Believe it or not, the cake cutting tradition is one that has stood the test of time. The symbolism behind the groom’s hand atop the bride’s as he leads her in making the first cut into their wedding cake exemplifies how he will guide her and the two will work together in life and  marriage.

When you hire a wedding coordinator, you should be asked questions regarding formalities you’d like included on your wedding day. The answers to said questions are vital for building your wedding day timeline. One of those questions will likely be, “Do you want a formal cake cutting?” Followed by, “Would you like to save the top layer to freeze for your 1st anniversary?” And, “Is there a song you’d like to be playing while you cut the cake?” 

While we love sentimental formalities, we understand the reasons why couples have decided to forgo the cake cutting in recent years. Sometimes, guests do not eat the cake which the couple spent a decent portion of their wedding budget on. Other times, the couple finds the tradition boring. Or, feel it puts too much attention on them during the wedding reception when they just want to relax and enjoy themselves. 

Continue reading for inspiration to cut the wedding cake or not to cut the wedding cake.

Small Cake, Big Dessert Table

Ensure your guests will enjoy a sweet treat at your wedding reception by planning for a dessert table display filled with all of your favorites. Dessert tables have been a fun trend that we have come to love within recent years. Whether you include a donut wall, cupcake tower, delicious pastries, or a candy bar, your guests will enjoy grazing when their sweet tooth kicks in!  

If you decide to add a dessert table to your reception, you have the opportunity to skip the cake cutting altogether or, you can include the cake cutting in your wedding timeline on a smaller scale. Instead of planning for a large cake which your guests might not eat, choose a smaller wedding cake design which you and your partner can cut into. You can decide whether to take home and freeze the smaller cake to enjoy together on your first anniversary. Or, cut up what is left and add those slices to the dessert table.

Cutting The Cake: Making An Old Tradition New

We’ve seen a bit of a trend happening with couples where they are opting for an intimate or “silent” cake cutting. Instead of having their MC announce that it’s time to cut the cake and having all eyes on them, couples are taking the moment for themselves. Guests are welcome to watch and cheer as usual. However, for this spin-off, the wedding cake tradition is treated as more of a one-on-one moment during their reception. ⁠

Our opinion? We love it! Couples are much more at ease and open to being romantic and/or silly together, which makes for beautiful pictures and video. ⁠

Skip The Sweets for a Late-Night Snack

Admittedly, we love rich desserts, but a savory late-night snack can change the wedding reception game (especially if guests are thoroughly enjoying the bar)! Late-night snacks have become increasingly more popular to have at a reception within the last couple of years and may be a good option for the couples who aren’t big on sweets.

A few fun late-night snack ideas: 

• Pretzels with cheese 
• French fry and tater tot bar 
• Sliders
• Pizza 
• Popcorn
• Any food truck (In-N-Out is a popular one here in California)

Your Guests Are There for You

Whether you choose a large cake for all to enjoy and cut it in front of the crowd or decide to put a twist on the cake cutting tradition, your guests will enjoy your reception all the same! Remember that the only opinions you should truly worry about when planning your wedding day details are that of you and your fiancé. Decide to do whatever makes you both happiest.

If you’d like to hire a wedding planner to help you iron out the details of your wedding day, feel free to book a complimentary consultation. We’d love to learn about your love story!