Hi, I need to make a stacked cake to feed 285. The pans I own are 14", 12", 10", 9", 8", 6". My question is this, I'm going to buy a larger pan, has anyone used the 18" half round? I'm a little scared because it's 4 cakes you have to put together and have all even. And my other question is for the rest of the cake, my pans only go up by 2", does anyone ever stack like that or do you have a greater difference in pan size? I could make a sheet cake to go with it, but I would like at least a 4-tier cake for looks.
Thanks

I've never used the 18" half round pan, but I have and have used the 16" round pan... it's a monstrosity to use too.... very hard to flip, get even and I was terrified of breaking it because of the size. I've done many wedding cakes with only 2 inches been the pan sizes. As for as presentation, to me, I like more than 2 inches in size between the tiers .. however, in your circumstance, you probably won't have that option... have you ever thought about doing the tiered cake with the pans you have and serving sheet cakes to make the 285 serving amount? It would probably make it much easier for you if the bride would agree to that.

I'll offer you a bump in regards to serving amount. Even if you went with a 14, 12, 10, and 8 you will be short on servings.

As for spacing, I do like a 4 inch difference between layers, but I have made stacked cakes with a 2 inch difference, and they don't look bad. It just depends what you're going to do to decorate the edges and if you need more room than a 2 inch difference will allow.

Hope that helped a little.
Angie

Do they want all those servings in the actual wedding cake-- or could you do a smaller cake and have sheet cakes to make up the additional servings???

The picture the bride showed me is a stunning 5 tier with tan ribbon, white frosting and greenery up the sides on a site called marmaladecakecompany.com. If you scroll through the wedding cake pics I thinks its the 16th one. Does anyone have a guess what sizes those tiers might be?

Thanks for the info, I sent her a message. She does beautiful work!

I am doing a wedding cake using the 18" half round in 6 weeks. It will be my first time using it. The advice I was given was to put the first layer together and then when I put the second layer together to make sure I placed it so the center seam was at 90 degree angle from the bottom center seam for better stability. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I just checked and i will be able to use my Wilton wire leveler on the 18" halfs - so that should help my leveling troubles. I will be forced to free hand it on the 14" and 12".

Looking at the cake you mentioned -- I agree with golf girl on the sizes estimate.
Best of luck!

I totally missed this post!

Thanks Golfgirl1227, you got it perfectly right anyway! The cake was exactly a 6"/8"/10"/12"/14" with the cymbidium orchids:

Yeah for antonia74!!! I am so glad you are on this site!!! I love love love your cakes, you are so talented!!

Pretty cake!