Wedding Cake Ideas

Cutting the wedding cake is one of the most iconic moments of your wedding reception.  We have some tips for your wedding cake from the design, cutting and preservation.

Designing Your Cake.  Before contracting with a baker, check your venue agreement.  Many venues require you to use their in-house baker.  If you will interview bakers, here are some questions you might ask:

• What flavors of cake do you offer?
• What fillings are available?
• Do you offer a gluten free option?
• What shapes do you offer?
• Do you specialize in a particular flavor or design style?
• How early should I order?  Deposit requirements and final payment dates?
• Is there a delivery charge?  How much setup time is needed?
• Do you offer tasting sessions?
• Will you supply the cake stand?  Cake knife and server?
• Will you provide storage box for the top tier?

How To Cut The Wedding Cake.  When it comes to cutting the wedding cake, many newlyweds don’t know where to begin. Follow these tips to cut your cake like a pro.

1. Using her right hand, the bride will usually hold the handle of the knife and the groom will put his hand over hers. Begin cutting the bottom tier of the cake using the pointed part of the knife and make two cuts. Making a vertical slice at the junction of those points will allow you to cleanly remove the small slice and place on a plate. From there, the bride and groom will then feed each other as a sweet start to their new life.
2. If you will be serving the cake as dessert, cake cutting is usually performed after the grand entrance, before toasts begin. This will allow your serving staff to clear and cut the cake during dinner service. If you will give the cake to guests as they leave, cake can be cut at any time of the evening. You will likely need to order cake boxes if this is your plan. (For more on reception timelines, click here.)

Preserving Your Cake.  Traditionally, most couples keep one cake to celebrate their first anniversary and this means storing it in the freezer for one whole year. More recently, bakeries have begun to offer a replica cake tier on your one year anniversary. If you will be storing the top tier, the following can help to preserve the flavor.

• Remove the decorations such as flowers and toppers from the cake and make sure the cake board is wrapped with a foil paper.
• Place the cake in the freezer for about 20 minutes so as to make the icing hard.
• Once hardened, wrap the cake with an airtight plastic wrap. Wrap it with two or more layers of foil to prevent the frozen taste and store in a freezer storage container.

Some sweet ideas:

• Discuss in advance if you will feed the cake to each other at the same time or alternate.  It is your choice to use fingers or forks!
• Let your serving staff know if you plan on keeping or giving away any tier of the cake, otherwise, they may serve it to your guests. Don’t assume everyone knows.
• Many couples have the serving set engraved with their names. They can be used later for birthdays, anniversaries or your children’s weddings. Your serving set can become a family heirloom passed down to every generation.
• Share your plans for cake cutting with your photographer and videographer so they can decide on the best camera angles for this special moment.
• Your DJ can suggest the perfect song to accompany your cake cutting.
• Many couples choose to highlight the groom’s hobbies or interests with a groom’s cake.  The groom’s cake can feature his favorite team, alma mater or any other interest he has.  This cake is often placed near the wedding cake and can be served as a dessert option, wrapped as guest favors, or kept for the one year anniversary.

For cake inspiration, check out our Pinterest board of Wedding Cakes and Cupcakes.

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Wedding Reception Options

Throughout the wedding planning process, you will have several opportunities for your personal preferences to shape your wedding day. Below are a few of those choices for your wedding reception.

The Sweetheart’s Table or Head Table A recent trend in wedding receptions is the sweetheart’s table; a table just for the bride and groom. Traditionally, the bride and groom would sit at a head table surrounded by the bridal party. Here are a few things to consider:

• Wedding etiquette dictates that the bride and groom should be seated near their bridal party.
• Consider they layout of your reception room and discuss the options with your venue. A sweetheart’s table does require additional setup, table linens, centerpiece, etc. The table should be placed so that your guests and those offering toasts can clearly see the new couple.
• If you have a large wedding party, it may be more convenient to have a sweetheart’s table.
• Your bridal party may be offended if you choose not to dine with them. Alternatively, they might appreciate being able to dine with their date or family. Discuss your decision with them in advance.
• If you or your fiance are shy, it may feel like more attention is focused if you decide to dine at a separate table.

Buffet or Seated Dinner Most wedding reception venues will allow you the option of a buffet or seated dinner. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two:

• Buffet dinners are usually less formal than seated dinners so it is important to consider the overall formality of your wedding day.
• Seated dinners are typically more expensive due to the additional servers required; making buffet dinners budget friendly.
• Guests are able to choose more or less of foods that they like with a buffet dinner.
• Ask your caterer if you will be charged a per plate price with a buffet dinner. Some guests consider buffets an “all-you-can-eat” invitation and may make multiple trips; possibly increasing your costs.
• Buffet lines should allow access from both sides to keep guests moving through lines in a timely manner.

Open or assigned seating Again, the tone of your wedding reception will usually dictate the level of planning required for dinner seating. A simple, informal reception or one where most people will know each other lend themselves to more casual, open seating. The more formal the wedding reception, the more likely there will be assigned seating. (To learn more about creating seating arrangements, click here.)

Cash or open bar It is generally frowned upon to ask guests to pay for drinks during your wedding reception. However, there are not rules forcing you to have a full bar either. An option that is budget friendly and conforms to wedding etiquette is to offer an open, but limited bar. Your bartender can help you to select a few wines, beers and liquors that will meet the needs of the typical guest. You can also create asignature drink for your event too.

Guest Requests – Yes or No At some point during your wedding reception, a guest will ask your DJ to play their favorite song. It is important to discuss with your DJ in advance how you would like him to respond.

• The more your DJ honors song requests, the more likely your dance floor will be filled. (For more ways to pack your dance floor, click here.)
• If you are worried about someone requesting a song you hate, place it on your “do not play list”. Your DJ can then help the guest to pick another song that would be more appropriate.
• If you truly do not want the DJ to play guest requests, have him inform guests that you have asked him not take requests for the evening.

Cake or cupcakes It is a traditional moment of the wedding day when the bride and groom cut their wedding cake. More recently, couples have begun to share cupcakes as well. If you are struggling between the two, consider the following:

• Having multiple flavors of wedding cakes will usually require additional tiers. If you would like to offer your guests a large selection of flavors, cupcakes allow more variety.
• If you have a particular theme to your wedding, each cupcake can be decorated accordingly and presented to guests. While cakes can also incorporate themes, guests will not see that on their individual plates.
• Having a “cut” cake and sheet cakes for service can be more budget friendly than individual cupcakes.

We’re ready to help you create the wedding reception you want. Click here to get started.

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