Cake for 100 Guests: Size, Cost, and Flavor Made Simple

When planning a wedding, figuring out Cake for 100 guests, the amount of wedding cake needed to serve a hundred attendees can feel like a math puzzle. Did you know that only about 70% of guests actually take a slice? That number alone changes how many servings you truly need. Understanding the cake for 100 guests challenge helps you avoid waste, keep the budget in check, and still give everyone a tasty piece.

The first piece of the puzzle is the Wedding cake, the centerpiece dessert at a ceremony, often layered and decorated. A classic three‑tier cake can feed 120‑150 people, but the exact number depends on slice size, tier height, and whether you offer alternative desserts. The second piece is the Guest count, the total number of people invited to the celebration. Your guest count dictates the total weight of cake you’ll need, which in turn decides how many tiers and how much frosting you’ll order.

Key factors to decide your cake size

Here’s how the main factors connect: Cake for 100 guests encompasses budgeting, flavor selection, and portion calculation. Choosing a wedding cake requires aligning flavors with guest preferences, while the guest count influences tier height and serving size. Finally, the cake budget determines whether you can add custom decorations or stick to a simple design.

Start with the raw numbers. A standard slice weighs about 100‑120 g. Multiply that by the expected eaters – usually 70‑80% of the guest list – and you get roughly 70‑80 slices. That translates to about 7‑9 kg of cake. Most bakers recommend one kilogram per 10‑12 guests, so for 100 guests you’d order 8‑10 kg, spread across two or three tiers.

Next, think about Cake flavors, the taste profiles chosen for the tiered dessert, such as vanilla, chocolate, or fruit. Popular combos like vanilla‑lemon, chocolate‑raspberry, or salted caramel‑coconut cover a wide range of palates. Offering two flavors on separate tiers adds visual interest and lets picky eaters pick what they like. Remember that each additional flavor can add 5‑10% to the overall cost.

When you set your Cake budget, the amount of money allocated for the wedding cake, break it down into three buckets: base cake price, decoration fee, and tasting/sample cost. A basic vanilla‑cream cake for 100 guests might run £800‑£1,200, while intricate sugar work or fresh flowers can push the price past £2,000. Allocate roughly 60% of the cake budget to the base product, 30% to décor, and 10% to tasting sessions.

If you’re tight on funds, consider a “cut‑the‑cake” style where a single small tier serves all guests, and a separate dessert table offers cupcakes or macarons. This approach satisfies the visual impact of a traditional cake while keeping the total weight lower – often around 5‑6 kg, which saves both money and time for the baker.

Don’t forget dietary restrictions. About 15% of guests request gluten‑free, dairy‑free, or vegan options. Adding a small specialty tier (1‑2 kg) for these guests usually costs an extra £100‑£150, but it shows thoughtfulness and avoids awkward moments during the reception.

To make the math painless, use a simple cake calculator: Number of guests × 0.75 (eaters) × 0.11 kg (per slice) = total kg needed. Plug in 100 guests and you get 8.25 kg, which you can round up to 9 kg for safety. Most bakers will confirm the final tier layout based on that figure.

Finally, schedule a tasting at least two months before the big day. Most bakers offer a complimentary tasting for the first 10 kg of cake; beyond that, they charge a modest fee. Use the tasting to confirm flavors, test frosting sweetness, and verify that the cake holds up under your venue’s temperature conditions.

By aligning the guest count, flavor preferences, and budget early, you turn the “how much cake?” question into a clear plan. Below you’ll find articles that dive deeper into each of these steps – from calculating exact servings to budgeting for premium décor – so you can walk into your wedding with confidence and a perfectly sized cake ready to impress.

Cake Quantity Guide for 100 Wedding Guests
18, October, 2025

Cake Quantity Guide for 100 Wedding Guests

Learn how to calculate the exact amount of wedding cake needed for 100 guests, with tier math, serving sizes, dietary tips, and a handy checklist.

Read more