A wedding cake stand is a literal foundation that your cake stands on—so you want to make sure that you pick something solid and sturdy. Don’t worry, you can also choose one that looks beautiful. Of course, aesthetics and what type of cake you’re having on your big day factor in, too, so you want to choose a wedding cake stand that matches your overall theme and wedding vision.

Your wedding planner and baker are your best resources to help you choose the right stand for your cake. If you’re DIY-ing your wedding cake or cupcakes, you can order a cake stand online or look for a vintage stand at antique stores near you. Here’s a look at the different types of wedding cake stands and how to decide what’s right for your wedding.

Table of Contents:

• Different Types of Cake Stands
• Cake Stand Materials
• What to Discuss With Your Baker

Does the Type of Wedding Cake Influence the Stand That You Need?

The size and type of wedding cake you’re getting will influence which cake stands you can use. Common types of wedding cakes include:

• Traditional, multi-tiered wedding cake. The number of tiers you’ll have is based on how many guests you’ll need the cake to serve and what aesthetic you are going for. The weight and height of the cake will influence which cake stand you need.
• Deconstructed wedding cake. The layers of cake are displayed separately or “deconstructed” on multiple cakes stands. The layers may be different shapes or flavors.
• Cupcakes or mini cakes. An alternative to a traditional wedding cake, you can serve cupcakes or mini cakes instead, and display them on a multi-tiered cake or dessert stand for easy access for your guests.

Different Styles of Cake Stands

There are different styles of cake stands. You can choose which one will work for your wedding cake based on the height of your cake and how much it weighs. You should also think about how you want the cake to be displayed (tiered, separate layers on different stands, or floating.)

Cake Plate or Platter

A cake plate—a display plate or platter generally for one or two-tiered cakes—may be flat or slightly elevated. Cake plates may come in different shapes, such as square or round.

1. Wood Cake Stand, Etsy, $20

In need of a rustic cake stand? This round cake stand, which is made from a real wood slice, is sure to wow at your wedding reception.

2. Arthur Court Designs Fleur de lis Plate with Server, Bed Bath & Beyond, $35.99

If you’re looking for a more classic, traditional cake plate for your cake table, this metal cake stand from Bed, Bath, and Beyond could be a good option.

3. Pasabahce 10345 Patisserie Cake Plate, Amazon, $20.66

Want to keep things simple? This Pasabahce glass serving stand will let your cake take center stage.

4. Wood Marble Covered Server, Crate & Barrel, $59.95

If your wedding dessert is on the smaller side (for example, if you’re looking for more of a cupcake display than an actual cake stand), this wood and marble option from Crate & Barrel packs a lot of elegance into a small size. (Plus, after your wedding is finished and you no longer need it for wedding decor, this modern cake stand can double as home decor or kitchenware!)

5. Hand-Blown Recycled Glass Cake Stand, Food52, $44

Another simple option, this glass cake stand from Food52 is made from hand-blown recycled glass. This dessert display would be a simple, elegant serving option for a one or two-tiered cake.

Pedestal Stand

A pedestal cake stand is a raised cake stand that can be used for one or multi-tiered cakes. This is a popular choice for wedding cake display as it elevates your cake and creates an eye-catching centerpiece for your cake/dessert table.

6. Andrekia Pedestal Cake Stand, Wayfair, $30.99

This white cake stand is made from porcelain china. It’s simple, it’s classic, and it would match with a variety of wedding styles and decor—making this an extremely versatile cake riser option.

7. Towle Silversmiths Hammersmith Cake Stand, Wayfair, $62.99

If you want to keep your cake stand simple—but you prefer metal over porcelain or glass—this metal geometric cake stand from Wayfair could be a great option.

8. Qualia Sylvan Clear Cake Stand with Dome, Bed Bath & Beyond, $139.99

If you have a single-tier cake (and a not-so-tall cake topper!)—and you want the option to cover your cake at any point during your wedding day—this glass cake stand set, which comes equipped with a glass dome cover, from Bed Bath & Beyond could make a great addition to your dessert table.

9. Classic Touch Marbleized Footed Cake Stand in Black/Gold, Bed Bath & Beyond, $71.99

If you’re looking for a more glam stand, this gold metal dessert display stand, which has a modern, art deco feel, could be a great (and glam!) option for your wedding cake.

10. Gibson Elite Anaya 12 Inch Hand Painted Stoneware Cake Stand, Bed Bath & Beyond, $34.99

If your wedding style is more rustic or country-inspired, this cake display stand, which features an array of hand-painted flowers, could be the cake stand for you.

Multi-Tiered Stand

If you’re serving your guests smaller desserts at your wedding (like cupcakes or pastries), a multi-tiered stand, which features two to three tiers of dessert serving trays, could be a great option.

11. Wedding Party Cake Stand Plate, Etsy, $39.93

This wood dessert tower would make the perfect cupcake stand or serving tray for bite-sized wedding desserts, like fruit tarts or cream puffs.

12. Wood And Metal 2-Tier Serving Stand, World Market, $39.99

If you want both tiers of your multi-tiered stand to be the same size (as opposed to a larger tier on bottom and smaller on the top), this wood and metal option World Market would fit the bill.

13. Royal Albert 100 Years 1960/1980/1990 3-Tier Cake Stand, Bed Bath & Beyond, $165.99

This three-tier cake holder/cupcake cake stand is reminiscent of a formal English tea party—so if that’s the look and feel you’re going for with your wedding, you’ll definitely want to check this one out.

14. Tiered Pink Cake Stand Serving Tray, Galore Home, $19.95

If you want to infuse your dessert table with a bit of color, you can’t go wrong with this cake stand, crafted with pink glass, from Galore Home.

15. Wood Marble 2-Tier Server, Crate & Barrel, $69.95

This wood and marble cake two-tiered cake stand from Crate & Barrel has a modern, minimalist look that would work with a variety of wedding styles.

Floating Stand

If you want to create a stunning display for your cake/dessert table, consider a floating cake stand. A floating cake stand, which utilizes a cake spacer placed between two tiers of cake, gives the impression that layers of your cake are “floating.”

16. 30mm Ultra polished acrylic cake separator, Etsy, $40.09

If you want to create the illusion of floating between your vertical cake layers, this acrylic cake separator from Etsy can help you pull it off.

17. CENTRAL BAR Cake separator, Etsy, $89.85

If you want a more dramatic floating look—and more space between each layer—this CENTRAL BAR floating stand could be the cake stand you’re looking for.

18. HOOP tier cake separator, Etsy, $106.44

If you want to not only dazzle with a floating cake display, but also add another design element to your dessert table, this hoop-shaped cake separator is definitely one to consider.

19. Fillable clear cake tier, Etsy, $47

This floating cake stand allows you to fill the space in between your tiers with an extra design element to grab people’s attention—like flowers or fairy lights.

20. Geometric square with diamond cake separator, Etsy, $92.62

This cake spacer has an intricate geometric design between tiers. If you want to do something different and out of the box from the traditional floating cake stand, this might be the cake stand for you!

Cake Stand Materials

Cake stands are available in a variety of materials. Pick a cake stand that aligns well with your wedding theme and aesthetic.

• Wood. A wooden wedding cake stand works well to display a rustic wedding cake during an outdoor or rustic reception.
• Porcelain. Porcelain cake stands are classic and durable. These can work well for a vintage or classic wedding cake.
• Wrought iron. Wrought iron is another sturdy option for a cake stand. This look goes well with a variety of wedding aesthetics. It would look equally as great in either a rustic or elegant reception.
• Glass. For an elevated look, a glass cake stand will show off your cake. Glass cake stands are the most fragile, so make sure that your baker is comfortable with a glass stand before you get your heart set on this look, Cinderella.
• Acrylic. Acrylic cake stands are durable. They’re also generally clear—making them an ideal option for floating cakes.

What to Discuss With Your Baker

A reputable banker who has experience with wedding cakes should be able to advise you on which type of cake stand you’ll need. Some points you may want to discuss with them include the following:

• Who is responsible for the cake stand? Your baker may have already included the price of the stand in your contract; however, you may want to double-check that they can provide a cake stand that you’ll use for the night. If you have your heart set on a specific style, or you want to provide your stand, make sure to discuss it with the baker ahead of time. They will let you know if it will work with the cake you’ve chosen. Your wedding venue may also have cake stands available for rent.
• What size cake will you have? This will influence which cake stands you could use.
• How to pick a cake stand. If your special day has a specific theme, you may want to choose a cake stand that fits the aesthetic. For example, a wooden cake stand works well for a rustic or outdoor wedding. A glass or floating cake stand will look beautiful for a hotel or upscale restaurant reception.

What Size Cake Stand Is Best for Your Cake?

The wedding cake baker is the best resource for what size cake stand plate or base, you’ll need. Follow these general guidelines to give you a better idea of what to expect.

• A two-tiered, 8-inch cake: 11.5-inch plate
• A three-tiered, 10-inch cake: 13.5-inch plate
• A four-tiered, 14-inch cake: 15.5-inch plate
• A small, 4-inch cake: 9.5-inch plate

Pro tip: The plate of your cake stand should always be larger than the size of your cake’s base layer.