Wedding Cake Placement: Where Does The Cake Go?

The wedding cake is a key part of the wedding celebration, symbolising the couple's good luck and prosperity. It is the second most photographed thing at a wedding, so it's important to get the display and timing of the cake-cutting ceremony right. The cake should be placed in a well-lit area, away from the corners and the speakers, and preferably near the dance floor or where the bridal party sits. The cake-cutting ceremony is usually done early in the evening, after dinner and before the first dance, signalling to older guests that they can depart.

Where to place the cake during the reception

There are a few options for where to place your wedding cake during the reception. The most common is to put the cake along the sides or ends of the reception room, keeping it visible to guests but leaving it out of the way of the guest flow and other events such as grand entrances or dances. You can draw attention to the cake by placing a backdrop behind it, using uplighting, or positioning it next to other tables such as the gift table or food tables.

Another option is to put the cake on display in the middle of the dance floor, which is centrally located in the reception space. This means all guests will see the cake as they walk through the room and can more easily watch it being cut. This also usually places it near the head table, so the couple can admire the cake more easily. If you choose this option, it's best to cut the cake before dinner so that the table can be removed to allow an open dance floor for the first dance.

If you want to cut the cake after dinner, it's best to place the cake somewhere that won't interrupt the flow of the party. You should also avoid placing the cake in a corner, as this can make it difficult for the photographer to get good shots and can result in your cake-cutting photos including a wall in the background. If you can't place the cake away from the corner, consider decorating the wall behind it with lighting or ribbons.

Finally, if you're having an outdoor wedding, be sure to consider the weather when deciding where to place the cake. Buttercream, for example, doesn't do well in the heat, and even fondant can struggle in the wrong setting.

When to cut the cake

The wedding cake cutting ceremony is one of the most memorable parts of the wedding reception. It is a symbolic act and one of the first joint ventures of the newly married couple. The wedding cake is usually displayed from the beginning of the reception, near the dance floor or where the bridal party sits, so that it is in full sight of the guests.

There are two schools of thought on when to cut the cake. The first is to cut the cake before dinner, straight after the wedding party guests are announced and the toasts. This option is becoming popular as guests are already gathered, it gets the event out of the way so the couple can enjoy the rest of the reception, and it allows caterers to serve the cake to guests straight after they have eaten dinner. If the cake table is on the dance floor, this is the best option as the table can be removed during dinner to allow for an open dance floor.

The second option is to cut the cake after dinner. This is the more traditional option and is recommended by event planners. It allows time for all guests to eat, mix and mingle before the dance party starts. If dinner is served at 6 pm, it is recommended to wait 90 minutes before cutting the cake at 7:45 pm. This also means the cake won't be served until later in the evening, so guests won't feel too full from dinner.

Some couples choose to cut the cake before the toasts, as the cake cutting can signal that the party is coming to an end. However, if you cut the cake after the toasts, decide which holds more weight for you, and hope that in the best-case scenario, people will stay for both events.

How to display the cake

Displaying the wedding cake is an important part of the wedding decor. Here are some tips on how to showcase the cake effectively:

Location

The wedding cake should be displayed in a well-lit area that is easily visible to all guests. It is best to avoid placing the cake in a corner, as it can be difficult to photograph and may not look as appealing in pictures. A good option is to place the cake near the dance floor or where the bridal party sits. Alternatively, the cake can be displayed in the middle of the dance floor, which is centrally located and allows all guests to see it easily. If the cake is on a table, ensure that the table is not cluttered and only has the necessary items such as the cutting knife, cake plates, and floral arrangements.

Lighting

Ensure that the cake is well-lit and illuminated. Placing the cake near a window or a good light source can enhance its appearance and make it easier for photographers to capture beautiful images without having to use flashes.

Linens and Decorations

When choosing linens for the cake table, consider using colours or textures that complement the wedding cake. For example, if the cake is white, using linens with colours from the wedding theme can make the cake stand out. Avoid using too much linen or other table decorations that may overpower the cake. Keep the level of decoration proportional to the cake, and ensure that the colours complement each other.

Timing

The wedding cake is typically displayed at the beginning of the reception, and the cake-cutting ceremony is usually done early in the evening. The cake can be cut before or after dinner. Cutting the cake before dinner can be practical, as it allows the caterers to slice and serve the cake as a plated dessert after the main course. It also ensures that all guests, including those who may leave early, have the opportunity to taste the cake.

Cake Movement

If the cake is initially placed on the dance floor, it will need to be moved after the cake-cutting ceremony to allow for dancing. Ensure that the cake is carefully moved to avoid any accidents or damage.

Overall, when displaying the wedding cake, it is important to consider lighting, location, timing, and decorations to ensure that the cake is showcased in the best possible way and that guests have a pleasant visual and culinary experience.

How to serve the cake

The wedding cake is usually displayed from the beginning of the reception, ensuring it is in full sight of your guests so they can view and admire it. It is often placed near the dance floor or where the bridal party sits. The cake cutting ceremony should be done early in the evening. The couple cuts the cake together, and it is then wheeled into the kitchen and plated while guests are having their formal dinner.

Traditionally, the bride and groom get the first bite of the wedding cake. Whether you serve the cake to each other with a fork or smash it into each other's faces is entirely up to you. Either way, it's a sweet and sentimental moment that your guests look forward to.

When it comes to serving the rest of the cake, carefully remove each slice using a cake knife and a fork, placing the widest part of the cake on the plate. Be sure to clean your knife regularly so you can continue to cut smooth slices for each wedding guest.

If you want to save the top tier of your cake for your first anniversary, make sure you tell your baker and caterer in advance. This way, your baker can provide a box to fit the top tier, and your caterer won't accidentally serve it.

What to do with leftover cake

The wedding cake cutting ceremony is usually done early in the evening, with the couple cutting the cake together. The cake is then wheeled into the kitchen and plated while guests are having their formal dinner, to be served as dessert after the main course.

However, there are often leftovers. Here are some ideas for what to do with leftover wedding cake:

For the couple

• Serve the cake at a future child's christening or another spiritual celebration.
• "Christen" your newly purchased house by defrosting the top tier and feeding each other the first bites with a glass of champagne.
• Reward yourselves for getting your thank-you notes done with cake and champagne.
• Celebrate a romantic anniversary.
• If you've moved house since the wedding, take the top tier to your new home and enjoy it on your first night there.

For guests

• Take leftover cake home and let guests dig in at an after-party or morning-after brunch.
• Serve the cake to friends or family who couldn't attend the wedding due to illness or pregnancy when they come to visit.
• Give the top tier to your parents if you know they will be hosting their own celebration.
• Serve the cake to your parents as a thank-you for their financial contributions to the wedding or planning support.

For everyone

• Cake pops are a cute way to use up leftover cake. Crumble the cake, combine with buttercream or cream cheese frosting, shape into balls, then coat with melted chocolate.
• Make cake French toast by coating cake slices in an egg batter and griddling until toasted.
• Fold cake crumbles into softened ice cream or spoon them on top of a scoop.
• Make a trifle by layering cake crumbles with fruit and custard.
• Warm up leftover cake on the grill and serve with ice cream or fresh fruit.
• Make "not-bread" pudding by substituting any type of leftover cake for bread in your favourite recipe.
• Use cake crumbles instead of cookie crumbs in a cookie pie crust recipe.
• Deep-fry cake chunks coated in batter.
• Fold diced or crumbled cake into brownie batter.
• Make cake crumb cookies using crumbled cake as the base of the dough.

Frequently asked questions