How big a wedding cake do I need?

Modern cake tiers are usually 5 inches tall

The most popular size of wedding cake I’m asked to make is a three tier, with a base tier of 10in diameter and a top tier of 6in diameter. Each tier is around 5in tall, and the whole cake yields 100-110 generous servings.

Couples expecting 150 guests often opt for a four tier cake, but with two dummy top tiers. giving them 140 servings.

This four tier cake served 240.

If you only need a cake to serve 60, two tiers will suffice, but I would recommend a taller base tier, as a two tier cake can look unfinished if the tiers are the same height. this taller tier can be divided with a board inside the cake so that you can have two different flavours.

If you have a venue with very high ceilings, a marquee or have planned tall floral centrepieces for the tables I’d suggest giving your cake extra height with dummy tiers so that it’s visible across the space.

To serve your wedding cake, your caterer will separate the tiers (each will be on a board), remove the dowels that have been inserted to support each tier, and cut each cake into a grid pattern. This creates neat finger portions, which will sit on a dessert plate leaving room for a garnish of berries. Large cakes should not be cut ‘around the clock’..

If you are catering for guests with special dietary needs, don’t try to accommodate them within the cake itself, It’s impossible to avoid contamination between tiers during the construction and serving of the cake. Instead order cupcakes that meet their needs and match the design of your cake. Make sure your cake maker can deliver these in sealed plastic pods and label them clearly.

If you have guests staying over at your venue, order extra cake, so that you can enjoy it for breakfast with coffee. Your jaded pals will love you for this.

Use this guide to calculate the size of cake you need