I have my first wedding cake next weekend. I wanted to be able to deliver the cake stacked. I am still nervous decorating and worry anyone who may be there to let me in the reception hall may be curious and want to watch. So for me it would be easier to deliver already stacked. The cake is small for a wedding cake 3 tiers - 10", 8", 6". I have delivered cake this size stacked with a cake board between the layers, dowel rods or straws for support, and a dowel through all the layers into the bottom cake board. I have done this with no problems. This is my worry, the top tier is the anniversary tier and I think it would be hard for the bride and groom the take it off with a dowel in the center. Could I take the dowel rod out after the cake is set up? Also, is it ok to just use cake boards to separate the tiers?  I live in a small town and no store here sales the hidden pillars (I have separator plates but not enough hidden pillars). Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks! Do I double layer the cake boards or just one (I usually use one)? I have a problem with the icing sticking to the cake board. Is there anyway to prevent that? Sorry for all the questions. I just want this to be a good experience and I am already nervous !

http://www.wilton.com/cakes/tiered-cakes/stacked-tiered-cake-construction.cfm
 

Thanks! I just read the info on Wilton's website.I have used confectioners sugar before. I think it helps a little. I think I am going to have to go with that method and have the bottom 2 tiers decorated, dowel rods in place, & place dowel in center. If I am remembering right doing a 3 tier cake there is not a lot of the dowel sticking out of the top going all the way through the cake. It might be hard to get a good grip to pull it out so it might be safer to have the top tier crumb coated (all buttercream cake) and finish at reception hall. Hopefully I can figure this out

The longest I can find in my area is 12". I do have a extra long rod used to roast marshmallows. It's pretty long, but it's thinner. I believe I have used the before and they worked ok. Thanks - I had forgot about those.

I don't ever use a center dowel unless the people are picking it up themselves, and I definitely deliver stacked. Do you not trust yourself without one? 

I have never delivered a cake any other way and I don't have hidden pillars for separator plates. How do you stack and deliver your cakes?

99% of my cakes are fondant covered SMBC, stacked on bubble straws, I cut my own foam core circles (cardboards creep me out-I dunno why), sturdy cake drums ordered online...on down the road I go. I use delivery boxes from bakeabox.com. I drive carefully. Very carefully. I don't want to mess with center dowels and I'm sure the staff appreciates not having to dismantle them either. HOWever, I have been doing this a long time and am used to my methods, so I wouldn't suggest doing it my way until you're sure of yourself. :)

I hope to be able to do deliver that way one day!

Yeah I'd keep doing it the way do for now then. Build your confidence up. I would never do anything I wasn't 100% sure of. :)

Better safe than sorry . I live in hills and valley's so I don't want to chance it lol!

AWhat if the center dowel gets to tight in the cardboard and when you try to take it out the decorations get messed up

Thought of that. I will either decorate the top tier when I get there or I will stack it and take my trusty pliers to help "twist" the dowel so I can take it out. If it does get messed up I plan on having extra icing with me to fix any issues.

I use center dowels all the time.    I leave enough out of the top so that I can "gently" twist while I am pulling up.   If needed, I bring a bag of icing and spat to fill in/cover the hole.