How to Size a Wedding Cake
Wedding cake sizing is part math, part art. You need enough servings for every guest, but the cake also has to look proportional and dramatic on the table. This guide walks through the standard serving charts, tier configurations for common guest counts, and how to communicate with your baker.
Standard Servings by Tier Size (Round, 4" tall)
- 6" round: 12 wedding servings
- 8" round: 24 servings
- 10" round: 38 servings
- 12" round: 56 servings
- 14" round: 78 servings
- 16" round: 100 servings
Square cakes yield ~25% more servings per tier than round cakes of the same width. A 12" square cake yields about 72 servings vs. 56 for round.
Pro Tip: Many couples use a smaller "display cake" (2–3 tiers for 50 servings) and supplement with a sheet cake in the kitchen for the remaining guests. This saves hundreds of dollars while keeping the dramatic centerpiece.
Common Configurations
- 50 guests: 6" + 10" (2 tiers) = 50 servings
- 75 guests: 6" + 8" + 12" (3 tiers) = ~78–92 servings
- 100 guests: 6" + 10" + 14" (3 tiers) = 128 servings
- 150 guests: 6" + 8" + 10" + 14" (4 tiers) = 152 servings
- 200 guests: 6" + 8" + 10" + 12" + 16" (5 tiers) = 230 servings
What Does a Wedding Cake Cost?
Prices vary widely by region and decorator:
- Grocery store bakery: $2–$4 per slice
- Local bakery: $4–$8 per slice
- Custom cake designer: $8–$15+ per slice
For 120 guests at $8/slice, expect about $960 for the cake alone.
Watch Out: Fondant cakes cost 20–50% more than buttercream. If you want the clean fondant look on a budget, consider buttercream with a fondant-style smooth finish — many bakers can achieve this for less.
Use the calculator above to find the right configuration, then share the results with your baker as a starting point for your consultation.