The Perfect Timing For Wedding Cake Cutting

Cutting the cake is a highly anticipated moment in a wedding ceremony, often the last ceremonial event before the party begins. It's a time when the newlyweds invite their guests to watch them cut the cake together, symbolising the first time the couple breaks bread as husband and wife. While there is no set time to cut the cake, it is usually done after dinner and before the first dance.

Cake-cutting etiquette

The cake-cutting ceremony is one of the most important parts of your wedding day and will be one of the first joint ventures as a married couple. Traditionally, the cake is cut towards the end of the reception, after the wedding dinner, and is the last formal moment of the day. However, modern couples are increasingly choosing to cut the cake earlier in the evening, sometimes even before dinner, to signal that the cake will be served as dessert.

How to Cut the Cake

The groom begins by cutting the bottom layer of the cake with his right hand, while the bride places her hand on top of his. The couple then cut a small slice of cake and feed it to each other. They may then serve a piece to their new in-laws.

How to Announce the Cake-Cutting

When it's time to cut the cake, the DJ or emcee can make an announcement so that guests are aware. For example, "the couple plans to cut the cake in the next ten minutes by the stage." The DJ can also play a few wedding songs to set the scene.

Cake-Cutting Photography

If you want to get great photos of the cake-cutting, stand to the side of the cake, rather than in front of it, so that the majority of the cake's decoration is in shot.

Serving the Cake

Once the cake has been formally cut, the waiting staff will take it to the kitchen to be sliced and served to the guests. You may wish to ask the DJ/Best Man/Toastmaster to announce when the cake is served.

Cake-Cutting Superstitions

In the past, the cake-cutting ceremony was seen as a signal that guests were welcome to head home, particularly for older guests. So, if you are having a lot of older guests, you may wish to cut the cake earlier in the evening so that they don't miss any of the formalities.

Saving the Cake

It is traditional for the couple to save the top tier of the wedding cake to share on their first anniversary.

When to announce cake-cutting

The cake-cutting ceremony is one of the most important and memorable parts of a wedding. It is the first joint venture of the newly married couple and the first task they do in unity. Traditionally, the cake-cutting happens at the end of the wedding reception, after dinner and the speeches, and it is the last formal moment of the day. However, modern couples often choose to cut the cake earlier in the evening, sometimes even before dinner, to use the cake as a dessert.

If you are sticking to tradition, the cake-cutting will be the last major event of the day, so there is no need to announce it specifically. However, if you are cutting the cake earlier, it is a good idea to give your guests a rough timeframe so they can be present for the special moment. You can ask your DJ or emcee to make an announcement, such as "the couple plans to cut the cake in the next ten minutes by the stage." This will also give your guests time to get seated and settled.

You can also ask your DJ to play a few wedding songs to set the scene before the cake-cutting begins and then switch to your favourite cake-cutting songs once you are ready to start.

Benefits of Announcing Cake-Cutting

Announcing the cake-cutting gives your guests a chance to gather around you and your partner and creates a special moment for everyone to enjoy. It also ensures that your photographer can capture the moment and get some great pictures of you, your partner, and the cake. If you are cutting the cake earlier in the evening, announcing it will also help to create a smooth transition to the next part of the reception, whether that is dinner, dancing, or something else.

How to display your cake

Displaying your wedding cake is an important part of your wedding day, and there are a few things to consider to ensure you get some great photos. Firstly, think about where and how you want to display your cake. Many venues will have a preferred area for the cake, so remember to ask where it will be placed and ensure you're happy with the location. If it's not to your liking, get creative with a floral backdrop or neon monogram.

Consider the decoration on your cake and how it will be viewed by your guests and photographer. Many cakes are predominantly decorated at the front, so standing to the side will ensure you get a great photo of both you and the cake. You could also ask your photographer to take some photos before the reception to ensure you get the perfect shot.

If you're using a cake stand, your venue may be able to provide one, or you could hire one in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Ensure the stand complements your cake and the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

If you want to include your cake in your wedding photos, it's a good idea to cut the cake before your photographer leaves for the day.

Serving the cake

Once the happy couple has cut the cake, the cake is usually taken away by the chef or waiting staff to be cut into portions for the guests. If you are serving the cake in the evening, it's a good idea to ask the DJ, best man or toastmaster to announce when the cake is being served. The cake portions can be offered to guests on platters by waiting staff, or left on a table for guests to help themselves.

If you have a large cake, you may want to distribute a separate undecorated sheet cake to guests and keep the original for yourselves. This is a budget-friendly option.

It's a good idea to leave a couple of cake boxes at the venue: one for any leftover cake and another for delicate sugar flowers, if your cake has them.

And if you have any leftover cake, it makes a great breakfast treat and hangover cure!

What to do with leftovers

There are many things to consider when planning your wedding, and one of the most important is the cake! But what do you do with any leftovers?

Firstly, don't worry too much about having leftovers. It's always better to have too much than too little, and you can be sure your guests will appreciate having enough cake to go around. Plus, if you have leftovers, it means you don't have to worry about running out of cake during the reception.

That being said, there are a few things you can do to minimise waste. One option is to have your waiting staff offer cake to your guests on platters, rather than leaving it on a table for them to help themselves. This way, you can keep track of how much cake is being eaten and adjust the portions accordingly. Another option is to have a smaller tiered cake and supplement it with cupcakes or other baked goods in the same flavour. That way, you'll still have a show-stopping cake to display, but you won't be left with as much surplus.

If you do end up with leftovers, don't worry! There are plenty of ways to make use of them. One idea is to send slices of cake home with your guests as a tasty wedding favour. You could also offer cake to your catering staff or other vendors who worked at your wedding – they'll surely appreciate the gesture. If you have a lot of cake left over, you could donate it to a local shelter or food bank.

Finally, don't forget to save some cake for yourselves! It's traditional to save the top tier of the wedding cake for the christening of the couple's first child, and the middle tier for their first anniversary. But even if you're not planning on having children right away, it's still a nice idea to freeze a few slices to enjoy on your first anniversary or another special occasion. That way, you can relive the magic of your wedding day all over again.

Frequently asked questions