Wedding Cake And Cupcakes: Perfect Portion Planning

Planning a wedding involves a plethora of decisions, and one of the most important is choosing the perfect wedding cake. But with modern weddings breaking away from tradition, the question arises: What size wedding cake do you need if you're also serving cupcakes?

The size of your wedding cake ultimately depends on your guest count, serving preferences, and design aspirations. If you're serving cupcakes as well, you'll need to adjust the number of portions accordingly.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for approximately 1.5 standard-size cupcakes per guest if cupcakes are the primary dessert. If you're offering multiple cupcake flavours, it's a good idea to provide at least 2 cupcakes per guest, as some guests may want to sample more than one flavour.

In addition to cupcakes, you'll want to ensure you have enough wedding cake to offer a slice to 75-85% of your guests. A single-tier cake typically serves 10-30 guests, while a two-tier cake can serve 40-60, a three-tier cake 70-90, and so on.

By considering your guest count and the number of portions you'll need for both cupcakes and cake, you can determine the appropriate size for your wedding cake.

Cake slices vs cupcakes

When planning a wedding, it's essential to consider how much cake to order to ensure all guests get a taste of the delicious dessert. The standard wedding cake serving size is 1x2 inches, known as a finger slice, which is suitable for casual enjoyment later in the evening. If serving the cake as dessert, a larger slice of 2x1x4 inches is more appropriate.

The number of tiers on a wedding cake influences the number of servings it can provide. A single-tier cake, ideal for intimate weddings, typically serves 10 to 30 guests. A two-tier cake caters to 40-60 guests, a three-tier cake to 70-90, a four-tier cake to 100-150, and a five-tier cake to 170-210. For weddings with over 220 guests, a six or seven-tier cake is necessary.

The shape of the cake also affects the number of servings. Round cakes, the traditional choice, yield the following portions:

• 6-inch cake: About 10-12 portions
• 8-inch cake: About 20-24 portions
• 10-inch cake: About 30-38 portions
• 12-inch cake: About 40-50 portions

Square cakes offer more flexibility in portion sizes and can be cut into uniform slices. They provide a higher number of servings than round cakes of the same size:

• 6-inch square cake: About 12-18 portions
• 8-inch square cake: About 32-40 portions
• 10-inch square cake: About 50-60 portions
• 12-inch square cake: About 72-96 portions

If you're serving cupcakes alongside the wedding cake, the number of cupcakes needed depends on whether they are the primary dessert or part of a dessert table. As a rule of thumb, for most gatherings, it's recommended to have approximately 1.5 standard-size cupcakes per guest. If there are multiple flavours, consider that some guests will likely try more than one. For weddings with other desserts, 1.25 cupcakes per guest should suffice.

Number of guests

The number of guests at your wedding will be the most important factor when determining the size of your wedding cake.

If you are only serving cupcakes at your wedding, a good rule of thumb is to have approximately 1.5 standard-size cupcakes per guest. This number will vary depending on whether there will be other desserts or more than one flavour of cupcake. If you are having more than one dessert, 1.25 cupcakes per guest is recommended. If you are offering more than one flavour of cupcake, you should plan for 1.5 cupcakes per guest, as some people will likely try other flavours.

If you are serving cupcakes in addition to a wedding cake, you will need to adjust the number of cupcakes and the size of the cake accordingly. For example, if you are having a two-tier cake that serves 60 guests, you can have enough cupcakes for a portion of your guests, allowing for a variety of dessert options.

A single-tier wedding cake can serve between 10 and 30 guests, making it a popular choice for smaller, more intimate weddings. A two-tier cake is suitable for small to medium-sized gatherings, serving approximately 30-40 guests. A three-tier cake is perfect for medium to large weddings, providing about 50-100 servings. A four-tier cake can serve 100-150 guests, while a five-tier cake offers 150-200 servings. For weddings with more than 220 guests, a six- or seven-tier cake is recommended.

It is important to note that the shape of your wedding cake also affects the number of servings. Round cakes are typically cut into uniform slices, while square cakes can be cut into various sizes, allowing for larger or smaller portions as needed. A 6-inch round cake yields about 10-12 portions, while a 6-inch square cake serves about 12-18 portions.

Tier heights

The height of each tier of a wedding cake is an important consideration when planning a wedding. Traditional wedding cake tiers are round and approximately 3-4 inches tall, but modern wedding cakes often feature taller tiers, usually around 7-8 inches.

The height of each tier will affect the overall height of the cake and the number of servings that can be cut from it. A taller cake will be more elegant and can accommodate more flowers or other decorations. It will also provide larger portions, which is ideal if the cake is to be served as a dessert at the end of the meal.

When planning a wedding cake, couples usually work with a baker to determine the appropriate tier heights based on their desired number of servings and overall design. For example, a three-tier round wedding cake consisting of a 10-inch cake (base), an 8-inch cake (middle), and a 6-inch cake (top) would provide approximately 74 servings.

In addition to the height of each tier, the shape of the cake also plays a role in maximizing portions. Square cakes, for instance, are easier to cut into uniform portions, making them ideal for larger weddings where maximizing servings is a priority. Hexagonal or octagonal cakes offer even more surface area than round cakes, allowing for additional servings.

Tier diameters

The number of tiers and guests you are inviting to your wedding will determine the diameter of your wedding cake.

A single-tier cake is ideal for small, intimate weddings, serving 10-30 guests. For this type of gathering, you could opt for a 6-inch or 8-inch diameter cake.

A two-tier cake is suitable for small to medium-sized weddings, serving 40-60 guests. You could choose a 6-inch and 8-inch tier or an 8-inch and 10-inch tier.

A three-tier cake is perfect for medium to large weddings, serving 70-90 guests. Tier diameters could be 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch, or 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.

A four-tier cake is reserved for grand celebrations with over 100 guests. Tier diameters could be 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.

A five-tier cake is ideal for large weddings or extravagant affairs with 170-210 guests. Tier diameters could be 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch.

For weddings with 220+ guests, a six- or seven-tier cake is recommended.

Other desserts

If you're serving cupcakes at your wedding, it's important to consider how many guests will be attending, how many cupcakes you'll need, and whether you want to offer other desserts as well. Here are some ideas for "Other Desserts" to serve alongside cupcakes at your wedding:

Dessert Shooters

Also known as dessert shots or mini desserts, these are small, individual portions of sweet treats served in shot glasses or other small containers. They offer a variety of flavours and textures in a compact, visually appealing way. Some popular options include chocolate truffle, strawberry shortcake, lemon blueberry, banana pretzel, and Valencia orange.

Petite Desserts

Another option for bite-sized treats, petite desserts can be passed around or set up creatively at your wedding. Like dessert shooters, they allow guests to sample different flavours without committing to a full-sized portion. Options include miniature chocolate pecan pies, chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and more.

Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a versatile and elegant choice that can be customised with various flavours, such as raspberry swirl, chocolate, or salted caramel. It's a dessert that works for any season and can be made in smaller batches to provide multiple options for your guests.

Macarons

These delicate French confections are made from almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, resulting in smooth, crisp shells and soft, chewy interiors. They come in a wide array of colours and flavours and can be customised with monogram designs, edible metallic accents, or decorations that reflect your interests.

Donut Displays

Donuts offer a diverse range of flavours, from classic glazed and powdered sugar to unique options like maple bacon, matcha, or fruity varieties. Donut displays can be customised to match your wedding theme or colour scheme and add an interactive element to your celebration.

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Creating an ice cream sundae bar is a fun, interactive way to serve dessert. Set up a table with ice cream and a variety of toppings, such as sprinkles, nuts, fresh fruit, candies, and different sauces. This option is also great as a late-night snack.

Fruit Skewers

Fruit skewers are a light and refreshing option, especially if you're having an outdoor or summer wedding. Feature a variety of fresh, in-season fruits that complement your wedding theme.

Frequently asked questions