger slices of 2" x 3", you can expect to serve approximately 36 guests.

If you're expecting a very large number of guests, a full sheet cake is the way to go. A full sheet cake, measuring 16" x 24" x 2", will provide 192 servings with 1" x 2" slices. For slightly bigger slices of 2" x 2", you can expect to serve 96 guests, and with 2" x 3" slices, a full sheet cake will feed approximately 64 people.

It's worth noting that the serving sizes mentioned above are based on standard cake slice dimensions. However, you can consult with your wedding cake baker to discuss the option of providing smaller slices, which can help stretch your budget further without depriving your guests of a delicious piece of cake.

Additionally, it's common for some guests to decline cake, especially if it's served after dessert or later in the night. In such cases, you can get away with ordering enough cake for 60-70% of your guest list.

Frequently asked questions