Ugh..I hate asking this question because the bride always responds with, "Well, we're sending out xxx invitations." So, let's say a bride says they're sending out 200 invitations, do you double the amount to include the and guest? And then you have to figure not everyone will show up and eat cake. And then some brides want to make sure they have plenty of cake, but some don't want any left over. I just want to get other peoples opinions on this - how much would you figure out the cake to feed?

I don't figure it out for the bride. I let them tell me and I sit there quietly until they put a number out there. Eventually, they will and then we move on to designing. But I leave the decision of how many servings of cake they want entirely up to them.

Now, I make suggestions based on things like if they have different flavors, or are using a special kind of cake that not everyone may like, they I may make a comment about needing more/less. But that is about it.

It definitely is up to the bride. She may not have a firm # yet but should be able to give you that about 4 weeks before the due date.
Until then, plan on making it according to the # she give you re: invitations & dbl'ing that.

I agree, it's not your call, or your problem. If she says 200, and you bake for 200, then it ends up being 250, its her mistake, not yours. You have enough to deal with in design and execution, dont let her add to your load!

Thanks so much! I always assumed I had to come up with the number because they always just leave it at "we're sending out this many invitations" and then just stare at me to suggest something. But I'll definitely make it a point to have them come up with the number.

I think Indydebi has always said it best in her blog here: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-can-save-you-1000-right-here-right.html

When someone tells you they've sent 200 invitations say, "so you've basically invited around 400? And of those 400 how many of those do you expect to attend?'
Try to get a more reasonable ball park figure. Then about 3 weeks before the wedding get a final headcount--they should have a pretty good idea by then. If the count is drastically different ( like 50-75 servings) then you can adjust the cake at that point. Generally people will calculate a pretty accurate headcount.