I am doing a four tier stacked wedding for next weekend. The sizes are 6', 8', 10' and 12'. How many straws do I use for each one? And these things will hold this cake up...right??? I told u...anxious...LOL thanks...Linda

I have never used straws, but for a cake that large I would use dowel rods (either the wooden or plastic) instead...........rather be safe than sorry!

I second the dowel or pillar idea - especially for an important event like a wedding.

I would be nervous too, I used straws once. Dowels a few times, I find they can displace, lean. So now I use SPS. I feel quite secure in that. I did a 3 tier cake, drove it 75 mi. in the heat, on a truck seat (bench). It didn't budge. Oh and the free way was like a wash board over half the way. As for dowels, there is a tuitorial, done by Tonedna (sp?)., on you tube. Maybe someone else can help you.

SPS!

SPS is your safest bet. But if you don't have that, bubble straws are safer and sturdier than wooden dowels because you don't displace cake, they have a wider base to keep them upright. Any architect will tell you that the structure of a bubble tea straw will actually support more weight than a dowel can.

I only use the straws, up to 5 layers!, ALL the cakes in my gallery were transported successfully using straws.

I've used bubble tea straws for up to five layers and never had a issue.
Good Luck! I'm sure it will be fine.
Jodi

personally I would use the large plastic supports (Wilton) for the bottom 2 tiers, then you would be okay for the tea straws on the top 2.

I like to use the heavy duty stuff on the tiers supporting all the weight.

Of course, I'd use SPS. But then I use SPS on every tiered cake. Always.

Try it - you'll be a convert!

sorry for interupting this post but I've just started reading these forums. What is SPS? Or what does it stand for so I can google it? Thanks!

Single Plate System. Leah_s wrote a great tutorial on it:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-603925.html

thanks so much!

I've never done a wedding cake yet, but if I was going to make one, I know I would absolutely use the SPS. I would NOT take any chances on a cake that important.

If you don't have time to do the sps system by next weekend I think Thumbs advice to use the Wilton fat plastic dowels for just the bottom tier is a really good idea. The bubble tea straws are strong and should hold but to be absolutely safe the Wilton fat dowels on the bottom will really give you piece of mind. If you're really nervous then maybe putting dowels or lollipop sticks in the bubble tea straws is another safety measure too - good luck on the wedding cake

If you order SPS from Global Sugar Art, they always deliver very quickly. You should have them by next weekend.

I just watched my SugarShack DVD on Successful Stacking and she demonstrated using bubble straws...she stacked a 4 tier with them and I feel much better about using them...so I'm going to give it a shot using the Wilton plastic dowels on the bottom and the tea straws on the smaller ones. If I have problems with it I will go with SPS as I have not heard one bad thing about that either...LOL Thanks for all the great advise...I do appreciate it!!! Linda

I agree that bubble straws are better than dowels. They are easier to get even than either the dowels or Wilton fat dowels unless you have a saw or something to cut them other than a serrated knife. I love the SPS too, but bubble straws especially in the top two tiers are ok. You put them 2" apart and I also put some in the center also if I use them. The dowels definitely shift easily and never will I use them again. Good Luck on the wedding cake.

If you watched Sugar Shack dvd you will be fine using the straws. Again good luck!

I myself only trust the stress free support system. I have used it several times and it's wonderful. I never have to worry when I use this system. And if the inventor can stand on it then I think it can support any cake.
http://www.stressfreecakes.com/public/about-us

I agree the stress free support system is awesome and easy to use. Definitely the best system ever. I have purchased two sets. One is diminished due to no return. The hall threw them away, was the story I got. Due to circumstances not involving the cake itself I didn't push the issue. Nothing to do with anything I did, but things happen. I would love to get another one too. The gauge I got with them is great for measuring the bubble straws too. I never used them till I saw Sugar Shacks dvd. Great DVD!