Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I have to make 8 tiers wedding cake of which 4 tiers are dummy. My planning was to give 3 base tiers as dummy and then 4 tiers actual cake and top tier dummy again. Can you advise me how to transport this cake and then how to stack it at venue?
Should i be taking 3 base tiers separately and then actual cakes indivudally there but then it has lace work and many embellishments won’t it be damaged while setting up. Need suggestions.

Hello Baker06

What you can do is stack the bottom dummies all together. Then the three real cakes stacked together and the last dummy on it’s own or stacked atop the real cakes. Strong stacked cake boxes are available from online cake decorating stores, which would make transporting easier. It’s advisable to check the height of the available space in your vehicle so that the boxes fit comfortable. To prevent the boxes from sliding around, place non slip mats beneath them. Non slip mats can be purchased online on rolls like this:

They are also available in supermarkets, garden centres, caravan accessory shops and many other outlets.

Online stores for stacked cake boxes:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=stacked+cake+boxes&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=W_n8V4DdFKun8wejop7wAg
The embellisments will not be affected if the cakes are already stacked and placed into the boxes complete for transportation and stacking at the venue. Do you have flowers which need to be placed on the cakes?

Thanks a lot for coming to the rescue. I am little apprehensive that if all the real cake will be stacked will it be easy to manoeuvre on top of dummies at venue..wont it be heavy to stack it all together.

yes i have to put flowers all around in between 2 tiers..infact i have to ask regarding to that also.

Hi Baker06

Yes, the stacked cakes can be heavy if they are big tiers. Smaller tiers are managable. If you don’t feel happy about lifting and stacking ready stacked tiers, I would suggest packing the cakes separately and stacking them at the venue. I usually do two by two which isn’t too bad. It helps to have someone else at home to give you a hand up. If your flowers are wired they can not be inserted directly into the cake so you’ll be needing to use posy picks or straws to hold them safely. Temporarily assemble the tiers at home and insert the picks or straws into the cake along where you’d like the flowers to be displayed. The flowers can be safely transported in card board box and placed into the picks at the venue. Take some fondant or gumpaste with you to fill the picks if the flowers need to be anchored in.

H,i I am doing my first 4 tier stacked wedding cake in October.
I am a wee bit confused… Do you have the top 3 tiers on cake cards and them place them on top of each other or just stick them on top of each other without the cards? I notice that Paul sticks them on top of each other
using icing. I was going to take each of the tiers separately and stack them at the venue. As this if my first tiered cake I’m scared in case there is any damage on the way there. The wedding isn’t until 4pm in the afternoon, so I do have time. How much time would you normally allow for stacking at the venue? I also have a large peony to attach to the cake too. Sorry to ask what seems like very basic questions, feeling a bit anxious.
Thank you.

Hi Arwen

Yes, each tier sits on it’s own cake card or cake board before it is set on the next dowelled tier. A little royal icing or ganache will act as glue to secure each tier. Stacking the cakes together doesn’t take very long at all, likewise the large peony. Have all the dowels and posy pick for the flower ready installed as soon as the cakes are iced as dowelling/posy picks on dry icing can cause cracks. Take an emergency kit for minor repairs, include a palatte knife to help lift each tier into position. Don’t forget the royal icing or ganache for sticking the tiers together. Find out from the venue exactly where the set up room is so you can reach it without hinderence. Give yourself a couple of hours or a little more if you think it necessary for the installation. Taking a family member or a friend for moral support and to help steady the tiers as you lift, would be great!
Take your time assembling the tiers., rushing only causes accidents.
If you are not staying for the wedding, take all round pictures, a video too if possible, of the fully assembled cake to show as proof that you are leaving it in perfect condition. As soon as you leave the cake, responsibility for it’s safety is with the venue.

Good luck, hope all goes well and come back if you need any more information. 🙂

Very sorry for the extremely late reply. Many thanks for this. Very helpful. The wedding is on saturday and I’m now beginning the journey… Cakes are baked waiting to be covered. everything is ready to go. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

NO probs Arwen, I know you’re busy. Please do take your time and as a refresher please have a look at the dowelling and stacking tutorials again. It’s more for reassurance and confidence. Here’s the link:

Stacking Cakes

… and give a shout if you need a bit of moral support 🙂