Choosing The Right Table Height For A Grand Wedding Cake

A wedding cake is a wonderful tradition that serves as a piece of décor, a conversation starter, and a delicious treat. When it comes to choosing a cake size, it is important to consider the number of guests, the desired slice size, and the number of tiers. A standard wedding cake serving is a 1-inch by 2-inch slice, while a larger party-size slice measures 1.5-inches by 2-inches. Bakers often offer wedding cake tiers that are 4-inches or 5-inches tall, which should be considered in the sizing calculations. The average height per tier is 18 inches, with each layer of the cake being about 2 inches. The cake table is an important aspect to consider as well, with standard heights ranging from 30 inches to 42 inches.

Standard cake height

Some bakers are moving towards taller cakes, with each layer being 3 inches tall, resulting in cakes that are about 6 to 7 inches tall. These taller cakes can be more challenging to work with and require additional support, such as dowelling and extra cake circles, to prevent the bottom layers from buckling under the weight of the top layers.

When determining the height of your wedding cake, it's important to consider the number of guests you need to serve, the desired slice size, and any dietary restrictions or special requirements your guests may have.

Tall cakes

However, there are some challenges to consider when creating a tall cake. Firstly, the weight distribution of the cake may be uneven, making it harder to move and transport. Secondly, the height of each layer and the overall stability of the cake need to be carefully considered. While a standard two-layer cake with layers of 2 inches and a filling of 0.5 to 1 inch does not usually require additional support, a tall cake may need dowelling and an extra cake circle in the middle to prevent the bottom layers from collapsing under the weight of the top layers.

The height of the table for a 2-foot-high wedding cake should be considered to ensure stability and ease of transport. A 2-foot-high cake, or 24 inches, would be considered a "giant cake", and the height of the table should accommodate this impressive stature. A standard table height for a typical cake is around 30 inches, but a taller cake may require a higher table or a specially designed structure to display it securely.

When creating a tall cake, it is important to pay attention to the cake boards, dowelling, and stacking techniques. The cake board should be sturdy and not flex to support the weight of the cake. Dowelling, or using thin rods for support, may be necessary for cakes with more than three layers or if each layer is split into multiple layers. Additionally, a centre dowel may be required to keep the layers stacked evenly and prevent movement.

Overall, tall cakes can be a stunning addition to a wedding, but careful planning and execution are necessary to ensure stability and ease of transport.

Double-barrel cakes

To create a double-barrel cake, you typically bake two separate cakes of the same size and stack them using a sturdy support system, such as dowels or cake boards. The layers are filled and frosted together, resulting in a cohesive look.

Baking and Assembly:

• Instead of baking taller cake layers, bake two sets of cake layers with the standard height. This ensures even baking and prevents the outer edges from drying out.
• Use a cake board that is at least two inches wider than your cake layers. Acrylic or foam core are recommended for their strength; cardboard may buckle under the weight of a heavy double-barrel cake.
• Before adding more layers, insert supports such as boba straws or dowels into the first cake to stabilise it. Mark the exact height of the cake by pinching the straw, then cut the rest of the straws to match that length.
• Spread some buttercream or ganache on top of the cake to make it sticky, then press another cake board down. This second cake board should be the same size as the cake, but can be trimmed if it's bigger.
• Continue layering cake and filling, but do not make the second part of the cake taller than six inches.
• Use a central dowel to prevent the top cake from sliding sideways. Push it down through the top tier until it hits the cake board in the middle, then keep pushing until you feel the bottom cake board. Mark the dowel at the top, pull it out, cut it, and push it back in.

Frosting:

• Chilling the cake before frosting makes it less wobbly and easier to work with.
• Apply a crumb coat before the final coat of frosting to prevent crumbs in the final layer.
• The final coat of frosting should be as smooth as possible since this layer will be visible.
• Frosting a tall cake can be tricky, so consider using a cake comb that is at least as tall as the cake to smooth out the frosting.
• If you're a beginner, opt for a cake design with lots of piped texture or added details to cover up any imperfections.

Serving:

Cake table size

A 2-foot-high wedding cake is an impressive centrepiece for a wedding reception. The cake table should be large enough to accommodate the cake, with extra space for cake-cutting and serving. The table should also be sturdy and strong enough to bear the weight of the cake.

A 2-foot-high cake is likely to be a multi-tiered cake, with each tier consisting of multiple layers of cake and filling. A cake of this height will be top-heavy and may need internal support, such as dowelling, to prevent it from collapsing. It will also need a sturdy cake board at the base. The cake board should be at least 2 inches larger than the bottom tier of the cake.

A round 6-inch cake (the most common size for the top tier of a wedding cake) will serve about 12 guests, while a 10-inch cake (a typical size for the base tier) will serve about 38. A 2-foot-high cake will likely have several tiers, and may serve anywhere from 50 to 100 guests or more. The number of guests will determine the size of the cake table. A 36-inch round table is a typical size for a wedding cake, but a larger table may be needed for a very large cake.

The height of the table is also an important consideration. A standard-height table (about 30 inches) may be too low for a large cake, making it difficult to cut and serve the cake. A cocktail table (42 inches or higher) may be more suitable. A higher table will also ensure that the cake is visible to all the guests.

Cake servings

A 2-foot-high wedding cake is quite tall and will likely require additional support structures to be stable. This height is achieved by stacking multiple cake tiers, with each tier typically contributing a certain number of servings.

When determining cake servings, it's important to consider the number of guests and the desired portion size. Traditional wedding cake slices are typically around 1" by 2", while party servings are generally larger, such as 4" x 2" x 1" or triangular slices.

• A 1-tier cake (6" or 8" diameter) typically provides around 10-12 servings and is ideal for intimate weddings or as a supplementary dessert.
• A 2-tier cake (6" + 8" or 8" + 10" diameter) offers approximately 30-40 servings and is suitable for small to medium-sized gatherings.
• A 3-tier cake (6" + 8" + 10" or 8" + 10" + 12" diameter) can provide about 50-100 servings, making it perfect for medium to large weddings.
• A 4-tier cake (6" + 8" + 10" + 12" diameter) can serve 100-150 guests and is often reserved for grand celebrations.
• A 5-tier cake and above will serve 150-200 guests or more and is ideal for large weddings or extravagant affairs.

It's worth noting that these estimates can vary depending on the shape of the cake. Square cakes, for example, tend to yield more servings than round cakes due to their ability to be cut into more uniform portions.

Additionally, there are alternative serving options that can add a creative twist to your wedding dessert, such as cake shooters, cake pops, and cake jars. These options provide guests with bite-sized or mess-free treats while still offering a variety of sweet flavours.

Frequently asked questions