Bespoke Wedding Cake - How much cake do you need?

One of the questions I get asked the most often is how much cake? Whether its for a birthday cake or a wedding cake people never know what size to order.

The questions you need to ask yourself are below once you have answered them you can check out the portion guide below.

Are  you are going to have your cake as a dessert?
If your not using it as dessert and only being used to top up the evening food, then you don't need to cater for everyone! I recommend that you go for around 75% of guests unless you are planning to keep a tier just for yourself! 

What time you will be cutting the cake?
If your not having any extra guests arrive in the evening then just skip this.
Its up to you when you cut it, though some hotels use the cutting of the cake a distraction to get guests in to another room so they can swap the tables around or tidy up before the evening party starts. Otherwise most people cut it in the evening once all the guests have arrived so everyone can see it. 

Below is a portion guide, for weddings use the dessert portions if you are having sponge and then the finger portions if you are having fruit cake as it can be cut smaller as its more stable.  

This is just a rough guide, the 6, 8, 10 inch round gives about 80 portions and is suitable for most weddings. ​ ​However if you need more portions, an extra tier, cupcakes or a cutting cake (a cake that is kept in the kitchen that is just plain iced) are a great way to make up extra portions. Now what does that look like in cake form?

Rustic three tier wedding cake set up at Buckland House. Fresh flowers by TWIGs in Braunton.

This is the size that is most often used for wedding cakes, you can have three different flavours within the tiers. Finished with the design of your choice. For more wedding cake ideas click here. 

If a tiered cake is not what you are looking for why not have cupcakes. With a choice of colours, flavours and order one per guest. Its a simple as that! Guests can then help themselves in the evening and it saves the venue having to cut and plate the cake. If you still want something to cut for your wedding photos then you can add a cutting cake to the cupcakes. 

Assorted cupcakes set up at The Beach, Bude. Fresh flowers by Church Park Flowers.

Assorted cupcakes and cutting cake set up at The Cedars Hotel, Barnstaple

I hope this has helped you decide on how much cake you need. If you want to now choose the flavours take a look at my wedding flavours here.