Unique Wedding Cakes: Exploring Creative Confections For Your Big Day

Wedding cakes are an iconic part of the big day's reception. However, couples are increasingly choosing to break from tradition and offer alternative desserts. From cupcakes to doughnut walls, macarons, and even cheese wheels, there are plenty of ways to serve a show-stopping dessert that pays homage to tradition without serving an actual cake.

For couples who want to stick to tradition, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to order the wedding cake at least six months in advance, and up to 12 months if you're getting married during peak wedding season. Secondly, the average wedding cake can serve between 50 to 100 guests, so it's important to finalize your guest list before ordering. Finally, the cake-cutting ceremony is a long-standing tradition that usually takes place shortly after dinner and before the dancing begins. It serves as a silent cue for older guests or those with young children that they can leave if they're not planning to stay for the party.

Cake alternatives: From cupcakes to doughnuts, there are many options for couples who don't like cake

There are many alternatives to a traditional wedding cake for couples who don't like cake. Cupcakes, doughnuts, macarons, and donut walls have become popular in recent years, but couples are by no means limited to these options.

Couples may choose to serve their go-to treat, such as Oreos or Rice Krispie treats, or skip the sugar altogether for a savoury option like a cake-inspired display of cheese wheels.

Desserts can also be used to pay homage to the couple's heritage, such as Italian millefoglie, French croquembouche, or Italian cannolis.

For couples who want to stick to a more traditional dessert, there are still ways to make it unique. A heart-shaped custard confection topped with fresh strawberries adds a unique twist, while a custom stand can be used to display macarons in an ombré pattern.

• Ice cream sandwiches
• Mini key lime pies
• Belgian waffles
• Pies
• Cheesecake
• Millefoglie
• Pancakes
• Cake pops

Cake-cutting timing: The cake is usually cut towards the end of dinner, signalling older guests are welcome to leave

Cutting the cake is one of the most important parts of a wedding day. It symbolises the start of the newlyweds' life as a married couple. While there is no right or wrong time to cut the cake, it is usually done shortly after dinner and before the dancing begins. It is often seen as a signal that the big moments of the reception are over, and older guests may take it as an indication that they can leave.

Traditionally, the cake is cut towards the end of the reception, after the wedding dinner and speeches. The groom places his right hand over the bride's as they cut a small piece from the bottom tier of the cake. They then feed each other this first slice, and may serve a piece to their new in-laws. The cake is then taken away to be cut up and shared with the guests.

However, some couples choose to cut the cake before dinner, allowing it to be served as dessert. This can be a more practical option, especially if you have a large wedding cake that you want to keep as a centrepiece all day. It also means that guests can move straight to the dance floor after dinner.

If you cut the cake before dinner, you could serve it to your guests while they eat, or wait until after the meal is over. If you cut the cake after dinner, it's a good idea to allow some time for your guests to socialise before bringing the attention back to the couple.

Cake-cutting method: The neatest methods are the box or wedge options, using both partners' hands on the knife

Cutting the wedding cake is a meaningful moment that symbolises the couple's new life together as well as their partnership and teamwork. The neatest methods for cutting a wedding cake are the box or wedge options.

The Box Option

The box option is a good method for cutting a round cake. The cake is cut into a grid, similar to a dartboard with sections and slices down the middle. The slices are usually about 1" thick. This method ensures that each guest receives a visually appealing and properly proportioned slice.

The Wedge Option

The wedge option is typically used for round cakes. The cake is cut into wedge-shaped pieces, with the couple making the first cut at the front of the bottom tier. This first slice is often the only piece the couple cuts themselves, with catering staff or wedding party members taking over to continue slicing the cake into servings for the guests.

General Tips

• Use a sharp, serrated knife to make clean, precise cuts.
• Cut the cake with a gentle sawing motion, rather than pressing down too hard.
• If the cake was refrigerated or frozen, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cutting to make it easier to slice.
• Cut the cake from the back to the front, rather than straight down, to avoid crumbling the edges.
• Add a cake-cutting set to your wedding registry, which often includes a special knife and a cake server.

Cake-cutting by venue: Some venues charge a cake-cutting fee per slice, so consider this when deciding who will cut the cake

Cake-cutting fees, also known as cakeage fees, are a rate many wedding venues charge when couples bring their wedding cake from an outside bakery. This fee is separate from the cake-cutting ceremony and is charged per person or slice. The fee covers the cost of the venue staff cutting, plating, and serving the cake to your guests. The average cake-cutting fee is $1.50 per person, but this can vary depending on the region and venue. Some venues charge as much as $9.95 per person, while others charge as little as $25 flat rate for the whole cake.

If you want to avoid the cake-cutting fee, there are a few options. You can bring your wedding cake pre-cut or cut it yourself at the venue. You can also ask your caterer, wedding planner, or a member of your wedding party to cut and serve the cake. Another option is to serve an alternative dessert that doesn't require cutting, such as cake pops, cupcakes, or donuts.

It's important to consider the cake-cutting fee when deciding who will cut the cake. If you choose to use an outside bakery, be sure to factor in the cake-cutting fee charged by the venue. Alternatively, you may consider using the venue's in-house baker to avoid the fee altogether.

The newlywed couple traditionally cuts the first slice of the wedding cake as a symbolic gesture, which is usually accompanied by a special wedding cake-cutting song and a keepsake cake-cutting set. After the symbolic slice, the caterer or venue staff will cut and serve the rest of the cake to the guests.

Saving cake: It's a tradition to save the top tier of the cake to share on the first wedding anniversary

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a longstanding tradition, dating back to 19th-century England. Initially, the top tier was saved for the christening of the couple's first child, which was expected to take place within a year of the wedding. The cakes of this time were dense fruit cakes, which allowed them to be preserved for long periods.

Over time, the tradition evolved, and now, couples save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first wedding anniversary for good luck in their marriage. This shift in tradition may be due to the fact that the birth of the first child often happens further from the wedding date than it did in the past.

While it is possible to freeze the top tier of a modern wedding cake for a year, it is unlikely to taste as fresh as it did on the wedding day. Couples may prefer to ask their baker to recreate a fresh version of their wedding cake for their first anniversary instead.

If a couple wishes to save the top tier of their wedding cake, there are some important steps to follow. First, during the cake-cutting ceremony, only slice pieces from the bottom tier so that the top tier remains untouched. After the ceremony, remove any decorations, such as sugar flowers and cake toppers, and wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap, not aluminum foil, which can cause freezer burn. Then, seal the wrapped cake in an airtight bag and store it in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions