Huge Wedding Cakes

Average Cake Size

An average wedding cake is designed to feed between 120 and 300 guests with slices averaging one inch wide and two inches long. This generally means a wedding cake is between two and four tiers tall, depending on the shape and overall cake design. Many couples, however, need or prefer larger cakes for several reasons, such as:

• A larger guest list that requires a greater number of cake servings
• A desire for larger pieces of cake to be served
• Creating a more noticeable, photogenic cake that makes a bold statement
• A wish to preserve one or more cake tiers to celebrate anniversaries

No matter what the reason for a large cake, it is easy for couples to create a bold size for their wedding dessert.

Creating Huge Wedding Cakes

There are several ways that a wedding cake’s size can be increased without necessarily increasing the number of servings.

Tall cakes seem huge.

• Faux Tiers: Adding faux tiers to the bottom of the cake is a cost effective and easy way to make the cake seem larger. Two or three additional tiers can be made from foam that is iced to match the real cake, and the false tiers serve as a base for the actual cake. When cutting the wedding cake, the couple will simply cut a middle tier and the false layers will not be noticed.
• Tier Spacing: Cakes will appear smaller if the tiers are stacked directly on one another. To create the appearance of a larger cake, opt for a more unique wedding cake stand that separates each layer, or use pillars to space layers. Open space between the layers can be left as is or may be filled with flowers or other decorative accents.
• Tier Arrangements: If tiers are evenly and concentrically stacked the cake will appear smaller. To create the illusion of size, offset the tiers to create more visual space at the front of the cake.
• Decorations: How the cake is decorated can affect its size. Contrasting colors will help separate tiers, and more elaborate decorations will present the illusion of a greater size. Vertical lines such as a ribbon or floral cascade down the sides of the cake will also add height, as will a tall wedding cake top.
• Table Choice: How the cake is displayed can affect its size. The size of the cake table should closely match the size of the cake – too much extra space will make the cake seem smaller. If the cake table is placed apart from the head table and given a place of honor, it will add more emphasis, as will dramatic lighting effects such as an under lit table cloth. The decorations on the cake – rose petals, for example – can be extended to the table to further increase the illusion of size.

Using these tricks can make even average desserts seem like huge wedding cakes, no matter how many servings they offer or how many tiers are actually edible.

Downsizing Huge Cakes

Some couples need to order a huge cake because of a larger guest list, but they prefer a smaller, more delicate wedding cake. Just as a cake’s size can be increased through visual tricks, it is also easy to visually decrease a cake and decrease its cost simultaneously.

Separate tiers to add size.

• Sheet Cakes: A smaller wedding cake can be augmented with identically flavored sheet cakes for a fraction of the cost of adding more tiers to the large cake. Sheet cakes can be used as satellite cakes and displayed on the cake table if desired, or they can be kept out of sight until the cake is served.
• Cupcakes: Adding trays of cupcakes will ensure enough cake servings for each guest without adding size to the actual wedding cake.
• Smaller Servings: Couples can instruct the cake servers to slice smaller portions of cake to serve, therefore maximizing the number of servings without increasing the cake’s size.
• Top Layer Servings: Instead of saving the top layer of the cake to celebrate an anniversary, couples can serve it to their guests as well. The small top layer can usually be carved into eight or ten slices without difficulty.
• Dessert Buffets: Instead of adding more cake to the confection, couples can opt for additional desserts to create a full dessert buffet with a smaller wedding cake as its centerpiece. Cookies, tarts, wedding truffles, fondue, and fresh fruit are all suitable options to add sweet variety.

Huge Size Problems

The larger a wedding cake is, the more difficult it may be to create, and huge wedding cakes present a number of problems couples need to be aware of.

• Cost: Wedding cake prices are determined by a number of factors, including the total servings. Larger cakes naturally have higher prices.
• Setup Difficulty: A larger cake will be heavier and more complicated to set up. This can increase labor costs from the baker or may present additional wedding cake design challenges.
• Leftovers: Unless it is properly frozen, leftover cake can spoil quickly and a huge cake can create many leftover servings. Couples can give small pieces of cake away as favors, offer leftovers to family and bridal party members, or donate leftovers to local care facilities or charities.

Huge wedding cakes can be delicious and beautiful, but they can also create problems. There are many ways to increase or decrease a cake’s size without a huge budget, however, and every couple can find a sweet way to enjoy a larger cake that symbolizes the huge commitment they’ve made to one another.