I Know That This Question Has Been Asked A Thousand Times...
Decorating By RRGibson Updated 20 Jul 2007 , 12:46pm by majormichel
I'm sure newbies everywhere have asked this question. But, I have a bride who wants a wedding cake for 100 people. I've read a thousand books and looked at a thousand charts and I still can't seem to figure out what size tiers I need to recommend for her.
The cake bible says that the average wedding cake is a 6", 9", 12". When I look at Earlene's chart it says I have to go with 95 or 115, no in between. Her 3 tier 115 is 7", 11" and 15". First I don't know if I'm really comfortable with doing a tier as big as a 15". Second, those dimensions seem like they would look a little weird. I have a Dede Wilson book also which according to her serving chart, I would need four tiers. I'm soooo confused 
Can someone give me a list of most used combinations and the number of servings? That would help this newbie soooo much 
Just wait.. Jan will post 50 links for you.... 
What would we do without Jan??
congrats on the cake. i'm just as bad at guestimating how big of a cake to do but since where i live its a close knit community (small town lol) i know most folks well here and tend to make it almost twice as much considering a good portion "really like cake" there are a few who dont and that kind of compensates..
I dont have an exact number for you; but cc has alot of highly experienced members who could help you better than i- so i shall be keeping my eye on this thread as well as wishing you the best on your newest cake adventure 
It's almost impossible to get EXACTLY the number of servings you need for a cake, you have to go up or down.
The number of servings you get is going to depend on what chart you use as well, some are as small as 1"x2" and some are 2"x2". Personally I go with the smaller (Wilton's Chart).
this is a rough estimation off the top of my head, assuming you want round tiers
4" = 6
6"= 12
8-"=24
10"=36
12" =50ish +
you wont want to calculate the top tier as servings (though you should charge for it if its a paid order) as they typically save the top tier for the first anniversary.
Here is a chart I use and hope it is useful to you.
Most of my clients like the middle size 1.5x2x4.
I always use 14/10/6 for weddings for 100.
only serving the 14 and 10...saving the 6 right?
right.
she said that she doesn't care to keep the top tier. so does that mean i can go with the 6, 9, 12 or what about an 8, 10, 12 maybe?
8,10,12 would work.
8 serves 24
10 serves 36
12 serves 50ish...
roughly 110 give or take. based on 1x2x4 high slices. check out indydebi's photos on her cake slicing method for rounds. you actually cut like its a square cake, so there are a few odd sized slices on the outer edges, but instead of wedges, you cut rectangles. you'll also yield a few more servings that way.
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