2" Or 4" Difference In Tier Sizes For Wedding Cake

Decorating By i_love_icing Updated 21 Jun 2006 , 1:20pm by Jenn123

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i_love_icing Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 7:51pm
post #1 of 17

If I'm making 3 round stacked tiers, each torted into 3 layers with two layers of filling, would it look best to have them be 4 inches different in size, or just 2 inches? It should feed about 100 people, for an early afternoon reception.

Thanks!

16 replies
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PieceofCakeAZ Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 7:58pm
post #2 of 17

I really prefer 2" or 3" gap. A lot of companies use 4" gaps but it just doesn't work as well visually for me but we do it sometimes.

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KHalstead Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 8:01pm
post #3 of 17

really depends on the look you're going for and there are variables.....for instance...what kind of border are you putting around your cakes......bigger border will require a larger difference in size.......personally I like the look of both depending on the border......if you're putting roses all the way around...obviously you'll need a larger difference.......small pearls won't require as much difference.

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BJ Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 8:03pm
post #4 of 17

You'll notice if you look around that most professionals use the 4" difference unless specifically requested by the recipient. It's personal preference but I think a 4" difference in tier size looks much more professional and eye appealing. Just MPO. thumbs_up.gif

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xandra83 Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 8:06pm
post #5 of 17

I like a 4" difference, but I'm doing a wedding cake this weekend that is only going to be a 2" difference because i have to do some draping and a 4" difference woudn't allow the fondant to drape well. It would just kind of sit on the top of the next tier. It just depends on your cake and border like BJ said.

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JulieB Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 11:27pm
post #6 of 17

It really depends on what you are doing with the cakes, and if there is a lot of decoration on the base of each tier. Most of what I see that looks best with just a 2" difference, each cake is very simple, with decorations that are very "trim".

Look through books, do you have some old Wilton Yearbooks? A good one might be the Celebrate with Fondant book, or the new Tier Cakes book.

For buttercream with buttercream flowers, I think a 4" difference is best.

Just really depends on the cake, I think.

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Jenn123 Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 11:47pm
post #7 of 17

I prefer a 4" difference if they are stacked, but it seems I always have to do a 2" because the bride doesn't need that much cake. It's a matter of taste really. I like a 4" on the bottom and a 2" on the middle if you aren't sure. 12-8-6 looks good this way.

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dsoutherngirl Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 11:59pm
post #8 of 17

I'm struggling with this also. I have a wedding of 200 to do. The bride wants the 6-inch cake on top. I was thinking at first 16, 12, 8 and 6 but now that seems off balance. Is there a better solution? I would rather not go over 4 tiers.

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Jenn123 Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 12:04am
post #9 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsoutherngirl

I'm struggling with this also. I have a wedding of 200 to do. The bride wants the 6-inch cake on top. I was thinking at first 16, 12, 8 and 6 but now that seems off balance. Is there a better solution? I would rather not go over 4 tiers.




I think 16-12-8-6 will look good stacked. If she wants any separations it would really be nice to put one between the 12 & 8.

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dsoutherngirl Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 12:09am
post #10 of 17

I'm sorry. I left out that info! It will be stacked, no columns or anything. Do you think those size layers are sufficient for that number of people? I do plan on making each tier 3-layers so that it's 3 1/2-4 inches high (the layer).

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Jenn123 Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 12:11am
post #11 of 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsoutherngirl

I'm sorry. I left out that info! It will be stacked, no columns or anything. Do you think those size layers are sufficient for that number of people? I do plan on making each tier 3-layers so that it's 3 1/2-4 inches high (the layer).




Yes, I think it will be fine. Good Luck!

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i_love_icing Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 2:13am
post #12 of 17

She wants it to be covered in coconut with a few flowers placed on it. So there won't be any border. I wish I had the pans to stack up for her to decide. Maybe we'll take a trip to Hobby Lobby and see.

Thanks for all your help!

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dsoutherngirl Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 2:22am
post #13 of 17

The coconut cake will be beautiful! I would think 14, 10 and 6 would be great especially since you will have a lot of coconut, the extra inches might help define the edges of the cake. Good luck with what you decide!

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candyladyhelen Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 2:22am
post #14 of 17

I prefer a 4" difference. I like the look of it.

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Jenn123 Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 12:53pm
post #15 of 17

I love the 14-10-6 also but it will serve 150.

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dsoutherngirl Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 1:16pm
post #16 of 17

See, this is the part I find confusing. Do you count the top tier or not? Because doesn't the bride normally save it?

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Jenn123 Posted 21 Jun 2006 , 1:20pm
post #17 of 17

No don't count the top...but it only serves about 10 or less

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