What size wedding cake do you need?
Start from your guest count and we work out how many servings to order, how many tiers that takes and what it costs. Tiers come from the servings chart bakers actually use, not a simple formula.
Prices updated: · United States (USD) · free, no sign-up
Calculator result
Order a cake for
104servings
about 90% of 115 guests
- Tiers
- 3 tiers
- 12-inch bottom tier
- Cake cost
- $770
- $600 - $1,080
- Per guest
- $7
- Ø 8 in24 servings
- Ø 10 in38 servings
- Ø 12 in56 servings
Cost
- Cake104 × $6$620
- Delivery and setuprefrigerated van, assembly at the venue$150
- Book your baker 6-9 months ahead, do the tasting 3-4 months before and finalize the design about 6 weeks out.
- Bringing the cake from an outside bakery? Ask the venue about a cake-cutting fee - often $1.50-5 per slice.
How we calculate
- We count servings, not weight: guests × the share who eat cake (90% by default - cake is cut late and some guests skip it). With a dessert table, about 25% fewer guests take a slice.
- Tiers come from the standard wedding servings chart (1 × 2 × 4 in slices, 4 in tall tiers): a 6 in tier serves about 12, 8 in 24, 10 in 38, 12 in 56, 14 in 78, 16 in 100. Each tier is 2 inches smaller than the one below.
- Cost = servings × price per slice for the chosen style (with a minimum for small cakes) plus delivery and setup.
Cheat sheet: prices and good practice
How big a cake (ordered for 90% of guests)
- 50 guests: 2 tiers, 10 and 8 in
- 100 guests: 3 tiers, 12, 10 and 8 in
- 150 guests: 4 tiers, 14 to 8 in
- 250 guests: 5 tiers, 16 to 8 in
Favorite flavors
- Vanilla bean with buttercream
- Chocolate with salted caramel
- Lemon with raspberry
- Red velvet with cream cheese
- Almond with strawberry
Questions and answers
How many tiers for 100 guests?
Order about 90 servings. That is a 3-tier cake of 12, 10 and 8 inches, which gives up to 118 wedding servings - enough even if a few more guests want a slice.
How much does a wedding cake cost?
A decorated buttercream cake for 100 guests is usually about $700 with delivery, at $5-8 per slice. Fondant and sugar flowers raise the price to $7-18 per slice.
Will the venue charge a cake-cutting fee?
Many venues charge $1.50-5 per slice to cut and plate a cake from an outside bakery. Ask before you book the baker - some caterers waive it.
Calculate next
- Dessert table How many mini desserts per guest, how many kinds and what it costs - with the display and add-on stations.
- Venue and catering Per-guest price for adults and kids, the bar, vendor meals, a day-after brunch, and the service charge and tax that turn a $100 menu into about $130.
- Wedding budget A full wedding budget in 30 seconds - from catering to wedding bands, with price ranges.
- Guest attendance Realistic attendance by guest group, with a range - how many seats to book and how many meals to plan.
For the party itself
Games every guest plays at once
Couple trivia, awards and a finale on the big screen. Guests join with a QR code on their phones, no app to download.