The Face-Cake Wedding Tradition: Why The Hate?

Smashing cake into your new spouse's face at your wedding has become a popular trend, but it's one that divides opinion. While some people find it funny, others see it as disrespectful, a waste of food and money, and an inconvenience. Some people have even taken to social media to express their dislike of the trend, with some brides going viral for their negative opinions. So, why do people hate the cake-in-face trend at weddings?

It's a waste of money

Smashing cake into your new spouse's face at your wedding is a waste of money. Wedding cakes are expensive, with costs ranging from $1.50 to $12 per slice, according to wedding planning website The Knot. The time and money spent on hair and makeup are also wasted when cake is smashed into people's faces.

The tradition of the cake smash started with Ancient Roman grooms showing dominance over their brides by crumbling barley cake over their heads. Nowadays, it is seen as a playful and funny moment during the reception. However, it is a tradition that is slowly declining in popularity as more newlyweds opt out of it.

Many couples feel that the cake smash is a waste of money, especially considering the cost of the cake itself. The cake is often elaborately decorated and made with expensive ingredients, only to be wasted in a moment of messy fun. It is also a waste of food, which some may see as disrespectful.

In addition to the cost of the cake itself, there are other financial considerations. The clean-up process can be time-consuming and costly, especially if it involves removing cake stains from clothing or furniture. The mess created by the cake smash can also disrupt the reception, causing delays and additional expenses.

The cake smash tradition can also be seen as a waste of money in terms of the opportunity cost. Instead of spending money on a cake that will be smashed, couples could use those funds for other aspects of the wedding that could enhance the experience for themselves and their guests. This could include investing in better food, drinks, entertainment, or even the honeymoon.

Overall, the tradition of smashing cake into your spouse's face at a wedding is a waste of money, resources, and opportunities. It is a tradition that many are choosing to leave behind, opting for more financially responsible and enjoyable alternatives.

It's a waste of food

The tradition of smashing cake into your new spouse's face at your wedding has been labelled by some as a waste of good food. Wedding cakes are not cheap; according to wedding planning website The Knot, they can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $12 per slice. With that in mind, it seems a shame to waste a slice of an expensive cake by smashing it into someone's face.

The cake-smashing tradition is believed to have originated as a way for the groom to show dominance over the bride, with Ancient Roman brides having barley cake crumbled over their heads. While some couples may still find this tradition funny, many modern couples are opting out of it, instead choosing to feed each other cake in a more respectful and romantic way.

Some couples may also be put off by the mess of a cake smash, which can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, especially when wearing expensive wedding attire. The clean-up may also be seen as an inconvenience, interrupting the reception celebrations.

With the cost of weddings already so high, it is understandable that couples may want to avoid wasting money by smashing their cake. Instead, they may prefer to save the cake for their guests or even keep the top tier to eat on their first anniversary, as is another wedding tradition.

While the cake smash may be a fun and light-hearted moment for some, it is easy to see how it could be considered a waste of food, especially when there are other meaningful and mess-free alternatives to enjoy the wedding cake.

It's disrespectful

Smashing cake into your new spouse's face at your wedding is considered disrespectful by many people. Here are some reasons why:

It ruins the bride's makeup and hair

Many brides spend a lot of time and money on their hair and makeup for their wedding day, and they want to look and feel their best. Smashing cake into someone's face can ruin their makeup and hair, which can be upsetting and frustrating for the bride.

It can stain or ruin the bride's dress

Wedding dresses are often very expensive, and the bride may have spent a lot of time choosing the perfect dress. Smashing cake into the bride's face can stain or otherwise ruin the dress, which is disrespectful to the time and money she has invested.

It can be seen as a sign of immaturity and lack of respect

Some people view the cake smash as a sign that the groom is immature and does not respect his new wife. It can be seen as a way to embarrass and humiliate the bride in front of their family and friends, which is not a respectful way to start a marriage.

It can be a waste of food and money

Wedding cakes can be expensive, and smashing a piece of cake into someone's face can be seen as wasteful and disrespectful. It is also a waste of the money spent on the cake, which could have been enjoyed by the couple and their guests.

It can be dangerous

Some people have reported accidents and injuries caused by cake smashing, such as getting a toothpick or dowel rod in the eye. This can turn a joyful occasion into a tragic one, and it is definitely not worth the risk.

It can be a sign of incompatibility and predict divorce

Some people believe that if a couple does not agree on whether or not to do the cake smash, it can be a sign of incompatibility and a predictor of divorce. It is important for couples to communicate and respect each other's wishes, and forcing a cake smash on an unwilling partner can be seen as a form of disrespect.

It's messy

The cake smash is a wedding tradition that often results in laughter and memorable photos. However, it's understandable why some people might want to avoid it due to the mess it creates. The tradition involves the bride and groom taking handfuls of their wedding cake and smashing it into each other's faces, which can lead to frosting and crumbs getting everywhere. This includes the couple's clothing, hair, and faces, which they may have spent a lot of time and money preparing for the big day.

The mess created by the cake smash can be a major inconvenience, especially during the reception when the couple is supposed to be celebrating with their guests. It can be a hassle to clean up and it might even require a change of clothes or touch-ups to hair and makeup. This can be a significant disruption to the flow of the event and cause delays in the festivities.

In addition to the immediate mess, there is also the issue of waste. Wedding cakes can be expensive, ranging from $1.50 to $12 per slice, according to The Knot. Smashing a slice of cake into someone's face can be seen as a waste of money and food, which some people may find disrespectful. It's not just about the cost of the cake, but also the time and effort that went into creating it.

The mess created by the cake smash can also impact the couple's comfort and enjoyment of their own wedding. Having cake smashed into their faces in front of all their guests might make them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. It can also be a distraction from the moment and take away from the romance and intimacy of the occasion. Some people might prefer a more subtle and elegant way to feed each other cake, rather than a messy smash.

Overall, the messiness of the cake smash is a significant factor in why some people might choose to opt-out. It's not just about the physical mess, but also the potential disruption to the event, the waste of food and money, and the couple's comfort and enjoyment. It's important for couples to discuss their preferences ahead of time and decide if they want to participate in the tradition or explore alternative ways to incorporate cake into their celebration.

It's a played-out tradition

The tradition of smashing cake into your new spouse's face at your wedding is becoming less and less popular. Many people are opting out of this tradition, and for good reason.

For one, it's messy. No one wants to clean up cake during their wedding reception, and it's uncomfortable for the couple, especially if they have spent time and money on hair and makeup. It's also a waste of food and money. Wedding cakes are not cheap, and smashing a slice into someone's face is not a great use of that money.

The tradition also has problematic roots. According to research by Carol Wilson in Gastronomica, the custom started as a way for the groom to show dominance over the bride, with Ancient Roman brides having barley cake crumbled over their heads. It's understandable that many modern couples would want to distance themselves from this origin.

Finally, it's just not that funny. While some people may find it amusing, most adults would prefer not to have a slice of cake crushed into their face in front of all their guests. It's also not a great look for photos. As Editorial Director of Brides, Gabriella Rello Duffy, said, "Truthfully, I have always found the idea of a cake smash incredibly disrespectful. It's messy, it's a played-out tradition, and it really doesn't photograph well."

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