The Art Of Cutting Expensive Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes are a time-honoured tradition, but they can be expensive. The cost of a wedding cake depends on several factors, including the intricacy of the design, the complexity of the flavour, the number of tiers, the type of frosting, and the ingredients used. To save money, some couples opt for a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony and serve guests a cheaper sheet cake. Others choose alternative desserts, such as cupcakes or gelato. Some couples even make their own wedding cake or enlist a talented baker friend to create one.

Cake-cutting fees: $1.50 per person on average

A cake-cutting fee, also known as a cakeage fee, is a rate many wedding venues charge when a couple brings a wedding cake from a bakery outside of the wedding venue. The fee is an incentive for couples to use the wedding venue's in-house baker. However, if the wedding venue doesn't have a baker, the fee compensates the venue's staff for their work. The cake-cutting service typically includes the wedding staff cutting, plating, and serving the cake to the guests.

The cake-cutting cost is calculated per person or slice, similar to how wedding cake costs are calculated. The exact fee depends on the wedding venue, but on average, couples can expect to pay $1.50 (or more, depending on the region) per person. For example, a couple having a wedding with 100 guests can expect to pay around $150 for the cake-cutting fee.

If the cake-cutting fee does not fit into the wedding budget, there are other ways to get around this cost. Firstly, many venues do not charge this fee if the couple uses their in-house baker or a bakery on their preferred vendor list. Alternatively, the couple could bring the wedding cake pre-cut or cut the cake themselves at the venue (if allowed). Another option is to enlist a family member, friend, wedding planner, or day-of coordinator to cut the cake.

Cake alternatives: gelato, cupcakes, or donuts

If you're looking for a unique twist on the traditional wedding cake, why not consider gelato, cupcakes, or donuts? These alternatives offer a fun and creative way to celebrate your big day while still indulging in something sweet.

Gelato is a great option if you're looking for something different. Like the couple who served gelato instead of cake at their wedding, you can scoop gelato into cups and serve each other bites, creating a memorable and intimate moment.

Cupcakes have been a popular choice for weddings for a while now, and it's easy to see why. They can be stacked on tiered stands to create a traditional cake-like display, and they make perfect gifts for guests to take home. You can even have a small cake on top of the cupcake tower to participate in the cake-cutting tradition.

Donuts are another fun and versatile option. They can be stacked into impressive towers or decorated with coordinating florals, monograms, or cake toppers. Donut walls have had their moment, but donut cakes are here to stay. From simple glazed donuts to treats dipped in colorful frosting, there are endless ways to dress up these classics.

So, whether you choose gelato, cupcakes, or donuts, you can create a unique and memorable alternative to the traditional wedding cake that reflects your personality and tastes.

Cake-cutting ceremony: the first activity done as a couple

The cake-cutting ceremony is a long-held tradition in weddings, symbolising the first activity done as a couple. Historically, the act of cutting the cake was performed by the bride alone, to symbolise the loss of her virginity.

The cake-cutting ceremony is a great way to involve your wedding party or family members in your celebration. You can ask a family member, a trusted friend, or your wedding planner or day-of coordinator to cut the cake. It is important to speak with them in advance about the number of pieces that will be needed and the shape of the cake so they can plan how to cut it.

The cake-cutting ceremony is usually followed by the bride and groom feeding each other a small bite of cake. This second act symbolises a commitment to providing for one another and is a show of love and affection.

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning your cake-cutting ceremony. Firstly, decide on the size of your cake. Most wedding cakes are priced by the slice, so you will need to estimate how many guests will be served. Secondly, consider the shape of your cake. Round and square cakes have different serving sizes, so be sure to plan accordingly. Finally, don't forget to assign someone to cut the cake before the wedding day.

Cake toppers: customisations to suit your wedding cake style

Cake toppers are a great way to add a personalised touch to your wedding cake. Whether you're looking for something simple or elaborate, there are many customisation options to suit your style and budget.

One option is to add a custom message to your cake topper. This can be a simple way to add a personalised touch, and you can choose the message and colour to match your wedding theme. You could include your names, the wedding date, or a meaningful quote.

If you're looking for something more intricate, there are cake toppers that feature silhouettes of the bride and groom, sometimes even including their pets. These toppers can be made from wood or acrylic and can be customised with your choice of scenery or vehicles, such as a jeep or motorcycle.

For a rustic wedding, consider a cake topper made from rustic materials like wood. You can find simple designs featuring the couple's names and wedding date, or more intricate designs with hearts and rustic details.

If you want to include your pets in your cake topper, there are custom options that feature silhouettes of your furry friends alongside the bride and groom. This is a fun way to incorporate your pets into your wedding celebrations.

Don't forget that cake toppers can also be used for other wedding-related events, such as engagement parties and bridal showers. These toppers can be more light-hearted and playful, with fun messages or designs that reflect the theme of the celebration.

With so many customisation options available, you can easily find a cake topper that suits your wedding cake style and adds a unique touch to your special day.

Cake colours: white symbolises purity and status

Wedding cakes can be quite expensive, with some couples spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an intricate and iconic dessert. The price of a wedding cake depends on factors such as size, flavour, design intricacy, location, and delivery fees.

Now, to the heart of your request:

The colour white is steeped in symbolism when it comes to wedding cakes. White represents purity and unity, enveloping the many ingredients of a cake into a harmonious whole. This symbolism dates back to the 18th century in England, where the white colouring of wedding cakes first appeared. During the Victorian era, in the mid- to late-19th century, white wedding cakes became especially prominent. The stark white colour of the cake and the other white hues present in most weddings represented the purity of the bride and the ceremony.

However, there was also a more practical reason for the prevalence of white. During this time in England, sugar was becoming more abundant, but the level of refinement varied. The more refined and pure the sugar, the whiter it was, and the rarer and more expensive it was. As such, the whiteness of the sugar and the resulting confections served as a status symbol, indicating that the host family was wealthy enough to afford the purest sugar.

Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 further cemented the trend of large, white wedding cakes. Their royal wedding featured an enormous white cake that stood 14 inches tall, 10 feet across, and weighed 300 pounds. It was elaborately decorated from top to bottom with white icing and cream.

Today, while white remains a traditional and popular colour for wedding cakes, couples are increasingly embracing a range of hues and unconventional colours, often selecting designs that hold personal significance or reflect their unique story.

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