If you want to know who cuts the cake at a wedding, the couple will traditionally do it. However, we will also talk about the etiquette and expectations regarding this practice and how you must serve your guests the wedding cake.
Speaking of which, have you already secured a schedule for your cake? Read when to order a wedding cake to know the best time and avoid the hassle, especially if the wedding is during peak season.
Who Cuts The Cake At A Wedding And Why
Traditionally, the newlyweds will cut the wedding cake first during the reception. They will also share this first cake slice, and some even feed each other as your guests gather around.
However, it’s not the bride and groom’s responsibility to slice the remaining cake and serve their guests. Instead, after you’ve shared the slice with your partner, the wedding catering team will take the knife from you and do the slicing to serve your guests.
If the cake is bought from another place, they will usually talk with the servers upon arriving at the reception for the cake-cutting strategy. Remember that you have planned the number of slices you need from the cake to serve the guests.
Are you also responsible for making the cake and bringing it to the reception? Here are some helpful tips on how to transport a wedding cake safely.
What Does Cutting The Cake At A Wedding Symbolize?
Cutting the cake is one of the most common wedding traditions practiced in the US and around the world. This part of the reception is even essential to be captured by the wedding photographer.
However, why do the bride and groom cut the cake together? Cutting the cake represents the newlywed’s first activity as husband and wife.
Cutting the cake together can even be viewed as the couple’s commitment to each other now that they are married. But back in the day, only the bride cuts the first wedding cake slice to symbolize the loss of her virginity.
Why do couples feed each other wedding cake?
After cutting the cake and taking the first slice, the next part will have the couple feed each other the cake. This custom is also meant to symbolize their commitment and affection for each other, as the gesture is romantic in itself.
Why do bride and groom smash cake in each other’s faces?
Nowadays, some couples replace feeding each other wedding cake with smashing their faces with the cake. This mischievous act is something the bride and groom should discuss beforehand to ensure that both sides agree to it.
There are no specific meanings behind the wedding cake smash, but some view that the newlyweds embrace the idea that troubles are possible. On the one hand, it can just prove that there’s humor and fun in their marriage.
Do You Cut The Cake Before Or After Dinner?
It’s more common to cut the wedding cake towards the end of the dinner or before the dancing part of the reception begins. It is even considered the last event before the guests can mingle and party.
Back in the day, cake cutting was done at the very last moment, right before the guests were expected to go home. However, it’s worth noting that the decision is on the couple on when they’d want to do the cake cutting.
How Does The Bride And Groom Cut The Cake?
The bride will position close to the cake, while the groom is behind her. Then, both hands of the couple will hold the knife to cut and slowly make a slice of cake.
Finish the wedge with another cut and use the cake knife to lift off the cake piece. If the slice is too big, it’s better to use the cake knife than the serving spatula.
Who Typically Serves The Cake At A Wedding?
The catering staff of the wedding is responsible for serving the cake to the guests. Depending on the setup, they might do the slicing after the couple or take the cake into the kitchen to prepare to serve the guests.
In some weddings, the couple even gives their guests cake to take home or send slices to those unable to attend. Nonetheless, whoever is slicing and serving the cake must know how many pieces it should provide to ensure that guests get theirs.
Does Everyone Eat Cake At A Wedding?
You can assume that not every one of your guests will eat the wedding cake. Some people might not like the flavor or simply don’t like cake.
With this in mind, how do you compute how much cake to order? First, calculate 75 to 85% of your total number of guests to know how many slices your cake must serve.
You can also offer other types of wedding desserts to accommodate additional guests. This way, you might even save more than ordering multiple cake tiers.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We just discussed who cuts the cake at a wedding, and the first slice is traditionally made by the couple.
They will both hold the knife and slice the cake, which they’ll eventually feed each other to symbolize commitment and the beginning of their life as newlyweds. From there, the catering staff will slice and serve the guests.
We hope you learned a lot about cake slicing etiquette; leave us a question if you have any.