To make the tiers.... if they are 3 or 4 layers tall... do you bake and then torte the layers or bake separately?  Can all 3 or 4 layers be stacked together or do they need extra support/board?  

Thanks

Hi Keystone, the usual way is to bake each tier in halves and then tort each half, so you have four layers per tier. Each tier would definitely require support via a cake card underneath and dowells.  There are lots of tutorials online re dowelling a tiered cake (including here: http://cakegeek.co.uk/index.php/cake-decorating-tutorials/).

One useful tip for naked cakes is to use a cake card under each tier that is one inch narrower than the cake above, so that the silver card doesn't peep out, since your not frosting or icing it.

Also, make sure there is a good "ledge" on each tier if you are decorating with rosebuds or strawberries, etc.  The usual arrangement of 12",10", 8", 6" only leaves an inch each side to rest fruit or flowers on, so my preference would be to have at least a 3" difference in tier sizes eg. 12", 9", 6".

Good luck!

Thank you so much!  I appreciate your help!