Planning your wedding? From Detroit wedding venues to Ann Arbor caterers, every detail matters, especially your wedding cake! One of the most common questions engaged couples ask their wedding cake bakeries is, "How much cake should we order?" It's a sweet dilemma – you want enough for everyone to enjoy, but you don't want a mountain of leftovers.
Are You Offering Other Desserts?
Main Dessert (Cake Only): If your wedding cake is the only sweet offering, and it is served to guests at their table, then plan for one slice per guest. If it is placed on a dessert table for guests to help themselves, you can plan for up to 20% less.
Dessert Table/Buffet: If you're planning a lavish dessert table with cupcakes, cookies, macarons, brownies, or other delectable treats, you can reduce your wedding cake servings to about 0.75 slices per guest, or even 0.5 slices. Guests will likely sample a few different items!
Late-Night Snacks: If you're serving a full meal and late-night bites, some guests might skip dessert or take only a small piece.
Timing of Cake Cutting:
Served as Dessert: If the cake is served immediately after dinner, more guests are likely to partake. Plan for a higher percentage.
Later in the Evening/Alongside Dancing: Guests might be on the dance floor or chatting, and fewer may line up for cake.
Consult with your Coordinator or DJ for an ideal time to serve the cake to ensure no cake goes to waste.
Guest Demographics: Believe it or not, this can play a role! Younger crowds might be more inclined to dance than sit down for cake, while older guests often appreciate a traditional dessert. Consider your cultural background also, as many cultures have different traditions surrounding wedding cake.
Saving the Top Tier: Many engaged couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary. Be sure to exclude this from your serving calculations!
Understanding Wedding Cake Serving Charts
Wedding cake bakeries generally use standardized serving charts based on the size and shape of your tiers. Here's a general guide for round cakes:
6-inch round: 14 servings
8-inch round: 26 servings
10-inch round: 38 servings
12-inch round: 56 servings
14-inch round: 78 servings
16-inch round: 100 servings
For square cakes, you generally get more servings from the same diameter.
Common Tiered Cake Combinations (approximate servings):
Two-Tier (6” + 8”): ~40 servings
Three-Tier (6” + 8” + 10”): ~78 servings
Three-Tier (8” + 10” + 12”): ~120 servings
Four-Tier (6” + 8” + 10” + 12”): ~134 servings
The Dessert Table Factor
If you're opting for a wedding dessert table in addition to your wedding cake, here's a good rule of thumb for the additional treats:
Mini Desserts (cookies, brownies, macarons, mini cupcakes): Plan for 2-4 bite-sized items per guest. If you have many options, guests will try a few.
Larger Individual Desserts (cupcakes, mini pies): One per guest is usually sufficient.
Your Ann Arbor or Detroit wedding dessert professional can help you tailor this perfectly to your vision.
Pro Tips for Michigan Wedding Cake Planning:
Consult Your Baker Early: Your wedding cake baker is your best resource! They have experience with serving sizes and can guide you based on your specific guest count, menu, and desired aesthetic. We recommend reaching out around 6 months or earlier before your wedding.
Consider Dummy Tiers: If you dream of a grand, multi-tiered wedding cake but don't need all those servings, ask about "dummy" or “faux” tiers. These are decorative, non-edible tiers that add height and drama without the extra cost of edible cake.
Sheet Cakes are Your Secret Weapon: For larger guest counts, many Detroit and Ann Arbor wedding bakeries offer sheet cakes to supplement your beautiful tiered cake. These are typically less expensive per serving and can be kept in the kitchen, making it easy for your caterers to serve without compromising the look of your display cake. We like to build our kitchen cakes just like the wedding cake, with 4 layers of cake. That way each guest has slices that look the same and no one feels like they got the cheap slices.
Factor in Dietary Restrictions: If you have guests with allergies or dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan), ensure your wedding cake or dessert table offers suitable alternatives. This might slightly reduce the number of traditional cake slices you need.
By considering these factors and working closely with your chosen Detroit or Ann Arbor wedding cake bakery, you can confidently order the perfect amount of delicious wedding cake for your special day, ensuring every guest gets a sweet taste of your celebration!
We would love to help you plan the perfect wedding cake! Schedule a complimentary consultation call with us today!