George Boyle
Cutting the wedding cake is a time-honoured tradition that is a much-awaited photo opportunity and a symbol of the couple's new life together. But what happens when the couple chooses to have cupcakes instead of a cake?
The short answer is that the couple can still cut a small cake together, and then the cupcakes can be served to the guests. This is a great option if you want to avoid the cake-cutting fee that some venues charge, which can be expensive. It's also a good way to ensure that guests with allergies or dietary restrictions have something to enjoy.
So, if you're planning a wedding and want to mix things up, don't be afraid to get creative with cupcakes!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cutting the cake | The couple should cut the cake together, with the groom's hand over the bride's hand. |
| Cutting technique | Cut about an inch into the cake, then a connecting line, and use the knife to lift the slice onto a plate. |
| Type of cake | Wedding cakes can be any design, flavour, and style. |
| Cake cutting song | Choose a song that is catchy, fun, and meaningful to the couple. |
| Cake cutting location | Choose a solid location with enough room for the couple to stand comfortably. Keep it out of direct sunlight. |
| Serving style | Serve the cake buffet-style so guests can choose from multiple flavours. |
| Leftovers | It is customary to save the top tier of the cake to eat on the couple's first anniversary. |
What You'll Learn
Cutting the cake: the first task as a married couple
Cutting the cake is a meaningful moment that symbolises your new life as a married couple. It signifies your partnership, teamwork, and ability to work together. It is also the perfect photo opportunity.
How to Cut a Wedding Cake
Location
Choose a solid location with enough space for you both to stand comfortably. Keep the cake out of direct sunlight to prevent the tiers from sliding.
The Cut
You only need to cut a small slice of the cake for the ceremony. Stand behind the cake and hold the knife together. Slice a small piece from the bottom tier, then place the slice onto a plate. You can then cut this slice into two smaller pieces and feed them to each other.
The Rest of the Cake
The rest of the cake will be cut by the caterers or designated helpers. They will use the same knife to continue slicing the cake into servings for the guests.
Tips
- Practise cutting the cake beforehand.
- Choose a suitable cutting knife.
- If you're serving the cake as the main dessert, plan for 1.5 to two slices per guest.
- If you're using a fake cake for the ceremony, don't try to cut it!
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The groom's hand over the bride's
The grooms hand over the brides.
The groom should position his right hand over the bride's hand as they hold the knife together. They will then cut into the bottom layer of the cake, sliding the knife into and through the cake together. This is the first task the couple will perform in unity as a married couple.
The groom can then feed his bride a small piece of cake, and she can reciprocate. This act symbolises a commitment to provide for one another and is a show of love and affection. It is best to stick to a simple feeding, rather than smashing the cake into each other's faces, unless you have agreed to this beforehand.
The couple will then place the first slice onto a plate, and the caterers will take the cake away to be cut into slices for the guests.
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Feeding each other a bite
After the traditional cutting of the first slice of the wedding cake, the caterers can take over and continue slicing the cake into servings for the guests. The couple may choose to save the top tier of the cake to eat on their first anniversary, a tradition believed to bring good luck.
If you're serving cupcakes at your wedding, the feeding-each-other-a-bite ritual can still be performed. Simply take a cupcake, cut it in half, and feed each other a bite.
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Slicing the rest of the cake
The caterers or designated helpers will take over slicing the rest of the cake. It's customary for the couple to only cut the first slice, leaving the rest to the professionals. This ensures the cake is cut correctly, and the right amount of slices are served.
The cake will be cut upwards, tier by tier, with the top tier saved for the couple's first anniversary. The middle tiers are served to the guests. The cake is typically sliced into wedge-shaped pieces, but a square or rectangular cake may be cut into squares or rectangles. The key is to make clean, even cuts so that each slice is visually appealing and properly proportioned.
The cake should be cut with a gentle sawing motion, using a sharp, serrated knife. If the cake has been refrigerated, allow it to sit for 30 minutes before cutting, to soften. Cut the cake from the back to the front, to avoid crumbling the edges.
The cake slices can be served buffet-style, or offered to guests at their tables. It's a good idea to have enough cake for 1-2 slices per guest, accounting for those who may want seconds.
If you are serving cupcakes instead of a large cake, these can simply be placed on a table for guests to help themselves.
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Saving the top tier for the first anniversary
Saving the top tier of your wedding cake for your first anniversary is considered good luck. However, it is not going to taste as good as a fresh cake. Here are some tips to make sure your cake is as tasty as possible after a year in the freezer:
Firstly, remove any large decorations, such as a cake topper or large sugar flowers, but small flowers and icing details can stay. Then, transfer the cake from cardboard to a plastic board to prevent the cardboard from affecting the flavour. Next, pre-freeze the cake for an hour to let the frosting firm up. After this, wrap the cake in at least five layers of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Finally, add a layer of aluminium foil and place the wrapped cake in a large plastic container.
If you want to eat a tasty cake on your first anniversary, it is recommended that you order a fresh duplicate cake from your baker. However, if you want to stick to tradition, there is a right way to defrost your cake. Take the cake out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator for 48 hours to slowly defrost. Then, take the cake out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Cupcakes are a great alternative to a large wedding cake, especially if you're looking to save money or want to offer your guests a variety of flavours. They're also a good option if you have guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.
The couple usually cuts the first slice of the bottom tier together, with the groom's hand over the bride's. They then feed each other a bite from this slice. This is a symbolic gesture representing their commitment to each other.
A sharp, serrated knife is recommended for clean and precise cuts. You may want to have a separate, decorative knife for the initial cutting ceremony.
Plan to serve one to two slices of cake per guest. If the cake is the main dessert, you may want to increase this to 1.5-2 slices per person.
Let the cake come to room temperature before cutting to make it easier to slice. Cut from the back to the front to avoid crumbling the edges. Consider adding flowers or other decorations to each plate as a garnish.
Bonus tip:
If you're serving cupcakes, you may want to have a small cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. This can be a fun and symbolic way to include this ritual in your wedding while still offering cupcakes to your guests.
