A Guide To Eating Wedding Cake

Wedding cake: a sweet and sentimental moment that guests look forward to. But does anyone actually eat it?

The short answer is yes, people do eat wedding cake. However, not everyone will indulge, and it's not uncommon for wedding cake to be left untouched. So, how can you ensure your wedding cake doesn't go to waste?

Firstly, consider the timing. In the past, cake-cutting signalled the end of the reception, but today it usually happens earlier, towards the end of dinner, just before dancing begins. This timing lets older guests know they can depart whenever they're ready without missing any formalities.

Secondly, make sure your guests know the cake is available. It's a good idea to announce that the cake is being served, and you can also include the cake-cutting in this tradition if you wish.

Thirdly, think about how you'll serve the cake. It's recommended to serve the cake on trays rather than leaving it for people to help themselves. You could even have it plated and served by waiters.

Finally, consider offering more than one flavour. This way, everyone is sure to find something they like, and it can be a great talking point if you choose something non-traditional.

So, while not everyone will eat wedding cake, with a little planning, you can ensure that those who want to can indulge in this sweet treat.

Cake-cutting ceremony

The cake-cutting ceremony is a time-honoured tradition that dates back to ancient Rome, where a simple wheat or barley loaf was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple and their guests. Today, the cake-cutting ceremony symbolises the newlyweds' first act as a married couple, setting the tone for their life together. It is also a practical way to serve dessert to the guests.

The cake-cutting ceremony usually takes place during the wedding reception, after dinner, and before the first dance. It is often seen as a signal to guests that the reception is almost over and they can start heading home, especially for older guests. Therefore, it is usually recommended to schedule the cake-cutting ceremony earlier in the reception, so that guests with young children or elderly guests can leave early if they wish.

The cake should be placed where everyone can see it during the speeches. At the end of the speeches, the couple can stand up and cut a slice of cake, ensuring they don't stand in front of the cake so that the guests can still see. It is customary for the bride to make the first cut, often with the groom's hand over hers, followed by the couple feeding each other the first bites. This symbolises their commitment to providing for and caring for each other.

After the couple has made the first cut, usually at the front of the bottom tier, the catering staff or wedding party members take over, using the same knife to continue slicing the cake and serve it to the guests. The couple may choose to play music or a short video during the cake-cutting ceremony to make it more of an event. It is important that everyone gets a slice of the cake before they leave the reception.

Serving the cake

The cake-cutting ceremony is a special moment in a wedding, often accompanied by a song and a toast. Traditionally, the bride and groom get the first bite of the wedding cake, either serving it to each other with a fork or smashing it into each other's faces. This is a sweet and sentimental moment that guests look forward to.

When it comes to serving the cake to your guests, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, not everyone will want a slice of cake, so it is recommended to plan on serving 75%-80% of your wedding guests. This usually hits the sweet spot, ensuring that there are few, if any, leftovers.

Secondly, the timing of the cake cutting plays a role in your reception. In the past, cake-cutting signalled the end of the reception, indicating to guests that they could head home. Today, it still serves a similar purpose, especially for older guests. The cake is usually cut towards the end of dinner, just before dancing begins, and is the last "official" event of the evening.

To ensure your guests can easily access the cake, it is recommended to serve it on trays rather than leaving it in a corner for people to help themselves. You can also announce that the cake is going to be served, so guests know what to expect.

If you have multiple tiers or flavours, consider whether you want every tier cut and served or if you'd like to keep some cake aside for friends and family. You could even have half your cake served with coffee and the other half served later in the evening when guests get peckish again.

Finally, don't forget to clean your knife regularly to ensure smooth slices for each guest, and be sure to tell your baker and caterer in advance if you plan on saving the top tier of your cake for your first anniversary.

Saving leftovers

Wrapping and Storing:

Firstly, it's important to act quickly to preserve the freshness of the cake. Designate someone from the wedding party or a caterer to wrap the leftover cake as soon as possible. The cake should be wrapped tightly in plastic shrink wrap, followed by a layer of tin foil. Then, place the wrapped cake inside an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. If you plan to freeze the cake for a longer period, follow the same steps but place the airtight container in the freezer instead.

Cake Types:

Not all cakes are created equal when it comes to freezing. Cakes with more moisture tend to do better in the freezer. Oil-based cakes are known to last longer than butter-based ones, and chocolate cakes often fare better than vanilla. If your cake has fruit-based fillings, keep in mind that the texture of the fruit may change during freezing and thawing.

Thawing:

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover wedding cake, allow it to thaw slowly. Take the cake out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for around 24 hours. Then, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture and taste of the cake.

Sharing with Guests:

If you have a significant amount of leftover cake, consider sharing it with your guests. It's a lovely way to extend the celebration beyond the wedding day. You can package individual slices or small portions of the cake as favours for your guests to enjoy at home. Alternatively, you can serve the leftover cake at a day-after-the-wedding brunch or any post-wedding gathering. Very few people will turn down free cake!

Saving the Top Tier:

A long-standing tradition suggests saving the top tier of the wedding cake to eat on your first wedding anniversary. This custom is said to bring good luck and stems from the 19th-century practice of saving the top tier for the christening of the couple's first child. If you choose to follow this tradition, ensure the top tier is properly wrapped and stored in the freezer. When your first anniversary arrives, take it out to thaw and enjoy a sweet trip down memory lane.

Alternative desserts

If you're not a fan of traditional wedding cake, there are plenty of alternative dessert options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Macaroons/Macarons

Colourful, sophisticated, and with assorted flavours, macaroons/macarons are a perfect fancy dessert item. You can choose different flavour and colour combinations to match your wedding theme.

Cake Pops

Cake pops provide a fun new way to have cake at a wedding. They are bite-sized, so you don't have to worry about "cutting" the cake, and you can have a variety of flavour options.

Cannolis

Cannolis are versatile Italian treats that can be filled with different flavours and arranged in fun ways. They add a sense of "professional catering" to your wedding.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a great alternative if you want a more traditional cake but with more flavour options and in a grab-and-go form. They can also be decorated to fit the theme of your wedding.

S'mores

S'mores are a fun dessert option that can double as an activity for guests, especially for fall and winter weddings. Guests can warm up by the fire and make their own s'mores.

Doughnuts

Doughnuts are versatile and come in a variety of flavours. They can be arranged in fun ways, such as a doughnut wall or a doughnut bar, and you can even have a doughnut-creating station where guests can frost and decorate their own.

Cheesecake/Mousse in Mason Jars

Cheesecake or mousse served in mason jars looks beautiful and can be customised with different toppings. It can also be a "make your own" activity for guests, who can add their choice of toppings to the base treat.

Pie

Pie is a perfect alternative for couples who don't like cake, especially for fall weddings. You can have a variety of pie flavours, such as pumpkin or apple, and they can be stacked in a cake-like shape and adorned with chocolate-covered strawberries.

Ice Cream

Ice cream can be served in a sundae bar or as an ice cream cake, which can be tiered, frosted, and decorated like a traditional cake.

Cookies

Cookies are a classic, comforting dessert option. You can have a variety of flavours and decorate them to fit your wedding theme.

Crepe Cake

Crepe cakes can be kept low or stacked high, with whipped cream or fruit preserves between each layer. They can be decorated with fresh flowers, fruit, or other classic options.

Croquembouche

A croquembouche is a traditional French wedding dessert consisting of a triangular tower of cream puffs drizzled with caramelised sugar. You can add wheels and peels of citrus or small flowers to make it extra special.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Stacks of concentric chocolate chip cookies can be secured with attractive icing techniques, leaving the edges exposed to tempt your guests.

Cheesecake

A tiered cheesecake can be a simple yet elegant alternative, especially if you want to showcase a gorgeous layer of graham cracker crust.

Cheese Cake

A "cheese cake" is a wedding cake made from stacked wheels of cheese, decorated with fresh fruits. This is a popular savoury alternative, especially if you source wheels from your wedding location or places that are significant to your relationship.

French Madeleines

Golden, crispy-edged French madeleines can be stacked into a stunning tower. They are visually stunning and don't need much in the way of decoration.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Ultimately, it's your wedding, so choose whatever dessert you and your partner love!

Cake-eating etiquette

The happy couple traditionally get the first bite of the wedding cake. Whether they choose to serve it to each other with a fork or smash it into each other's faces is entirely up to them. This is a sweet and sentimental moment that guests look forward to.

The cake-cutting ceremony is usually the last "official" event of the evening. It is a signal to older guests that they are welcome to leave whenever they are ready and that they will not miss any of the formalities if they choose to depart.

It is important to serve the cake in a way that makes it easy for guests to dive in. Arrange for the cake to be served on trays rather than left in a corner for people to help themselves. You could also have it announced that the cake is going to be served—people like to know what's going on, especially when it concerns food!

It is also worth noting that not everyone will want to eat cake. There will be people who are too full, don't have a sweet tooth, or simply don't want to sample your wedding cake. Ordering enough cake to serve 75%-80% of your wedding guests usually hits the sweet spot, with few, if any, leftovers.

If you want to ensure that everyone enjoys your cake, choose more than one flavour. This way, everyone finds something they like, and it can be a real talking point if you choose something non-traditional.

Finally, consider saving the top tier of your wedding cake to share on your first anniversary. Just make sure you tell your baker and caterer in advance so they don't accidentally serve it.

Frequently asked questions