Hope there isn't already a forum about this.  The site has gotten so dang big that searching has gotten harder and harder. 

My question--do I use a silver-wrapped cake drum (14" under a 12" layer) under a round wedding cake that will be placed on a larger, round, silver cake plateau?  I've seen some cakes with and some without.  Guess I'd like some opinions on the matter.  Thanks!

All my cakes go on a drum.  If it's going on a cake stand I always make sure the drum is the same diameter as the stand (or smaller).

I don't drum my single tier cakes...but drum all of my tiered cakes as I run a dowel through all tiers and into my drum.   I am also anal about having my bottom board match the size of the plateau. 

Years ago I used to have the plateaus delivered to me so that I could build that bottom tier right on the plateau.  Then one tipped over during delivery and I stopped that nonsense.  Build the cake on a drum and when you get to the venue, place it on the plateau.  Those three little legs on the plateau are not all that stable.  

AI build right on the stand. I always check it to make sure it can hold & have never had a problem. I prefer the look.

ADrum. Unless it's a smaller cake on a pretty pedestal and it would look better built right on.

Depends on the cake for me, and the stand. I almost always drum, but there are some stands I trust enough to build straight onto.

I have a pedestal that doesn't have feet, just a solid base, heavy as Kansas, I will build right onto it. I will drum the cake if they are renting/buying their own from somewhere else though.

Thank you all for your help!  I did drum, and it worked out great!  I'll post a photo sometime today.