Just came across this while I was sorting my own cake out and wish I had known some of this earlier. So hope this helps others.
How Many Tiers? All couples considering a tier wedding cake are faced with the same conumndrum, just how many tiers to have?
For some, two is too basic, three is too common, four is too showy and five or more is just too expensive! In truth, there isn't a right or wrong answer, and in most cases the correct decision comes down to just three factors; price (the more tiers, the more cost!), practicality (OK you'd love a 10 tiered wedding cake, but can you get hold of a stand and is the roof really tall enough!) and portions (whatever you do, don't run short - work out your guest numbers then add an extra 10-20% on to be on the safe side). Bearing this in mind, rather than simply selecting your favourite number, take stock of these three aspects before making any final decision as to the number of tiers you'll plump for.
Wedding Cake - Tier Chart The portion guide for choosing size and number of tiers below are only used as a reference as it is dependent on the caterers/person cutting the cake. For hexagon cakes use the chart for square cakes and hearts use the chart for round cakes.
I have a gorgeous husband!
2 brilliant wonderful boys, a wonderful life
in Cornwall. Happiest woman ever!
Now making our house a home. Blessing 2014.
CommentAuthorStevie_Dee
In the process of sorting the sponge/fruit figures as when I posted it screwed up the margins ahem xx
I have a gorgeous husband!
2 brilliant wonderful boys, a wonderful life
in Cornwall. Happiest woman ever!
Now making our house a home. Blessing 2014.
CommentAuthorLegoWife
I wonder why sponge and fruit give different amounts?
~Wedding made of Lego~
*Married 30/03/13*
CommentAuthorLauraCrossan
hi stevie when we went to see about our cake the lady told us that she can make a dummy cake,depending on how many tiers you want so it gives it height if tiers are what your going for,she showed us an example and you couldnt tell the difference,was great as we didnt want to be getting too much as it would go to waste. xxx
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
i wudnt want any more than 3, as it say too showy lol
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
I think, not 100% but as fruit is a lot richer they only cut thin slices of it compared to sponge. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
Thats a good idea Laura. I have heard of some people have fake cakes and having kitchen cake something like long slabs of iced cake for guests and they wouldn't notice any difference. I'm only having a 2 tier cake as I am getting married in Cyprus and have 47 guests. However we are having a celebration once back in the UK that will be a 3 tier cake, to include guests that couldn't make it. xx
I have a gorgeous husband!
2 brilliant wonderful boys, a wonderful life
in Cornwall. Happiest woman ever!
Now making our house a home. Blessing 2014.
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
yes stevie thats rite x
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorMel D
edited
I only wanted 2 tiers but was vetoed by Dan who said it would look silly. I think you're right about the fruit and sponge slices xx
Got married Sat 28/05/2011
Renewing vows Sat 29/05/2021
We're planning WELL in advance!!
CommentAuthorLauraCrossan
yeah its handy xxx
CommentAuthorbridalmiss
Yes fruit is more dense so slices easier and people only need a smaller piece of it - whereas sponge is lighter so guests will appreciate the larger pieces!
CommentAuthorStevie_Dee
Ooooo yes bigger the slice the better as far as I am concerned. Hoping to hide a big chunk just for me and h2b the morning after, with a huge cup of coffee.....and possibly some indigestion tablets for afters lol xx
I have a gorgeous husband!
2 brilliant wonderful boys, a wonderful life
in Cornwall. Happiest woman ever!
Now making our house a home. Blessing 2014.
CommentAuthorWifey2be
I love the info thanks stevie ;) x
CommentAuthorNicsquared
Thats reassuring - i think we should have enough cake :)
There are so many people out there who will tell you
what you can't do.
What you have to do is turn around and say, "watch me"!!
CommentAuthorKate4
This is massively helpful, thanks! My dad is making my cake. I wanted four tier but he's worried about assembling it...... So might go for 3 with another cake in the kitchen to cut up and serve too. x
CommentAuthorEcoFreak
We're going with cheesecake - seems to follow the same portion guidelines as sponge :) Xx
CommentAuthorJanie
doh i didnt see this earlier
we were going to have part fake cake when we wanted a 6 tier rainbos cake, ie each tier one colour of the pride rainbow. as this would have been far too much cake we were going to get polystyrene, and ice it, make the bottom 3 layers out of that, and lift off the top 3 when we wanted to cut them, which would have been the real cake. though i say 6 tiers we didnt want massize sized oens
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthorJanie
see- I DO NEED a huge cake for 170 guests :)
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthormadhen
Hmm, after reading this I'm beginning to think I will need a few extra tiers...! :/
CommentAuthorJanie
well if we kept ours to sponge i could have a bigger cake :) but seeing as i can only eat the wheat free, dairy free low suagr tier (yeeukk!) I dont care anyway ha ha
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthormadhen
Can wheat-free, dairy-free, low-sugar cakes be made?!
CommentAuthorKATG
I need a bigger cake than I thought
Mrs Wilson2B
Need to loose 5 stones and 2lbs
3 Stones 2 lbs lost so far!!!
Getting Married 3rd August 2013
CommentAuthorJanie
yes madhen they can! But i cant say theyre particularily tastey ha ha i have wheat free flour mix, splenda sweetner and dairy free margarine.
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthorkrissy905
you don't need extra tiers necessary if say you want a 3 tier but need to cater for 170 like Jaine most cake makers will make extra sheet cake in your chosen flavors which is then cut up in the kitchen and guest wont know the difference.
i also came a cross a lady at a wedding fair who makes cakes and actually hires out full sized dummy cakes for display and photos and sheet cake for the guests to eat works out a lot cheaper if you on a budget.
CommentAuthorJanie
noooo i want more tiers lol
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthormadhen
Good point Krissy...what they don't see they won't know about! Not sure about the dummy cake though, and I think I still kinda agree with Janie...more tiers!! Janie are you having flavoured sponge? Does that make it taste better??
CommentAuthorJanie
mine will be chocolate sponge with an orange filling.... theyre erm....edible shall we say lol. Theyre actually not TOO bad, but i would far rather prefer PROPER cake mmmmmm
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthormadhen
That does sound yummy though, will store that up for later on...
CommentAuthorNicsquared
bump
There are so many people out there who will tell you
what you can't do.
What you have to do is turn around and say, "watch me"!!
CommentAuthorBobsi
thanks. xx
Got together June 11th 2006
Getting married June 11th 2014
8 years to the day and I'll be Mrs T.
CommentAuthorNicsquared
bump
There are so many people out there who will tell you
what you can't do.
What you have to do is turn around and say, "watch me"!!