Your gorgeous wedding cake is often the centrepiece of a wedding and should typically sit pride of place at the reception. However, so often both venues and couples forget about the importance of this tradition and the wedding cake is not given the prominence it deserves.
Cakes: @thegingerbearbakery
Today's wedding cakes are the culmination of years of history and tradition. One of the first wedding cakes came from ancient Rome where a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the brides head to bring good fortune to the couple. In the middle ages cakes or rolls were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over without knocking them down. This is the origin of the traditional French wedding cake, the Croquembouche.
By the 19th Century, the wedding cake had developed into a rich fruit cake covered in an almond icing. When Queen Victoria used white or "royal" icing on a tiered wedding cake, highly decorated cakes became s status symbol, representing prosperity.
Cutting the cake is symbolic itself, the bride historically used to do this herself as it represented the loss of her virginity. Today, cutting the cake represents the first act that a Bride & Groom do together as a married couple.
Today's wedding cakes come in all shapes, sizes and flavours, they could be naked, semi-naked, covered in buttercream or iced, decorated with fresh flowers, dried flowers or beautifully crafted flowers made from icing. What is certain is that a lot of time and effort is put into the design and making of your wedding cake, so the same should be done when thinking about how to display it.
Here are some top tips for displaying your cake to make an impression:
Cake Table:
So often the cake table is a 3ft round table with a white cloth thrown over it, hardly inspiring. Depending on your style and theme, consider using a rustic table, a dresser or sideboard, something a little different. If a cloth is your only option, could you use a different colour cloth or a patterned one. Add flowers around the cake to make a display or a hoop of flowers behind the cake to frame it.
Image via Pinterest
Cake Stand:
Your venue will often have a round or square cake stand that you can have free of charge, some venues offer this service as an added benefit in their packages; however these are often silver, well used and not in the best condition. There are so many options available that can fit your style and theme, whether its a rustic log, a white china stand, a crate, a wine barrel or a piece of slate. Speak to your cake designer and your venue stylist they may have suggestions or stand you can hire, if not think about what you could use. Just make sure it stable and secure.
Image & Cake: @thevalecakeboutique
Cake Position:
Venues often have a favourite spot where they position the cake. You'll hear the words "the cake goes here". It doesn't have too, look around your venue, the room the reception is in and the area outside. Is there somewhere else that the cake could go? By a fireplace (as long as there's no fire), in front of a picture, is there an elaborate stair case it can nestle by, in the middle of the dancefloor. It doesn't have to be in the room where you are eating, it could be placed where evening guests can see and enjoy it. Where ever the cake is placed, make sure its not near any radiators or direct sunlight and that it's safe from excited children who will no doubt be running around at some point.
Photo & Cake: @misshavershamscakes
Photographs:
When thinking about the position of your cake, also remember that the photographer will want to capture your stunning display, both with the cake on it's own and with you both.
Make sure there is room for you to stand behind or to the side. Check the background for doors, fire exit signs and fire extinguishers, anything that may cause the photos to be less than Instagram perfect.
Cake: @devolicakes
Cake Cutting:
Traditionally, the wedding cake would be cut before the speeches, the photographer having taken his photo earlier. Then the cake would be taken away and served along side coffee during the speeches. These days there is very rarely coffee served to everyone, and no one wants a piece of cake after canapes and a three course meal. At Magnolia & Me we always suggest that the cake is cut at the start of the evening reception, following a short welcome and thank you speech by the Groom (or someone on behalf of the couple) and before the first dance. It makes the evening guests feel more involved and part of the day; and they also get to have some cake.
Image: Pinterest
Dessert Tables:
Your wedding cake does not need to be on it's own or in a traditional stacked tier. You could have different size cakes of different flavours on different stands, useful if you have dietary requirements and allergies to cater for, or the wedding cake could be surrounded by smaller individual cakes and sweets treats on china stands or wooden logs. The décor such as flowers, tablecloths, runners and candles will create a beautiful display making your wedding cake unforgettable.
Make sure you actually get to have a piece of cake, ask your caterer to put some aside for you and most importantly make sure the cake knife is on the table ready for the big moment.
Need some help finding the perfect cake designer for you or not sure how to present your cake. Get in Touch via hello@magnoliaandmeconsultancy.co.uk
Magnolia & Me is a wedding planner based in South Wales but travels all over Wales and the South West. They also provide business consultancy and support to wedding businesses.
