I've been asked to do a wedding cake for about 150 people, and I'm seeing such variances in how big of a cake I will need depending on where I look. According to Wilton or Earlene, a 6" 9" and 12" cake will feed about 70. Now I just read in The Cake Bible... and this is a quote "The average size wedding cake consists of 3 tiers- 12", 9", and 6"-- and feeds about 150 people."

Clearly there is a HUGE difference b/n 70 and 150 servings! If anyone can please give me some advice on realistically how big a cake I will need I will greatly appreciate it.

Sure. I do wedding cakes almost exclusively and have been dong so for about 10 years.

GO BY THE WILTON CHART.

1. ALL caterers cut by that chart anyway, so if you use any other, you'll probably be giving away free cake.
2. You will provide PLENTY of cake for the guests.
3. you will make more $.

6/9/12 = 100 servings using the entire cake.

What leahs said. In triplicate. In ink. and then etched in stone.

In the wilton book, the serving numbers are different from a party to a wedding...a cake 8" round for a party serves 20 but for a wedding it serves 24 because the pieces are supposed to be cut smaller.

I always use the Wilton chart for my wedding cakes and have had no complaints about the size of the portions. Just make sure that the couple are going to cut the entire cake and not keep the top tier for the anniversary because that will then require additional cake to make your serving count.

I'm with Leah too. And don't forget the part where you sell by Earlene's (cause you're such a kind and generous cake lady) and then the servers cut by Wilton and the bride gets pissed cause you talked her into too much cake based on the leftovers!