displaying your wedding cake

So, you’ve chosen the design of your wedding cake, but have you thought about how best to display it? Couples often tell me “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that”. There are different options to consider and having spent money on a beautiful cake, I’m sure you want to showcase it in the best way possible.

cake stands & props

Firstly, think about a cake stand. There are so many different styles out there to compliment your cake design. Your venue may have their own but don’t feel that’s your only option. Many can be quite old fashioned and don’t add much height or even suit the style of your cake, so ask to see what they have.

Lots of places sell different cake stands, however, they can be costly, especially if you won’t use it again. I recommend speaking with your cake designer to ask if they have any available for hire. This is something I cover in every consultation, and I do hire a variety of different stands, to compliment a range of cake styles.

My favourite cake stands are Mosser glass stands. You’ll see these in many of my cake photos. They are elegant, classic and showcase your cake in the best way. There are also an amazing selection of stands from places like Prop Options or BrambleSky. If you have a company providing the décor for your special day, such as Celebre Weddings & Events, they too may have a selection of props available to display your beautiful cake. Check out their websites to look for ideas and the different options available.

Props are on trend. The right prop can enhance the look of your cake and create a real wow factor in your room. From cake swings to Perspex tables, tree canopies and plinths, the options are endless!

where’s best to display your cake

Next, think about where your cake is going to sit. How often have you attended a wedding and you don’t remember seeing the cake until the couple cut it at the start of the evening reception? Unfortunately, it happens all too often. Couples take the time to choose the design, making sure it will fit in with the décor of the room, then the cake then sits in a corner, and nobody sees it! Some venues will even place it in another room until it is time to cut the cake.

Worst of all is when it is placed in front of a fire escape or a fire extinguisher, and that’s what’s featured in the background of your photos. Not great, is it? As a cake designer this is a real bugbear of mine.

When you are speaking with your venue, discuss the options of where and how you can best display your wedding cake. Is there somewhere in the room that will provide the perfect backdrop for your photographs. Think about decorating the space with flowers or candles. It doesn’t need to cost a lot but does make a huge difference.

Let’s face it, your wedding cake is a work of art! So much time and money go in to making sure it is absolutely perfect and in keeping with your wedding. So, think about where best to showcase your cake. Where your guests can admire it, take beautiful photos, and look forward to trying some later that evening.

Cake swing hired from Classic Weddings Glasgow

planning your wedding cake

Some of the questions I am often asked are "What size of cake should we order for our wedding? and "How many tiers do we need to feed our guests?". There are so many things to take in to consideration in the design of your wedding cake so I thought it worthwhile to break them down for you.

NUMBER OF GUESTS

I usually start by asking the approximate number of guests. This will help your cake designer to know how much actual cake you need. Wedding cake is typically cut in to one inch finger portions, and a 3 tier cake (based on 6”, 8” and 10” wide cakes) would typically give you around 120 portions. You don’t need to cater for your total number of guests, however, the majority of my orders will base their cake on 100% of the their guest numbers.

Also think about whether you’d like your venue to keep some cake back for you and your family to enjoy the following day. All my cakes are baked fresh to order and will last up to a week if kept well wrapped up or in a sealed container. You could even freeze some for a later date. You’d be amazed at how many couples don’t even see the cake again after they have cut it. Let’s face it, you're likely to be busy partying the night away, trying to get round all your guests and might not make it to the buffet!

THE MORE TIERS THE MORE FLAVOURS!

Each tier of cake can be a different flavour and if you have a double barrel tier (two cakes inside one) then you can also add an additional flavour. It is nice to give your friends and family a choice of cake at your wedding reception. Bear in mind though, the more flavours, the more likely your guests are to have more than one piece! So take that in to account too when you come to select the amount of cake and how many flavours you’d like.

BUFFET OR DESSERT

Wedding cakes tend to be cut just after your evening guests arrive, then plated up for the evening buffet. However, some couples like to use their cake as dessert at the wedding meal and therefore cut it earlier in the day. Dessert size portions are bigger so if this is what you plan to use your cake for, be sure to tell your cake maker.

BIG CAKE DREAMS

If you have your heart set on a bigger/taller wedding cake, however small your guest list, it is absolutely doable by adding false tiers. When the whole cake is decorated, nobody would know which tiers are cake and which are dummy. Only the couple cutting the cake and the kitchen staff at your venue, need to know that information. So dream big and go for it!

DESIGN INSPIRATION

As your cake is going to sit in your reception room, take inspiration from the colours on your tables, flowers, centre pieces, wedding stationery, bridal bouquets, bridal dresses. All of these will help tie your cake in to the overall design or theme of your wedding.

The gallery page on my website will show you a few of the designs I have created to date, and don’t forget about Pinterest. It's an amazing place to get some inspiration and let you see different styles and sizes of wedding cakes. I love it when a couple give me complete free reign to design their wedding cake, but I equally love seeing images of the cakes they like, as it lets me see the style/s they are drawn to.

Some people want their cake to be a feature in their reception room, to get the “Wow” factor when their guests arrive, and others are content to have it sat to the side, until they come to gather their friends & family around them for the ‘cutting the cake’ photo. So think about what you want from your wedding cake.

I go through all of the above points when I meet couples for their cake consultation and start the design process. However, I’m always happy to answer any questions before you even get to that stage. Just drop me an email or complete the Contact form to get in touch.

You'll find a Portion Guide covering a variety of different round tier sizes below.