What to bring to a wedding cake tasting

A wedding cake tasting needs more than cake samples. Plan small portions for every guest, plus plates, forks, napkins, drinks and a way to serve each flavour without mixing them. Coffee, tea and water help guests reset between samples, while menu cards and an allergen chart prevent confusion. Use this shopping list alongside your guest count and tasting order, and check cold storage before the samples arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Clothing rack
Side tablesqty 2
Tablecloth tables

Tableware

Pastry platesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 30
Tea glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 30
Water glassesqty 30
Pastry forksqty 30
Teaspoonsqty 30
Cake serversqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Coffee potsqty 2
Teapotsqty 2
Water jugsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Laptop bag

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Cake knivesqty 4
Bread knivesqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Kitchen scale
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Food storage containersqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Candlesqty 24
Candle holdersqty 12
Menu standsqty 8
Name badgesqty 24
Welcome sign
Decorative cake standsqty 6
String lightsqty 4
Balloonsqty 30

Paper goods

Menu cardsqty 24
Allergen cardsqty 12
Ballot formsqty 24
Pensqty 12
Notepadsqty 6
Name stickersqty 30

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Vanilla cake sample - 1 piece
- Sample chocolate cake - 1 piece
- Red velvet sample - 1 piece
- Lemon cake sample - 1 piece
- Sample carrot cake - 1 piece
- Sample champagne cake - 1 piece
- Sample strawberry cake - 1 piece
- Raspberry tart tasting portion - 1 piece
- Sample caramel cake - 1 piece
- Sample mocha cake - 1 piece
- Vanilla buttercream - 500 grams
- Chocolate buttercream - 500 gram
- Cream cheese frosting - 500 grams
- Strawberry filling - 300 grams
- Raspberry filling - 300 gram
- Lemon curd - 1 jar
- Caramel sauce - 1 bottle
- Chocolate sauce - 1 bottle
- Fresh strawberries - 1 tray
- Fresh raspberries - 2 trays
- Blueberries - 2 tubs
- Grapes - 2 bunches
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Mint - 2 bunches
- Amaretti - 2 packs
- Mini meringues - 2 bags
- Butter biscuits - 3 packs
- Macarons - 30 pieces
- Mini chocolates - 2 boxes
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 bags
- Olives - 2 jars
- Toast - 3 packs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Hummus - 2 tubs
- Cucumber - 3 pieces
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 trays
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Black tea - 1 box
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Chai tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lactose-free milk - 2 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 4 liters
- Lemonade - 4 liters
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Straws - 50 pieces
- Wooden cocktail picks - 1 box
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs
- Cleaning cloths - 10 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Trash bag ties - 1 pack

Tips

Plan one tasting portion of each flavour per guest, plus 10% extra for replacements, late additions or samples that are damaged during transport.
Provide one pastry plate and pastry fork per guest, then add at least 10% spare pieces. Put a clean cake server or knife with each cake so flavours do not transfer.
Allow two drinks per person for a two-hour tasting: combine water with coffee, tea or another planned drink, and prepare extra cups and glasses for replacements.
Set out one menu card and allergen chart per table rather than one per guest. Bring separate serving platters and tongs when samples contain different allergens.
Check power and cold storage at least one day before the tasting. Count coffee machines, kettles, coolers, extension cords and power strips against the venue’s available sockets.

Frequently asked questions

How much cake do I need for a wedding cake tasting?: Plan one small tasting portion of every selected flavour for each attendee, plus about 10% extra. For 12 guests tasting four flavours, prepare at least 53 portions in total.
How many plates and forks are needed for a cake tasting?: Provide one pastry plate and fork per guest, with 10% spare. For 20 guests, bring at least 22 plates and 22 forks, and add clean replacements if several flavours are served.
How many drinks should I buy for a wedding cake tasting?: Allow two drinks per person for a two-hour tasting, including water, coffee or tea. For 20 guests, plan around 40 servings and bring extra water for palate cleansing.
When should I check the equipment for a wedding cake tasting?: Check tableware, serving tools, power leads and cold storage at least 24 hours before the tasting. This gives you time to replace missing items before the cake samples arrive.

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