Have any of you ever played with the way to stack cakes? I've seen some cakes where the middle tier is smaller than the top tier. Something like a 8/6/10 cake. I'm intrigued by the idea and would love to play with it. Any advice y'all can give me? What is this kind of stacking called? Would making the upper tier a fake cake help? TIA

I idid a vase shaped cake like what you are describing.  Unfortunately the pix isn't very good :(  http://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1294506/hourglass-with-strips     I call it hourglass style ubt don't know if that is correct.  What did you have in mind - what theme, look are you going for?  Using a cake dummy would not be necessary.    

Yes, it would help to see an example.  @kakeladi ‍, your vase cake is beautiful!  I love the stripes.

@kakeladi beautiful cake!! @sandrasmiley

Something like this but with round cakes. I saw the picture a bit ago but have no luck finding the cake again. It had a 10" base, 6" middle, and a 8" top tier. There isn't a particular theme yet, I want to play around with this idea before I propose it to clients.

@kakeladi ‍ @sandrasmile

It seems to me you would just need to be sure and use a very sturdy board under each tier and place your dowels near the outside edges (not too near!) to support the larger tier going on top.

That's what I was thinking! Do you what this kind of stacking is called? @Sandrasmil

I have no idea, @Cbenaske ‍, if it has a particular name.  Perhaps one of the more experienced ladies, like @kakeladi ‍will know.

Don't know if there is a name to that style.  Many cakes have been done like that using styro dummies as the small in between tiers.