28 Two-Tier Wedding Cakes for Any Occasion

watercolor blue wedding cake with fresh flowers including ranunculus and lavender — Photo by Nicole Lapierre Photography; Cake by Belsize Cakes

When it comes to choosing your wedding cake, typically it's all about design. What will your color palette be? Will you ask your baker to add buttercream detailing or stick with a few simple blooms? But choosing your wedding cake also comes with a decision to make on sizing.

A multi-tiered wedding cake can certainly be a showstopper. But you may not need five entire tiers of cake, especially if you're hosting a more intimate celebration. And while a single-tiered cake could be the perfect fit for your small guest count, a two-tiered option offers a bit more flexibility.

A two-tier cake can typically serve anywhere from 20 to 50 guests. That number of servings, however, depends on the height and width of each tier. This size of cake also offers the choice to embrace the tradition of keeping the top tier of your cake while still having plenty of cake to serve to your guests. Plus, there's a wide range of options for incredible designs that will rival even the most awe-inspiring five-tiered confections.

Ready to find the perfect two-tier wedding cake for your celebration? Read on for 28 of our favorite designs.

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Try Textured Concrete

marbled two tier cake with matching flowers — Courtesy of Belsize Cakes

A two-tiered cake definitely doesn't have to be dull. This confection incorporates stunning textured concrete with flecks of gold detailing and a few blooms to make a statement.

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Embrace Delicate Elegance

two tiered Swan Princess-inspired white cake — Photo by Beige Weddings; Cake by Cake by Nicole

There's a certain elegance to a tall, two-tiered cake. According to cake designer Nicole McEachnie, she wanted this Swan Lake princess-inspired cake to embrace femininity and innocence, and this design pulls that off flawlessly.

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Incorporate Multiple Shapes

two tiered cake in different shapes and with sugar flowers — Photo by Olivia Marshall Photography; Cake by Samantha Mayfair Cakes

Want a truly unique two-tiered cake design? Embrace the concept of multiple shapes. With a square tier, a round tier, and intricate sugar florals, this cake is ready for any outdoor-inspired wedding.

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Display Painted Flowers

Blue two-tier cake with buttercream flowers — Photo by Sean Cook Weddings; Cake by Sweet Heather Anne

Calling all spring couples! This two-tiered blue-hued cake makes the most beautiful statement. We can't get over how darling the handpainted buttercream flowers are to match a garden setting.

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Choose Light and Airy

White two tiered cake with sugar petals — PHOTO BY AMY ANAIZ; PLANNING BY WE DO! COLLECTIVE BY FALLON CARTER; CAKE BY B CAKE NY

You can certainly stick with a traditional, all-white wedding cake if you opt for two tiers. But consider taking it up a notch. This confection incorporated wispy sugar petals for a lovely, effortless design.

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Showcase Beautiful Blooms

two tiered cake with pressed flowers — Photo by Serenity Film and Pictures and Hannah Adams Photography; Cake by Blushing Cook

Pressed florals are having a moment, and we don't think that trend is dying down anytime soon. Embrace this concept and press pretty florals on a two-tiered cake for a gorgeous display.

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Consider Chocolate

Two-tier chocolate wedding cake drizzled with chocolate and florals — Photo by Rachel Rowland Photography; Cake by Mediterra Bake House

It might be difficult to embrace an all-chocolate wedding cake, but we're here to tell you that it can certainly be the perfect fit. This two-tiered treat definitely commands attention, with a bit of drama from the added chocolate drip.

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Add a Cute Topper

Naked cake with cactus topper — PHOTO BY ASHLEY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY

We love the way the two tiers of this cake were crafted with a different number of layers for an interesting design. With its naked look and bold cactus topper, a design like this would be such a beautiful showcase at an outdoor summer wedding.

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Opt for Buttercream Palette Painting

Two-tier buttercream palette cake — PHOTO BY BON PHOTAGE; CAKE BY CAKE ENVY

This two-tiered cake is certainly unique with its off-balance shape. But it's the buttercream palette painting and soft hues that truly make it a masterpiece.

10 of 28

Pick Pretty in Pink

Pink two tiered cake with pink flowers — Courtesy of PRETTY LITTLE CAKES

Two-tiered wedding cakes don't need to utilize the same measurements for each tier, even when it comes to width. We love the way the top tier of this confection looks slightly offset, with pretty blooms and a pink bunny tail to tie it all together.

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Go for Color

Colorful two-tier tropical cake with flowers — PHOTO BY CHARLA STOREY; CAKE BY SHANNON STAR

Planning a tropical or destination wedding? Don't be afraid to embrace multiple hues. This two-tiered cake features two stacked squares, each with a different design, and a cascade of florals that are just bursting with color.

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Incorporate Multiple Sweets

cake with macarons on top — Photo by Christy Wilson Photography

Looking for something a bit different? Why not incorporate two different types of sweets in a two-tiered cake? Consider opting for cake on the bottom, with a charming tower of macarons serving as the top tier.

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Wow With Watercolor

Two-tier watercolor blue wedding cake — Photo by Nicole Lapierre Photography; Cake by Just Iced Custom Cakes

Watercolor designs are always so awe-inspiring, and this confection is no different. We love the way a bundle of beautiful blooms brings together the two tiers.

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Deck It Out With Detailing

Two-tier burgundy cake with floral details — Photo by Agnes Lopez; Cake by Samantha Mayfair Cakes

With a two-tiered cake, it's a bit easier to add plenty of detailing. After all, there's less surface area than a five-tiered cake. With detailing added by hand and handmade sugar flowers, this sweet is truly show-stopping.

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Make It Playful

Two-tier wedding cake with mini donuts on bottom tier — PHOTO BY CLAY AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Want to have your favorite doughnuts and eat your cake, too? This playful treat featured mini doughnuts all the way around, separating the two tiers in the most unique way.

16 of 28

Try Two Tones

Two-tier white and yellow wedding cake — Courtesy of Soul Cake

Two tiers mean twice the options for color and design. This sweet brings a bright pop of sunny yellow into the mix, paired with a more subtle white tier, for a lovely spring or summer look.

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Set a Bold Statement With Black

Two-tier black detailed wedding cake — PHOTO BY GARNET DAHLIA; CAKE BY FLORETTA SWEET

Few options make quite the statement that a black wedding cake does. But this two-tiered stunner goes even further, incorporating intricate detailing, figs, and florals.

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Keep It Sleek and Simple

white two tiered cake with flowers — PHOTO BY HENRY + MAC; Cake by Cakes for all Seasons

There's certainly no shame in keeping your design simple. We love the sleek, smooth look of this two-tiered white cake with a few bundles of blooms to top it off.

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Create Interest With Citrus

Two-tier white wedding cake with blood oranges — PHOTO BY JENN EMERLING WEDDINGS; CAKE BY A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR

Planning a summer soirée? Citrus is beautiful when added to warm décor. Consider choosing a simple, white, two-tiered cake paired with slices of blood oranges for a delightful display.

20 of 28

Opt for Organic

Two-tier wedding cake with pressed flowers — PHOTO BY JENNA POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY DESSERTS BY DEENA; FLORALS DESIGN BY OLD SLATE FARM

Use a simple two-tiered white cake as the base to add plenty of organic beauty. We love the way this confection is decked out in greenery and petals for a pretty spring look.

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Go Modern With Squares

Two-tier square white wedding cake — PHOTO BY KRISTEN BEINKE PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY FROST IT CAKERY

Embrace a modern vibe with sleek lines and squares. This two-tiered cake pulled off a refined-meets-rustic vibe with the addition of buttercream detailing and a few florals.

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Top With Pretty Blooms

Two-tier white wedding cake with purple flowers — PHOTO BY LAURA GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY; PLANNING & FLOWERS BY GREENWOOD EVENTS; CAKE BY ROARING GAP CLUB

This cake is as charming as it can be. We love the sweet little buttercream pearls added to each tier, paired with lovely hydrangeas and dogwood flowers.

23 of 28

Channel a Rustic Vibe

Two-tier rustic birch wedding cake — PHOTO BY LEIRA LEMONIS PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY CRISAN BAKERY

Have you and your partner ever carved your initials on a tree? Mimic that moment with your wedding cake. This two-tiered cake embraces a birch tree design, paired with an etched monogram, for a rustic occasion.

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Add a Chocolate Drip

Two-tier wedding cake with chocolate drip — PHOTO BY MOLLY PEACH; CAKE BY COPPER WHISK CAKES; FLORALS BY GRADIENT AND HUE

Adding a drip of caramel, white chocolate, or chocolate ganache, as the baker of this cake did, adds such a unique element to a design. We especially love the way this addition stands out on a two-tier white cake, paired with sweet succulents.

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Be Ready for the Beach

Two-tier turquoise beach wedding cake — PHOTO BY NICHOLE LIVINGSTON; CAKE BY HUCKLEBERRY BAKERY

Getting ready for a beachside ceremony? This two-tiered confection is dressed for the occasion! With a beautiful sea blue hue, a water cascade, and a few shells, this cake is nothing short of stunning.

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Make It Moody

Two-tier purple two tiered cake — PHOTO BY BREANNA WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY FLOUR & FLOURISH

Who says a two-tiered cake can't embrace plenty of design elements? This cake showcases a beautiful purple hue paired with beading and a moody mixture of textured florals to pull it all together.

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Go for Gold

two tiered wedding cake with gold and white — Photo by Valorie Darling; Cake by Layers

Choosing to incorporate one white tier and another colored tier is such a great way to create contrast with a two-tiered cake. We love the look of this gold tier paired with Viburnum berries.

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Show Off a Splash of Color

Two-tier colorful wedding cake — PHOTO BY NICOLE DONNELLY PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY NICOLE BAKES CAKES

Buttercream detailing doesn't have to be all florals. Opt for a slender two-tiered cake and command attention with color on both tiers for a fun design.

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