Deciding on the size of wedding cake you need and want are two very different things! So I would encourage any couple to decide what style of cake they like first and then work with their cake designer to ensure their chosen design will cater for their guest numbers.
There are obviously more practical factors as well such as the size of your guest list, so I have broken down what I advise couples to consider below:
1. Style of Cake:
For me, the most important factor! I would encourage couples to not feel limited or restricted to certain designs based on how much cake they need. For example, if you’re having an intimate wedding but would like a real showstopper cake, talk to your cake designer about using 1 or 2 faux tiers or using ‘spacers’ like in the design below, to add height and impact. Similarly, if you’re having a large wedding but only want a small cake for cutting or simply a more petite design, thats fine too!
2. Dessert
On a more practical note, deciding whether you’re offering your cake as a dessert after your main course or whether you’re serving it with your finger buffet will affect the amount of cake you need. As a general rule of thumb, a dessert portion is twice the size of a finger buffet portion and therefore, if you’re serving it as a dessert, you’ll need twice as much cake.
3. Guest count
If you simply want a cake that caters for your guest numbers, share this with your cake designer and they will be able to advise you on what size cake you will need. In this instance, I typically advise couple to cater for about 80% of their guests numbers. Here’s some examples based on standard height cake tiers:
- 50 guests: Cater for approx. 40 portions – small 2 tier cake
- 100 guests – cater for approx. 80 portions – 3 tier cake
- 190 guests – cater for approx 150 portions – 4 tier cake
4. Leftovers
So many couples miss out on enjoying a slice of their cake on their wedding day as they’re too busy chatting to their guests! So you may want to factor in some extra portions to take home with you after the wedding – perhaps the top tier?
5. Dessert Table
Are you considering offering a dessert table as well as cake? If so, I would recommend opting for a smaller cake with a selection of dessert table items. For example, if you have 100 guests, perhaps choose a two tier cake with a selection of sweet treats such as macarons, cakesicles and sugar biscuits. Your guests will not only have a host of delicious goodies to choose from but also a stunning display!
Image credits: Aga Hosking Photography (cover image) Hannah Argyle Photography (Image 1), Melissa Megan photography (image 2-4), Megan Daisy Photography (Image 5), Jamie Edward Photography (Image 6-8)