Eating Your Wedding Cake Showpiece: Is It Safe?

Wedding cakes are steeped in tradition and cultural significance, with some dating back to Roman times. They are also a highly anticipated treat for guests, who often snap up the cake so quickly that the couple hardly gets a look-in! However, it is a common misconception that no one eats the wedding cake. While it is true that not everyone has a sweet tooth, and some guests may be too full to indulge, many people do enjoy a slice of wedding cake. In fact, it is recommended to plan on serving 75%-80% of wedding guests to hit the sweet spot and avoid leftovers.

So, if you're wondering whether it's worth ordering that show-stopping cake, rest assured that your guests will likely be delighted to indulge in a slice or two. After all, who can resist a delicious cake, especially when there are multiple flavours to choose from?

It is not necessary to order a slice of cake for every guest at your wedding

When deciding how much cake to order, consider that wedding cakes are typically cut into small squares, and your tiers will be about 5 inches deep, which is a decent portion. A good rule of thumb is to plan on serving 75%-80% of your wedding guests, which usually means there will be few, if any, leftovers.

One way to ensure that everyone who wants cake can have some is to choose more than one flavor. This way, everyone can find something they like, and it can be a fun talking point if you choose non-traditional flavors. You can also pair different cake flavors with macaron flavors to create unique taste sensations for your guests.

Another option is to offer additional desserts alongside your wedding cake. For example, you could have truffles and chocolate-covered strawberries on each table or a composed cake plate with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of sauce. You could also provide a late-night snack, such as milk and cookies or an ice cream sundae bar, to give guests extra energy for dancing.

If you want to ensure that all your guests have the opportunity to enjoy your wedding cake, consider having it served on trays rather than just leaving it in a corner for people to help themselves. You can also announce that the cake is being served, so guests know what's going on and don't miss out.

Wedding cakes are usually cut into small squares

There are various ways to serve the cake. Some venues will give every guest a slice, whether they want it or not. Others will ask each guest if they would like a piece, or cut the cake and place it on small plates for guests to help themselves.

One way to ensure that everyone enjoys the cake is to offer more than one flavour. It can be a real talking point if you choose something non-traditional, like peach melba or orange blossom and almond combinations.

The cutting of the cake can be a signal to older guests that the day's activities have been completed and they are free to leave. It is also a good opportunity to let people know that the cake is available.

It is traditional for the bride and groom to get the first bite of the wedding cake. Whether they choose to serve it to each other with a fork, or playfully smash it into each other's faces, it is a sweet and sentimental moment that guests look forward to.

It is recommended to plan on serving 75-80% of your wedding guests

Wedding cake is a long-standing tradition, and it's recommended to plan on serving 75-80% of your wedding guests. This is because not everyone will want or be able to eat cake, especially if you're offering other desserts.

Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding cake, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule. The cake is usually ordered 6 months in advance, but many bakers can work with less notice.

When it comes to the number of servings, a common calculation is to have one slice of the bride's cake per guest and a half slice of the groom's cake. So, for 100 guests, you'd need 100 servings of the bride's cake and 50 of the groom's. However, if you're serving other desserts as well, you can order just 50% cake and fill in the rest with those options.

If you're concerned about waste, there are a few tricks you can use. You can ask your baker about offering smaller slices, or you can have a layer or two of "fake cake" made from styrofoam and only for display. You could also have simple sheet cakes in the kitchen to accommodate extra servings without having to increase the size of your display cake.

The timing of the cake-cutting is important, too. It usually happens towards the end of dinner, just before dancing begins, and it's the last "official" event of the evening. It's a signal to older guests that they can leave whenever they're ready. Cutting the cake early also ensures your photographer gets those pictures, and it makes slicing and serving easier for your catering staff.

Finally, don't forget about saving some cake for later! It's a tradition to save the top tier of the wedding cake to share on your first anniversary. Just be sure to tell your baker and caterer so they don't accidentally serve it.

You can choose to have multiple flavours of cake to ensure everyone enjoys it

Wedding cakes are no longer restricted to traditional flavours like vanilla, strawberry, lemon, and chocolate. Unique flavours are now a dominant trend in the wedding dessert world. From chocolate Bailey's cake to olive oil and rosemary, the possibilities are endless.

When it comes to your wedding cake, why limit yourself to one flavour when you can have two or more? Bakers frequently craft tiers that feature different cake and filling combinations to satisfy both halves of the couple and their guests. This way, you can have your dream cake, and your partner and guests can have theirs too.

If you decide to have multiple flavours, there are a few serving options to consider. You could have the cake sliced and placed on a table, allowing guests to choose their preferred flavour. It's a good idea to label the flavours on the table so guests can avoid any they dislike or are allergic to. Alternatively, you could have the cake served to guests at their tables, either by waiting staff or by calling each table to get their slices. However, this may be more time-consuming and could result in guests not getting their preferred flavour.

Whatever you decide, having multiple flavours of cake is a great way to ensure everyone enjoys a slice (or two!) of your wedding cake.

You can save the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a long-standing tradition. While it originally dated back to the 19th century, when couples would eat the preserved top layer on the day of their first child's christening, it has evolved over time. Now, the top tier is generally saved and eaten as a way to relive the special event that was your wedding.

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, there are several steps you should take to ensure it stays fresh. Firstly, remove any large decorations, such as cake toppers and sugar flowers, and transfer the cake to a plastic board if it's on cardboard. Then, place the cake in the freezer for an hour to let the frosting firm up. After that, wrap the cake in at least five layers of plastic wrap, followed by a final layer of aluminium foil, and place it in a large plastic container. Finally, make sure you have a backup plan in case the cake doesn't taste great after a year—you could call your baker and ask them to make a simple cake in your wedding cake flavour, or ask them to recreate your original wedding cake on a smaller scale.

It's important to note that even if your cake is properly stored, it may not taste as fresh as it did on your wedding day. Most bakers recommend storing it for no longer than six months, depending on the type of cake. Cakes with dense and hearty ingredients, like chocolate, hazelnut, almond, and carrot, tend to last longer in the freezer. On the other hand, cakes with delicate ingredients, like white cake, fresh fruit cake, and whipped cream fillings, will dry out faster.

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