Depending who you ask, the cutting of the wedding cake either stems from a tradition representing the first task a husband and wife perform together or it brings good luck to all those who take a bite. Either way, it’s a good time and it’s often the last formality before the dancing begins!

The question is, however, how much cake do you actually need?

Let’s start with the basics.

Every cake maker has different standard tier sizes but, generally, they’re measured in inches and described in tiers.

So, a 6 X 9 X 12 (pronounced 6 by 9 by 12) refers to a three-tiered cake (as there are three numbers), the top tier measuring 6 inches wide, the second 9 inches wide and the third 12.

Ask your cake maker exactly what sizes they can do so you are all on the same page.

Remember most places can do different flavoured tiers too, gone are the days of fruitcake no one likes.

These days a lot more cakes are trending towards taller with narrower tiers giving more impact in a smaller cake, but you do you.

Will your cake be the dessert?

Check with your venue that they allow you to bring in a cake from another vendor, if yes then yay, save on dessert costs and serve just cake! If you are doing it this way, you can often have a main cake on show and additional cakes out the back to make sure you have enough for everyone. Most venues will cut the cake for you after the traditional cutting of the cake slice has been made but make sure you give them specifics on how you would like this done…

This leads to the next point, portion size.

Wedding cake servings are typically described as either a dessert portion or a wedding portion. A wedding portion is a small finger about 1inch squared and designed really as more of a taster to have post dessert with tea and coffee.

This allows a smaller cake to go much further but make sure when you are getting different quotes you ask for the quotes for the cake size not the number it serves as this can vary greatly and each cake maker will have a slightly different idea of exactly what this means.

But I haven't got my RSVP'S yet...

Generally, you are required to lock in a cake size long before the cut off for your RSVP’s so as a rule of thumb count on 20% of your invited guests not being able to make it, generally not everyone has cake either so you are much better ordering cake for fewer than you think you will need. To this day I have never ever seen a whole wedding cake get eaten (feel free to prove me wrong). Don’t forget, cake makers are making money off you too, so they will always lean towards suggesting you order more.

A note on DIY-ing your cake....

Although it can seem tempting, as cakes for an average wedding sit at about $500 you might not save a whole lot if you try to bake it yourself.

I made mine with my sister and we spent about $250 in ingredients and a large number of stressful hours putting it together, not trying to put you off but there is a reason these things cost a bomb.

As well as the cost of the ingredients you need to think about where you will store an iced cake if you make it yourself before hand, how long it will last and how on earth you are going to get it to the venue.

If you do decide to go down the DIY road, make sure you pack a little container of extra icing in the car so you can do last minute touch ups if it doesn’t make it safely. There are a few good recipes for wedding cakes on the blog so make sure you check them out if you are brave. HERE

SO HOW MUCH CAKE??

30 – 60 guests

Tiers: 2
Width: (7 X 10)
Height: 3 inches
Portion size: 1 finger

60 – 120 guests

Tiers: 2
Width: (9 X 12)
Height: 3 inches
Portion size: 1 finger

120 – 190 guests

Tiers: 3
Width: (6 X 9 X 12)
Height: 3 inches
Portion size: 2 fingers

180 – 250 guests

Tiers: 3
Width: (6 X 9 X 12)
Height: 3 inches
Portion size: 1- 2 fingers (depending on whether your wedding cake is square rather than round)

Remember, a finger is a pretty loose measurement, so will vary depending on who’s cutting, also generally you get more servings out of a square cake as it’s easier to cut and easier to serve neatly.

Enjoy!

Images : www.abrowntable.com // http://www.callmecupcake.se/

But how much cake do I actually need? All the cake questions answered...