Do you use cake drums under stacked wedding cakes? Or would you use plywood? Can the cardboard drums support the weight of a 4 tier fondant cake? And what size would you recommend for the base - the bottom layer is 16" - would you go w/ a 20" or a 22"?
Another question - the second tier is 12" followed by an 8 and 6. Should i double the cake boards underneath? or use something like masonite?
Hi!
For a cake this heavy...I would for sure use a good thick wood or masonite board. I did a 4 tier wedding cake a few weeks ago(bottom layer 15 inches) and had a local cake supply cut the wood for me. I also used double cardboards for the other tiers. Make sure you use lots and lots of dowels!
As for you board size...it really depends on how big your border will be and if you will be placing it on a plateau. I only used a 17 inch board(2 inches larger) since my border was not that big. I did not want to go too big since the cake was to be placed on an 18 inch plateau.
Since your bottom tier is 16 inches...I think I would go with an 18inch or 20 inch. 
I'd go with something strong for those sizes cakes! It's a lot of cake and a lot of weight! I think I'd use plywood or masonite under the 16in (probably 20in, 22 if it's going to have flowers around it or something), double cake board under the 12in, but the 8in & 6in should be OK with a single board. Make sure you dowel all the tiers really well! Good luck with it 
Thank you Traci for your help! All your cakes are beautiful! You must be a very busy decorator, judging by the cakes in your gallery!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%