One of the questions we get asked most often is “how big is a slice?” — and it’s a genuinely important one. Not all cake slices are created equal, and the difference between a wedding cake portion and a dessert portion is significant enough to change which cake size you need entirely.
Here’s exactly what each looks like in practice.
The Wedding Cake Portion (Signature Collection)
A wedding cake portion — sometimes called a finger slice — is a smaller, elegant slice. Think of it as the kind of slice you’d serve as part of a dessert display, alongside a glass of champagne or a coffee.
The dimensions:
- Approximately 2.5cm wide × 5cm deep × half the height of the tier
For a standard Signature Collection tier (approximately 16.5cm tall), that means each slice is roughly 8cm high — a generous mouthful that’s satisfying without being overwhelming. It’s designed to be eaten standing up, no plate or fork required.
This is the portion size used across our Signature Collection, listed in our Wedding Lookbook.
The Dessert Portion (Dessert Collection)
A dessert portion is a full, generous slice — and it needs a plate. This is a proper sit-down dessert, served after the main course with something delicious alongside it. Fresh berries, a drizzle of coulis, chantilly cream or a scoop of good ice cream.
The dimensions:
- Approximately 2.5cm wide × 5cm deep × the full height of the tier
Dessert Collection tiers are approximately 12.5cm tall — shorter than cakes in the Signature Collection, but designed as a size that works beautifully on a plate. Look at cakes in the Dessert Collection in our Wedding Lookbook.
Why Does This Matter?
Because the same physical cake can feed very different numbers of people depending on how it’s being cut and how it’s being served.
A wedding cake portion uses half the height of the tier — meaning more portions per tier. A dessert portion uses the full height of a shorter tier and is served as a standalone dessert on a plate. The result is that the same diameter cake will yield significantly more wedding portions than dessert portions — which is why the Dessert Collection cakes are sized differently from the Signature Collection, and why how you’re serving the cake is the first question we always ask.
What About Platter Style Service?
There’s a third option worth knowing about — and it’s one we covered in detail in a previous entry on wedding cake sizes.
If the cake is the only dessert but served informally on platters rather than plated at the table, we recommend choosing a cake from the Signature Collection — sized at 1.5x of your guest count. So if you have 80 guests, you should look at a cake which is suitable for 120 portions.
The cake is still cut to the same Signature portion size. The difference is that guests help themselves. And because it’s the only sweet option at the end of the evening, most guests will take a piece — and many will go back for a second.
Sizing at 1.5x ensures there’s plenty to go around without anyone going without.
However you plan to serve it, the way a wedding cake is cut matters. Most venues and caterers are experienced with this, but it’s always worth confirming in advance. Our cakes are all presented on premium quality baseboards, ready for display — and we’re always happy to give guidance on cutting instructions when we deliver and set up on the day.
Ready to Start Planning?
Download our Wedding Lookbook for full portion counts, sizing guidance, flavour options, and everything else you need to start planning your wedding cake.
👉 Download the Crumb Wedding Lookbook
Once you’ve had a look through, fill in the enquiry form on our weddings page and we’ll put together a quote based on your specific requirements.
Wedding season runs September to April, with October through March being our busiest months — the earlier you get in touch, the better.
xo Anmar
Crumb Boutique Bakery is based at Salt Circle, 374 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. All wedding cakes are handmade by professionally trained chef Anmar Wilding. Enquire about your wedding cake →
