The journal
How many tiers for your guests?
Servings by tier, and a calculator that sizes a cake to your guest list, for weddings and celebrations across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
By Nina Atelier
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The short answer
Tiers from one to four serve 10–110 guests. The first figure in each range is the guaranteed count; the second is reached with smaller slices.
| Tiers | Servings |
|---|---|
| One tierAn intimate single statement piece. | 10–16guests |
| Two tiersThe classic celebration silhouette. | 25–35guests |
| Three tiersA grand centerpiece for a larger gathering. | 45–65guests |
| Four tiersThe full atelier commission. | 80–110guests |
Size a cake to your guests
Enter your guest count. The calculator names the smallest number of tiers whose range reaches it, and says when your count is above the guaranteed figure.
Three tiers serve 45–65 guests
For 50 guests, more than the guaranteed 45, the slices are cut smaller. For a guaranteed count, choose four tiers (80–110). Final servings are confirmed once the guest count and design are set.
Common guest counts
| Guests | Tiers | Servings |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Two tiersWithin the guaranteed count | 25–35 |
| 50 | Three tiersReached with smaller slices | 45–65 |
| 75 | Four tiersWithin the guaranteed count | 80–110 |
| 100 | Four tiersReached with smaller slices | 80–110 |
| 150 | Write to usBeyond the largest cake | — |
Beyond 110 guests, write with your number and the cake will be designed around it.
Choosing between sizes
Choose the tier count whose guaranteed figure covers your guests. If your count sits between the two figures, the larger size is the certain choice; the smaller size works with smaller slices. Say which you prefer when you enquire.
Each size is priced, with a worked example, in what a wedding cake costs, and the studio shows any of them in three dimensions.
