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Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are so many decisions to make, from the dress to the food to the guest list. One important consideration is the wedding cake. But how do you know if you're ordering enough?
The general rule of thumb is to order the same amount of cake as the number of guests you have invited. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider how much food you will be serving at the reception. If you're having a full three-course dinner, your guests might not have room for a large slice of cake. On the other hand, if you're having a buffet or using cake as dessert, you might need to order more.
It's also worth thinking about what other treats you'll be offering. If you have a donut wall or a sweetie cart, your guests might be less likely to eat a lot of cake. The number of flavours you choose will also impact how much cake you need – if you have lots of different flavours, your guests might want to try more than one slice!
Ultimately, it's better to have too much cake than not enough. Leftovers can always be frozen or sent home with guests as favours.
What You'll Learn
How much food will be served?
When it comes to food, there are a few things to consider to ensure you order enough for your guests.
Firstly, how many people have you invited? This will give you a rough idea of the amount of food you will need to order. Most couples invite between 70 and 120 guests.
Secondly, what type of food are you serving? If you are having a full three-course dinner, your guests may be too full to eat much cake. On the other hand, if you are having a buffet, your guests may save space for dessert. You could also opt for a two-course meal and use the cake as dessert, which would save money and guarantee that the cake gets eaten.
Thirdly, what other treats will be available? If you have a donut wall or a sweetie cart, your guests may be less likely to eat the wedding cake.
Finally, how many flavours of cake have you chosen? If you have a variety of flavours, your guests may want to try more than one slice.
Based on these factors, you can decide on the final number of slices of wedding cake you need to order. A good rule of thumb is to order the same amount of slices as the number of guests. However, if you want to ensure that everyone has enough for at least one slice and a taste of a second flavour, you may want to add an extra 20% to your order.
It is also worth noting that not everyone will eat cake, and some people may want seconds, so it is better to have a little too much than not enough.
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How many guests are invited?
The number of guests invited to a wedding can vary depending on several factors, such as the couple's preferences, budget, and venue capacity. According to sources, the average wedding size in America is around 120 guests. However, this number can be smaller or larger depending on the couple's wishes and circumstances.
For example, some couples may prefer a small, intimate wedding with only their closest friends and family, while others may want a grand celebration with an extensive guest list. In addition, factors such as budget constraints, venue size, and travel logistics can also influence the number of guests invited.
It is worth noting that the number of invited guests may not always match the number of attendees. On average, around 60-75% of invited guests will attend a traditional wedding, while for destination weddings, this percentage drops to around 50-70%. Therefore, it is essential to consider the likelihood of guests' attendance when creating the guest list and estimating the amount of food and cake needed.
In conclusion, the number of guests invited to a wedding can range from a few dozen to several hundred, depending on the couple's preferences, relationships, and practical considerations. By carefully considering their guest list and making informed estimates about attendance, couples can ensure they have enough cake and food to accommodate their guests and create a memorable celebration.
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What other treats will there be?
The number of sweet treats you offer alongside your wedding cake is a key consideration when deciding how much cake to order. The more alternative dessert options you provide, the less likely it is that your guests will eat the wedding cake.
If you're planning to have a dessert table, consider what other sweet options you want to include. For example, you could have a donut wall, a sweetie cart, or cupcakes. You could also offer a variety of small treats, such as doughnut holes, cookies, or brownies.
If you're offering a lot of sweet alternatives, you may want to reduce the number of cake slices you order. However, if you're only serving one other dessert option, you may want to order the same number of cake slices as guests to ensure everyone has the opportunity to try some.
If you're planning to have a variety of flavours for your wedding cake, you may want to order slightly more cake. Guests may be tempted to try more than one slice if there are lots of different flavours on offer.
If you're serving a full three-course dinner, your guests may be too full to eat much cake, so you might want to order less. However, if you're only serving a two-course meal or a buffet, your guests may be more inclined to indulge in a larger slice of cake, so you should order more.
Ultimately, the decision of how much cake to order depends on a variety of factors, including the number of guests, the amount of food served, and the variety of other treats available.
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How many flavours should you order?
When deciding how many flavours to order for your wedding cake, there are a few factors to consider.
Firstly, how many guests have you invited? This will give you a rough idea of the number of slices you will need. It is common for couples to order the same number of slices as guests, as most people will want to try the wedding cake. However, if you want to ensure everyone can have at least one slice and a taste of a second flavour, you may want to add an extra 20% to your order.
Secondly, how much food are you serving? If you are planning a full 3+ course dinner, your guests may be too full to eat much cake. On the other hand, if you are offering a buffet or using cake as dessert, people are more likely to save room.
Thirdly, what other treats will be available? If you are planning a donut wall or a sweetie cart, your guests may be less inclined to eat the wedding cake.
Finally, how varied are your chosen flavours? If you opt for different flavours such as lemon, sticky toffee, and chocolate, your guests may want to try more than one slice. However, if you choose variations on vanilla with different jams, they will probably just pick their favourite.
Remember, it's your wedding cake, so choose flavours you love! If you want to ensure you get to try each flavour, ask your venue to save you a slice of each.
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How much cake is too much cake?
The age-old question: how much cake is too much cake? Well, it depends on a few factors.
Number of Guests
Firstly, how many people have you invited? This will give you a rough idea of the number of servings you'll need. If you're planning to serve your wedding cake at the reception, where most of your guests will be present, this is a good place to start.
Food Served
Another factor to consider is how much food you're serving. If you're planning a full 3-course dinner, your guests might not have much room for cake. On the other hand, if you're offering a buffet or a 2-course meal, people might save space for dessert.
Other Treats
Don't forget to take into account any other sweet treats you'll be providing. If you've got a donut wall or a candy cart, your guests might be less inclined to indulge in a large slice of cake.
Number of Flavours
The more flavours you offer, the more likely people will be tempted to try more than one slice. If you've only got one flavour, it's unlikely that guests will go back for seconds.
Cake Size
Don't forget that when you cut the cake, you'll be taking a reasonably sized chunk out of one of the tiers. This can impact the number of slices you'll get, especially if your cake is on the smaller side.
Leftovers
While it's always better to have too much than too little, you don't want to be left with an excessive amount of leftover cake. Most couples order the same amount of slices as the number of guests they have. This usually evens out, as some guests might politely decline, while others might go for that second flavour. If you want to ensure everyone can have at least one slice and a taste of another flavour, you could add an extra 20% to your order.
Take-Home Treats
If you're concerned about leftovers, you could provide favour boxes for guests to take slices home. Alternatively, ask your venue to save you a slice of each flavour so you can enjoy them in the first few weeks of married life.
In conclusion, there's no definitive answer to the question of how much cake is too much. It depends on your guest count, the food and treats you're offering, and the number of flavours you choose. As a general rule, ordering the same number of slices as guests is a safe bet, with a little extra if you want to be sure.
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