Presenting Wedding Cakes: Tips For A Perfect Display

Wedding cakes are a unique creation, handmade for your special day. There are many ways to present a cake at a wedding, from a single cake for the happy couple to share, to a multi-tiered cake, or a lot of small cakes for guests to grab and go. If you want to show off your cake, designate a table at the reception so guests can admire it before it's cut. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design may call for a larger rectangular table. Drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details to match your wedding style. If you're stacking your cake on-site, give yourself plenty of time to get the cake assembled, gaps filled and decorations applied.

Cake assembly and decoration

Wedding cakes are often a one-of-a-kind creation, handmade for your special day. If you are assembling your cake on-site, give yourself plenty of time to get the cake assembled, gaps filled and decorations applied. You should also consider the temperature of the room, as hard butter doesn't taste good, but if the cake is left in a hot room for too long, it can droop and sag.

When it comes to decoration, you can use fresh flowers, but make sure you give yourself enough time to prep them. You can also decorate your cake with buttercream flowers, which can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.

The presentation of your cake is also important. You could showcase the cake in front of a window, with a spotlight or surrounded by candles. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design may call for a larger rectangular table. You can drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details to match your wedding style.

If you don't want a traditional wedding cake, you could opt for one small cake for the couple, or a lot of small cakes for guests to grab and go. You could also have a dessert that looks like a cake but isn't, such as a multi-tiered display of cupcakes or cookies.

Choosing a table

The table should be well-presented and dressed to match the style of your wedding. Drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details. You could also showcase the cake in front of a window, with a spotlight or surrounded by candles to really make it stand out.

If you're stacking your cake on-site, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to assemble it and fill any gaps. You'll also want to ensure the cake is at room temperature before serving, as hard butter doesn't taste good. However, be careful not to leave the cake sitting out for too long, as it can droop and sag if left in a hot room for too many hours.

Timing the delivery

If you're using fresh flowers on your cake, allow extra time for flower preparation. You don't want to deliver the cake too early, as it should sit at room temperature for a few hours after being refrigerated. Hard butter doesn't taste good, but if the cake sits for too long (eight hours in a hot room, for example), it can droop and sag.

Ideally, the final coat of buttercream should be applied the day before delivery, with the cake stored in the refrigerator overnight. Any buttercream flowers should be made in advance and put into the freezer. On the day of delivery, the cake can be assembled and decorated. If your cake is due on another day, simply adjust this timeline accordingly.

Once the cake has been delivered and is on display, consider showcasing it in front of a window, with a spotlight, or surrounded by candles. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a larger rectangular table may be needed for linear designs or additional desserts. Drape the table with matching linens and flower arrangements to create a stunning presentation.

Using flowers

Wedding cakes are unique creations, handmade for your special day. So, why not show it off? You can designate a table at the reception so guests can admire the cake before it is cut. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design may call for a larger rectangular table. Drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details to match your wedding style.

If you are using flowers, give yourself plenty of time to get the cake assembled and decorated. Fresh flowers can take a long time to prepare, so make sure you have at least an hour to prep them. You can make buttercream flowers in advance and put them in the freezer. However, don't deliver the cake too early. You want it to be sitting at room temperature for a few hours, as hard butter doesn't taste good. But if you leave the cake in a hot room for eight hours, it can droop and sag.

Alternative options

If you want to present a cake at your wedding, but don't want to commit to a traditional wedding cake, there are several alternative options to consider. Firstly, you could opt for one small cake just for you and your partner to share, or have a lot of small cakes for guests to grab and go. This could be a fun and interactive way to present your wedding cake, and guests can still admire the handiwork that has gone into creating the cakes. Alternatively, you could present a dessert that looks like a cake but isn't, such as a multi-tiered display made from other treats. This could be a good option if you want to reduce the sugar content of your wedding cake or cater to specific dietary requirements.

When it comes to assembling and decorating your cake, you can get creative and use fresh or buttercream flowers, matching linens, flower arrangements and candles to match your wedding style. If you're stacking your cake on-site, give yourself plenty of time to assemble the tiers and fill any gaps, and make sure the cake is at room temperature before serving, as hard butter doesn't taste good!

Frequently asked questions