how much cake should I order?

The real question is… did your friends and family come to eat and party? answer is- “yes!” so get A LOT of cake. Ok, no, that’s not true, just a very bad bias joke!

I hate to tell you, but there’s no one real right answer to this question, every event is different! All I can really offer are suggestions, but please keep in mind: always try to stick to your budget and remember that not everyone is going to eat cake; there will always be people who either leave early or have dietary restrictions.

Bonus points: hire a baker who brings boxes for leftovers.

Below I’ve highlighted some common scenarios that I’ve seen in my many years of being in the industry. I hope you find this helpful!

• is cake your only dessert?

  • yes. order enough slices for everyone (within reason).

  • no. order the quantity minus the alternate dessert serving quantity, keep in mind that some people might take both options. so you may need a little more of both.

• is your guest count 50 or less?

  • order enough cake for everyone.

  • common sizes: single tiers, two tiers, 1/4 sheet cakes.

• is your guest count 55-65?

  • order approx. 5-10 servings less than your final guest count.

  • common sizes: 1x three tier, single tier + 1/2 sheet, or two tiers + 1/4 sheet.

• is your guest count 75-100 more?

  • order approx. 10-15 servings less than your final guest count.

  • common sizes: 1x three tier or two tier + 1/2 sheet + 1/4 sheet.

• is your guest count 100 or more?

  • order approx. 15-25 servings less than your final guest count.

  • common sizes: 1x three tier + supplemental sheet cakes or the sky is the limit depending on your final guest count and budget.

• best advice to ensure there’s not a lot of waste?

  • order the appropriate amount. if you know your families LOVE dessert, then order enough for everyone, if they’re not typically dessert people, get less servings.

  • do your “cake cutting ceremony” right after you (the couple) eats but before toasts/speeches. this way your caterer can immediately start serving slices during the toasts, this ensures everyone that wants a slice gets one and it gives your guests something to do during the toasts.

  • ask your baker their opinion and always request boxes for leftovers.

  • the most common thing I hear couples say is, “they didn’t get any cake” (besides the one they shared), a. CUT YOURSELVES A FAT SLICE, it’s your cake! b. ask your coordinator or caterer to save you some slices for later! nothing beats cake for breakfast!

when should I think about getting faux tiers?

• faux tiers are truly only meant for a few scenarios:

  1. do you plan on getting married in the dead of summer, having your cake displayed outdoors, and delivery during a room flip is not an option, then yes, I strongly encourage talking to your baker about faux tiers.

  2. are you wanting an over the top elaborate design, a true statement piece + your guest count is over 75, then yes, you should consider faux tiers.

  3. is your caterer price gouging you on a cutting fee? a. rude. b. consider a fake cake or a smaller single tier + sheet cakes.

• faux tiers are NOT meant to save money. not only are they expensive to buy, but they still use edible ingredients and take several hours to decorate. they are also not eco-friendly, it takes 400+ years to breakdown styrofoam in landfills.

• I strongly believe there is a time and place for them, I do love working with them, but I don’t believe they are always the best option.

xoxo!