Wedding Cake Conundrum: To Eat Or Not To Eat?

Wedding cakes are usually eaten at weddings, though not always. Some couples choose to preserve the top tier of their wedding cake, saving it to be eaten on their one-year anniversary. This tradition dates back to the 19th century when couples would eat the leftover wedding cake at their first child's christening, which was expected to happen within the first year of marriage. Today, couples may opt for alternative desserts or a simpler cake, and guests may be too full from the wedding meal to eat cake. However, many people enjoy indulging in a slice of wedding cake, and it is considered important to offer each guest a slice, even if they don't all accept.

How much wedding cake should be ordered?

When it comes to ordering a wedding cake, there are a few things to consider to ensure you have enough for your guests. Firstly, think about how many guests you have invited and how much food you will be serving. If you are planning a full 3+ course dinner, your guests might not have room for a large slice of cake, or they may opt for a smaller portion. In this case, you could consider using the cake as a dessert to save money and guarantee it will be eaten. Alternatively, if you are offering a buffet, your guests are more likely to save space for cake, so you may need to order more.

The number of treats you plan to offer is another factor to consider. If you have a donut wall or sweetie cart, your guests might be less inclined to eat the wedding cake. In this case, you could reduce the number of cake slices or ask your supplier to exclude these additional treats to save money.

The flavour of your cake is another important consideration. If you opt for a variety of flavours, your guests might want to try more than one slice. In this case, you may need to order more cake. However, if you choose one flavour, or similar flavours, it is unlikely that your guests will want multiple slices.

Most bakers and caterers will be able to advise you on how much cake to order based on your guest numbers and whether you plan to serve it as a dessert or an extra. As a general rule, it is recommended that you plan to serve 75%-80% of your wedding guests. This usually hits the sweet spot, ensuring that there are few, if any, leftovers. However, if you want to be sure that everyone has enough for at least one slice, you might want to add an extra 20% of cake.

Finally, don't forget to consider how you will serve the cake. It is a good idea to arrange for the cake to be served on trays rather than left in a corner for guests to help themselves. You could also have half your cake served with coffee and save the rest for the evening when guests get peckish again.

Is it common to have leftover wedding cake?

It is common to have leftover wedding cake, and there are many ways to use it. While some people do eat the cake at weddings, it is often left untouched. One way to ensure that guests indulge is to choose more than one flavour. It is recommended to plan on serving 75%-80% of wedding guests to avoid leftovers. However, if there are leftovers, they can be taken home and enjoyed at the after-party or morning-after brunch. Leftover cake can also be saved for a romantic anniversary or to celebrate a future child's christening.

There are several factors that can influence whether there will be leftover wedding cake. The timing of when the cake is served can impact whether guests eat it. If it is served later in the evening, it may be missed by those who have already left. Having other dessert options available can also reduce the likelihood of the wedding cake being eaten. Additionally, if guests are served a full meal, they may be too full to eat cake.

To avoid leftovers, some couples choose to have a small cake for ceremonial purposes and supplement it with cupcakes or sheet cakes for the guests. Others may opt for a non-traditional dessert, such as donuts or a dessert bar, instead of a traditional wedding cake. Ultimately, the decision on how much cake to serve depends on the couple's preferences and the expected number of guests.

How can you ensure everyone eats the wedding cake?

There are several ways to ensure that everyone at your wedding gets to eat the wedding cake.

Firstly, it is important to order enough cake for your guests. While it is not necessary to order a slice for every guest, as not everyone will have a sweet tooth, it is recommended to plan on serving 75%-80% of your wedding guests. This usually hits the sweet spot, ensuring few, if any, leftovers.

To further ensure that all your guests get a slice, you could ask whoever is cutting the cake to cut smaller slices. This way, there will be enough cake to go around, and guests can always come back for seconds if they wish.

Another way to ensure everyone gets to indulge in your wedding cake is to choose more than one flavour. This way, everyone will find something they like, and it can be a real talking point if you choose something non-traditional.

It is also important to consider when the cake is served. If you are serving the cake later in the evening, it may be missed by some guests. To avoid this, you could serve the cake during cocktail hour, or have it served on trays by the venue or catering staff, so it is easier for guests to access. Announcing that the cake is being served is another good way to ensure everyone knows it is available.

Finally, if you are planning on having other desserts, it is worth considering whether you want to serve the cake as the main dessert or an extra. If you are serving other desserts, you can plan on less than 100% of people eating the cake.

By following these tips, you can ensure that everyone who wants to indulge in your wedding cake gets the opportunity to do so.

What are some alternatives to wedding cake?

Wedding cakes are an iconic part of a wedding reception. However, some couples may want to break from tradition and opt for alternative desserts. Here are some unique and creative ideas for wedding cake alternatives:

• Macaron towers or walls: Macarons can be arranged in a tower or wall, creating a visually appealing display. They come in various colours and flavours, allowing you to customize them to match your wedding theme.
• Doughnut walls or bars: Doughnuts can be displayed on a wall or offered at a doughnut bar, where guests can customize their treats with sprinkles and frosting.
• Cupcakes: Cupcakes are a classic alternative to wedding cakes. They can be displayed creatively, such as on a ceramic cake stand or in an edible gold foil wrapping.
• Pies: Mini pies or pie bars are a great option, especially for fall weddings. They come in various flavours, allowing guests to choose their favourites.
• Ice cream: Ice cream sandwiches or carts serving scoops of ice cream are perfect for summer weddings. You can offer a few flavours from your favourite parlor for a personalized touch.
• Cheese wheels: For couples who prefer savoury over sweet, a cake-inspired display of cheese wheels is a unique option. It can also be turned into a sweet treat by opting for cheesecakes.
• Cake pops: Cake pops are portable and can be crafted to match any colour scheme, making them a perfect addition to a dessert table.
• Brownies and cookies: Offering an assortment of brownies and cookies, either plain or with a twist (such as s'mores-inspired brownies), is sure to be a hit with guests.
• Candy bar: Creating a dreamy display of your favourite candies will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.
• Cultural desserts: Consider offering desserts that pay homage to your heritage, such as Italian millefoglie, French croquembouche, or Spanish custard-forward cakes.

What is the tradition of eating wedding cake on your first anniversary?

Wedding cakes are steeped in tradition, and one of the most common traditions is freezing the top tier of the cake to eat on your first anniversary. This custom dates back to the 19th century, when couples would eat the top layer of their cake on their first child's christening day. Over time, the tradition evolved, and now many newlyweds choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat together a year after their wedding.

This tradition is especially common in the northern United States, with some bakeries even offering to replicate the top tier of the cake for the couple's first anniversary if they present a coupon. While some couples choose to follow this tradition, others may find it unappealing to eat year-old frozen cake. As a compromise, some couples choose to freeze a small piece of the cake or have a fresh, new cake made for their first anniversary.

The amount of wedding cake eaten at weddings varies. Some couples report that their guests snapped up the cake so quickly that they hardly got a look-in, while others have had cake left untouched. To ensure that everyone who wants to can indulge, it is recommended to plan on serving 75%-80% of your wedding guests, which usually results in few, if any, leftovers.

There are many other wedding cake traditions as well. For example, in most cultures, sharing your wedding cake with your guests symbolises good luck and wishes for a sweet future for the couple. The tradition of the bride and groom feeding each other a small bite of cake symbolises a commitment to provide for one another and shows love and affection. Cutting the cake in front of guests can also be a subtle way to signal that the day's activities are coming to an end, allowing older guests or those who need to leave early to celebrate the couple's big day without overstaying their welcome.

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