Personal Preference: Wedding Cake Optional

Wedding cakes have been a staple of wedding celebrations for centuries, but are they really necessary? The short answer is no. Couples may choose to forgo the cake for a variety of reasons, such as cost, personal preference, or the desire to create their own traditions. Some opt for alternative desserts like pies, macarons, cupcakes, or even a chocolate fountain. Others may choose to have a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony while serving other desserts to their guests. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what the couple wants and what fits their budget and style.

Cake-cutting ceremony

While it is not necessary to have a wedding cake, cakes have been a standard dessert at weddings for a long time. Cutting the cake is one of the most beloved wedding traditions and is often considered the first activity done as a married couple.

• Choose a solid location: Pick a spot with a solid surface where you both have room to stand comfortably. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent the tiers from sliding.
• Take a slice out of the bottom tier for the ceremony: Stand behind the cake and hold the knife together. Slice a small piece from the bottom tier. This piece is then set aside for the couple, and the rest of the tier is usually whisked away to the kitchen.
• Use the right knife: For the ceremony, use a beautiful keepsake knife. However, for cutting the cake in the kitchen, an 8" sharp-bladed knife and a pitcher of hot water are recommended for neat slices.
• Separate the tiers: Each tier is built on its own cardboard base, so separate them carefully. Look out for dowels used for stability and avoid cutting the cake from top to bottom.
• Cut it into a grid: Cut the cake into a large bullseye grid or a large grid to make square slices. The slices are typically about 1" thick.
• Add a flower to each piece: If you have fondant decor on your cake, carefully place a flower on each plate as a garnish.
• Serve it buffet-style: This way, guests can choose from multiple flavors. If there is only one flavor, it can be served to everyone at their tables.
• Don't forget the anniversary tier: Traditionally, couples save the top tier of the cake to share on their first anniversary.

Remember, this is your special day, so feel free to adapt these steps or skip the cake-cutting ceremony altogether if you prefer!

Alternative desserts

While wedding cakes are a classic tradition, they are not a necessity. Many couples are increasingly embracing alternative desserts, with 53% of couples serving non-cake options alongside or instead of a wedding cake.

• Crepe cakes: Paper-thin French pancakes can be stacked high with whipped cream or fruit preserves between each layer.
• Cupcakes: These offer versatility in flavours, designs, and presentations. For instance, you could have monogram cupcakes, cupcakes with edible flowers, or arrange cupcakes in a tower with a small cake on top for a traditional cake-cutting moment.
• Croquembouche: This is a traditional French wedding dessert consisting of a triangular tower of cream puffs drizzled with caramelized sugar.
• Doughnuts: These can be iced in your wedding colours or left plain. You could also have a DIY donut-decorating station for guests.
• Chocolate chip cookie cake: Concentric cookies can be stacked and secured with icing.
• Macaron cake: Macaron cakes are classy, colourful, and elegant. Macarons can be customised with monogram designs or decorations that reflect the couple's interests.
• Cheesecake: This dessert comes in a variety of flavours and exudes sophistication.
• Cheese cake: A stack of wheels of cheese of varying sizes, decorated with fresh fruit.
• French madeleines: These shell-shaped petite cakes are visually stunning and don't need much decoration.
• Wedding pie: Substitute a traditional cake with a wedding pie, such as apple or pumpkin pie.
• Pancakes or waffles: These can be served with toppings such as syrup, honey, whipped cream, and berries.
• Ice cream cake: This can be tiered, frosted, and decorated like a traditional cake.
• Bundt cake: A cinnamon or lemon-curd bundt cake would be perfect for a summer or autumn wedding, respectively.
• Sfogliatelle cake: This Italian "lobster tail" pastry is filled with ricotta custard and spiked with citrus and cinnamon.
• S'mores: A stacked and tiered s'mores "cake" can be a fun centerpiece for your dessert spread, especially if you have a bonfire nearby.
• Cinnamon roll cake: Each tier can be made up of oversized cinnamon rolls or standard-sized pastries baked into a circular shape.
• Millefoglie cake: This Italian cake consists of circular layers of puff pastry alternating with diplomat cream, dusted with powdered sugar, and topped with fresh fruit.
• Nordic kransekake: This Scandinavian cake is made from concentric rings of almond cookies secured with icing.
• Oreo cake: A stack of Oreos in the rough shape of a wedding cake can be decorated with icing and other toppings.
• Rice Krispies treat cake: This childhood-inspired cake can be decorated with ribbons and fresh fruit.

Ultimately, it's your wedding, so feel free to choose whatever dessert option you prefer!

Wedding cake traditions

Wedding cakes have been a longstanding tradition, dating back to Roman and Medieval times. While it's not mandatory to have a wedding cake, it is a fun way to honour the couple's heritage and personality. Here are some wedding cake traditions:

Cake Cutting

The cake-cutting ceremony is often the first activity done as a couple, symbolising their unity. In the past, the bride would cut the cake alone to signify the loss of her virginity. Today, couples usually cut the cake together, with the groom's assistance. The cake-cutting also signals to older guests that they can leave if they wish to.

Feeding Each Other Cake

After cutting the cake, the couple traditionally feeds each other a small bite, symbolising their commitment to providing for one another and creating a sweet life together. This custom has sometimes evolved into the couple smashing cake into each other's faces, although this is usually only done if both partners agree to it beforehand.

Groom's Cake

In Victorian England, there were three cakes served at weddings: the guest cake, the bride's cake, and the groom's cake. The groom's cake was often chocolate, in contrast to the actual wedding cake, and showcase the groom's hobbies, tastes, and favourite sports teams. Today, the tradition has evolved, and couples may choose to incorporate each other's favourite flavours or designs into a single cake or multiple tiers.

Freezing the Top Tier

Many couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake and eat it on their first anniversary. This tradition dates back to the 19th century, when couples would eat the preserved cake on their first child's christening day, usually within a year of the wedding. To preserve the cake, it should be wrapped tightly and stored in the freezer.

Wedding Cake Charms and Ribbon Pulls

A fun tradition dating back to the Victorian era involves placing charms or ribbons with charms on the bottom layer of the cake. Single friends and wedding party members then take turns pulling a ribbon from the cake, with each charm holding a different meaning, such as a ring for an upcoming engagement or a four-leaf clover for good luck.

White Wedding Cake

White wedding cakes became popular in the Victorian era, as white sugar was extremely expensive, and a white cake symbolised the family's wealth and social standing. White cakes also symbolise the bride, as they often wear white dresses. Today, most couples still prefer a white base for their cake, adding colour through decorations.

Wedding Cake Toppers

Wedding cake toppers date back hundreds of years. The tradition is said to have started when a baker's daughter wanted a special cake for her wedding, so they fashioned a bride and groom topper to resemble the couple. Today, couples can choose from a variety of toppers, including classic "LOVE" or "Mr. and Mrs." designs or more modern replicas of themselves and their pets.

Multiple Tiers

Having a multi-tiered cake is a tradition that dates back to medieval times. In the Middle Ages, couples were instructed to kiss over the top of their multi-tiered cake, and if they could do so without damaging the cake, it was considered a positive omen for a long and successful marriage.

Saving money

Wedding cakes are a traditional part of the wedding reception, but they are not a necessity. Many couples are choosing to replace the traditional wedding cake with alternative desserts, and this can be a great way to save money.

If you are looking to save money, one option is to have a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony and to serve guests alternative desserts, such as cupcakes, cookies, brownies, or even a dessert potluck. This can be a more affordable option than a large, multi-tiered wedding cake.

Another way to save money is to consider the timing of the cake-cutting ceremony. Traditionally, this ceremony signals to guests that they are welcome to leave, so having it earlier in the reception can help manage guest numbers and reduce costs associated with a large group.

You can also save money by sourcing a cake from a grocery store or warehouse club. These cakes can be customised and are often just as delicious as those from specialist bakeries, but at a lower cost.

If you are not a fan of cake, there are many alternative dessert options that can be more affordable. For example, a dessert bar with pies, macarons, cookies, or a popcorn station can be a unique and interactive way to treat your guests without the cost of a traditional wedding cake.

Ultimately, the decision to have a wedding cake is a personal one, and there are many ways to save money while still including this tradition in your celebration.

Personal preference

Whether or not to have a wedding cake is entirely a matter of personal preference. While some couples may consider it a necessity, others may view it as unnecessary or even a waste of money. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple, and there are no hard and fast rules that dictate the presence of a wedding cake.

Some couples may opt for a small cake solely for the cake-cutting ceremony, while others may choose to forgo the cake altogether in favour of alternative desserts such as cupcakes, pies, macarons, doughnuts, or even a dessert potluck. This decision may be influenced by factors such as budget, personal taste, and the desire to create unique traditions.

It is worth noting that guests often look forward to the wedding cake and may be disappointed if it is replaced with less traditional desserts. However, as long as dessert is served, most guests will be accommodating. Additionally, having a small cake for the couple and alternative desserts for the guests can be a good compromise to satisfy both traditional and modern preferences.

In conclusion, the decision to have a wedding cake is a matter of personal preference, and couples should feel free to choose what best suits their tastes, budget, and vision for their special day.

Frequently asked questions