Follow these wedding cake etiquette tips and work closely with your baker to make sure all the bases are covered.
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1. Finalize your basic wedding details before the cake tasting.
You'll want a cake that's compatible with your wedding theme, season and reception menu. Brush up on the basic wedding cake terminology and come to your cake consultation prepared with a general idea of what you want, plus a list of wedding day logistics for your baker.
"We ask clients to have a possible guest count, venue location, theme or colors, a budget and any allergies or dietary restrictions so we may accommodate them as best as possible,". "By doing so, the hour will flow smoothly and after the business side is handled, we can get into the fun part: the cake and dessert tasting!"
2. Share decorative cake accessories with your baker in advance.
When it comes to wedding cake decorations, the possibilities (and costs) run the gamut. From intricate handmade sugar flowers to fresh fruit or fondant details, your baker will share possible cake designs based on your budget and desired look. Depending on your decision, you may be responsible for purchasing accessories after the consultation or coordinating with your other wedding vendors for certain supplies.
"If you decide to have fresh florals placed on your wedding cake, your florist will provide these so everything in the room will match," . "They will simply leave these on the cake table and I will place them on the cake upon delivery."
Other decorations, such as the cake topper or serving set, should be brought directly to your venue on the wedding day. If you're working with a wedding planner, they can make sure that the supplies are ready to go for your cake baker—otherwise, it might be helpful to designate someone in your wedding party to handle it. Be sure to confirm everything with your baker a few weeks in advance in case they need additional details.
"If you have a specific cake topper, I always like to see this well in advance of delivery so that I know what I'll be working with when I arrive at the venue,". "Some toppers are super easy to slip into the top of the cake, while others are heavy and require supports within the cake to keep them from tipping or falling. Again, the topper can be left at the cake table, and I will put it on the cake when I arrive."
"We ask clients to have a possible guest count, venue location, theme or colors, a budget and any allergies or dietary restrictions so we may accommodate them as best as possible,". "By doing so, the hour will flow smoothly and after the business side is handled, we can get into the fun part: the cake and dessert tasting!"
2. Share decorative cake accessories with your baker in advance.
When it comes to wedding cake decorations, the possibilities (and costs) run the gamut. From intricate handmade sugar flowers to fresh fruit or fondant details, your baker will share possible cake designs based on your budget and desired look. Depending on your decision, you may be responsible for purchasing accessories after the consultation or coordinating with your other wedding vendors for certain supplies.
"If you decide to have fresh florals placed on your wedding cake, your florist will provide these so everything in the room will match," . "They will simply leave these on the cake table and I will place them on the cake upon delivery."
Other decorations, such as the cake topper or serving set, should be brought directly to your venue on the wedding day. If you're working with a wedding planner, they can make sure that the supplies are ready to go for your cake baker—otherwise, it might be helpful to designate someone in your wedding party to handle it. Be sure to confirm everything with your baker a few weeks in advance in case they need additional details.
"If you have a specific cake topper, I always like to see this well in advance of delivery so that I know what I'll be working with when I arrive at the venue,". "Some toppers are super easy to slip into the top of the cake, while others are heavy and require supports within the cake to keep them from tipping or falling. Again, the topper can be left at the cake table, and I will put it on the cake when I arrive."
3. Create a delivery plan for your wedding day.
Wedding cake delivery takes coordination (and usually a refrigerated van), so be sure to discuss all the details with your baker before the wedding day to align on expectations. Complex cakes may not necessarily arrive in their final form, so your baker may build in extra time for the assembly on top of accounting for travel and possible traffic. Finally, ask your baker if you'll need to be on-site to approve the delivery, or if you can designate your wedding planner (or a trusted loved one) so that it's one less thing you have to worry about.
"On the wedding day, deliveries are set at two hours prior to event time for just cakes and three hours prior for dessert tables, props or showpiece cakes,". "Also, you want to give yourself time to do any repairs, touch-ups or additions if needed."
Leaving enough time for cake delivery is important when your baker is adding the finishing touches, but it also gives the cake a chance to thaw out after being stored in the bakery's refrigerator.
"Wedding cake will be quite cold upon leaving my business, and this two hour window allows it to come to room temperature by the time it is to be cut and served,". "If by chance the cake is a five-tiered cake or larger, this will be delivered in multiple pieces due to its weight and assembled on-site at the venue. My personal cake delivery service includes a box for the top tier to go home in, a flavor card for the caterers and a mandatory signature at the bottom of my contract, confirming that the cake is delivered as contracted."
4. Give your cake the spotlight in its own area.
Your wedding cake isn't just an ordinary cake—it's a one-of-a-kind creation that was handmade for your special day. So why not show it off as much as possible? Designate a table at the reception so guests can admire your baker's handiwork before the cake is cut and consumed. Showcase the cake in front of a window, with a spotlight or surrounded by candles for the best presentation possible. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design (or additional desserts, like cupcakes and cookies) may call for a larger rectangular table. Drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details to match your wedding style.
Wedding cake delivery takes coordination (and usually a refrigerated van), so be sure to discuss all the details with your baker before the wedding day to align on expectations. Complex cakes may not necessarily arrive in their final form, so your baker may build in extra time for the assembly on top of accounting for travel and possible traffic. Finally, ask your baker if you'll need to be on-site to approve the delivery, or if you can designate your wedding planner (or a trusted loved one) so that it's one less thing you have to worry about.
"On the wedding day, deliveries are set at two hours prior to event time for just cakes and three hours prior for dessert tables, props or showpiece cakes,". "Also, you want to give yourself time to do any repairs, touch-ups or additions if needed."
Leaving enough time for cake delivery is important when your baker is adding the finishing touches, but it also gives the cake a chance to thaw out after being stored in the bakery's refrigerator.
"Wedding cake will be quite cold upon leaving my business, and this two hour window allows it to come to room temperature by the time it is to be cut and served,". "If by chance the cake is a five-tiered cake or larger, this will be delivered in multiple pieces due to its weight and assembled on-site at the venue. My personal cake delivery service includes a box for the top tier to go home in, a flavor card for the caterers and a mandatory signature at the bottom of my contract, confirming that the cake is delivered as contracted."
4. Give your cake the spotlight in its own area.
Your wedding cake isn't just an ordinary cake—it's a one-of-a-kind creation that was handmade for your special day. So why not show it off as much as possible? Designate a table at the reception so guests can admire your baker's handiwork before the cake is cut and consumed. Showcase the cake in front of a window, with a spotlight or surrounded by candles for the best presentation possible. A round table is perfect for circular cakes, but a linear design (or additional desserts, like cupcakes and cookies) may call for a larger rectangular table. Drape the table with matching linens, flower arrangements and other details to match your wedding style.
5. Cut the cake early to avoid leftover slices.
After all the effort you and your baker have put into the cake, the last thing you want is for it to go to waste. Not only is it important to choose the right cake size for your wedding, but finding the right time to cut the cake in your reception timeline is just as crucial.
"The best way to avoid having leftover cake is to ensure that your planners and coordinators have the cake cut early so that it can be served as dessert,". "Oftentimes, the cake is cut so late in the evening that guests don't even know that it's available."
If you want a photo of you and your partner cutting the cake, l recommends doing so right after you've performed your first dance. Your caterers can then cut the rest of the cake while guests are eating dinner so that it's ready to serve as soon as the meal is over. Lastly, double-check that the caterers how many slices to cut and how big each slice should be.
"At the consultations, I ask for a guest count and always scale [the cake] a bit under, depending on the design,". She also provides a cutting chart for the person cutting the cake, which helps ensure that the correct portions are being served. "Incorrect cutting can result in leftover cake or not enough. It's best to run out, as everyone doesn't eat cake."
In the event that there is cake left over, l recommends providing favor boxes for guests who want to take slices home. Consider purchasing them to have on hand for the reception or ask your baker to include them with your order for an additional cost.
After all the effort you and your baker have put into the cake, the last thing you want is for it to go to waste. Not only is it important to choose the right cake size for your wedding, but finding the right time to cut the cake in your reception timeline is just as crucial.
"The best way to avoid having leftover cake is to ensure that your planners and coordinators have the cake cut early so that it can be served as dessert,". "Oftentimes, the cake is cut so late in the evening that guests don't even know that it's available."
If you want a photo of you and your partner cutting the cake, l recommends doing so right after you've performed your first dance. Your caterers can then cut the rest of the cake while guests are eating dinner so that it's ready to serve as soon as the meal is over. Lastly, double-check that the caterers how many slices to cut and how big each slice should be.
"At the consultations, I ask for a guest count and always scale [the cake] a bit under, depending on the design,". She also provides a cutting chart for the person cutting the cake, which helps ensure that the correct portions are being served. "Incorrect cutting can result in leftover cake or not enough. It's best to run out, as everyone doesn't eat cake."
In the event that there is cake left over, l recommends providing favor boxes for guests who want to take slices home. Consider purchasing them to have on hand for the reception or ask your baker to include them with your order for an additional cost.
6. Plan ahead if you want to save the cake for your wedding anniversary.
Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a longtime tradition. But as sweet as the concept is, it also takes a bit of planning on your part. Whoever is cutting your cake on the wedding day will be responsible for preserving and wrapping the top tier, so be sure to let them know well in advance.
Not into the idea of eating cake that's been stored in the freezer for an entire year? Many wedding cake bakers will provide a freshly made version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary, which is a great alternative.
Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a longtime tradition. But as sweet as the concept is, it also takes a bit of planning on your part. Whoever is cutting your cake on the wedding day will be responsible for preserving and wrapping the top tier, so be sure to let them know well in advance.
Not into the idea of eating cake that's been stored in the freezer for an entire year? Many wedding cake bakers will provide a freshly made version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary, which is a great alternative.
