The Cake Size Guide
Which cake size do I get?
As much as I love talking Cake, it's much easier to figure out which cake size to choose by seeing the cake portions as a picture.
I have created a visual guide for this purpose to give you a hand when it comes to deciding. To keep things simple, it comes down to the number of guests and the type of event you're planning to have. There are two different portion sizes available:
Coffee Portions - for weddings/ parties that require you to converse and eat cake at the same time.
Dessert Portions - for sit down meals and/or if the cake will be the main dessert of the event.
From this, decide the approximate number of portions you'll need +5 portions (just in case you forget to include yourself and if your guests would like a second serve).
How to use the chart:
- Decide how cake will be served (coffee vs dessert).
- Estimate how many guests will actually take cake: 60–70% after a full meal; 70–85% for cocktail/standing events.
- Pick a single tier or tier combo that meets or slightly exceeds the number you need.
- Add a small buffer: +5 serves for seconds and “I forgot to include myself.”
Quick picks (most common):
- 25–30 guests (cake is dessert): 8" single (24 dessert) if you want it tight, or 5"+7" (36 dessert) for breathing room.
- 40–50 guests (party nibble): 6"+8" (88 coffee) covers generous cutting.
- 70–80 guests (cake as dessert): 6"+8" two-tier (88 dessert).
- 100 guests (full dinner, coffee-size): 6"+8"+10" (≈148–152 coffee) or 11" Single Tier (50 dessert portions/100 coffee sized portions).
- Need more serves without changing the display? Add a simple kitchen cutting cake behind the scenes.
Little details that help on the day:
I provide a printed cutting & care guide with every cake; your venue can follow it for neat, consistent slices.
Not sure which option fits?
Tell me your date, guest count, and whether cake is dessert or a nibble. I’ll recommend the perfect tier combination.
Cake Size Faq
Plan 60 to 75 serves for a three-course dinner using coffee portions, or 85 to 100 if cake is the dessert.
Dessert is about 1" x 2" x 4". Coffee is about 1" x 2" x 2" which is roughly half the height and gives about twice the number of serves.
Celebration tiers are about 4" tall. Wedding tiers are about 5" to 6" tall, so the same diameter wedding cake serves more people.
About 24 dessert or 48 coffee serves, based on a 4" tall tier.
For dessert-size slices, a single 11" cake gives about 50 dessert serves or 100 coffee serves.
For coffee-size slices after a meal, a two-tier 5" + 7" works well at about 52 coffee serves.
Yes. Every cake includes a printed cutting and care guide.
Only if you want every child served. Otherwise reduce the expected uptake slightly.