I like thinking up creative ways to evolve the wedding traditions of yesteryear and bring them into the world of today. One of those traditions (for some) is the cutting of the cake. Everyone has their own opinions on this ceremony – as they should – and for the case of this post, I’m going to assume that you do not necessarily feel it’s something you’d like to do. BUT, first you should know where the cake cutting ceremony came from.
The roots.
Cake cutting (as I was told) came from the tradition of “the gift”. The cake was the first item presented to the groom from the bride (and vice versa) and then the gift was shared with the community. Over time, I feel that the art of “sharing” the gift has turned into more of a way to publicly humiliate your other half by shoving cake up their nose and into their hair. Then, when the cake is distributed to your community/guests, some are too busy tearing it up on the dance floor to have any. For some, it stands as a beautiful moment, but not for most.
My alternate idea.
Ok, so let’s stick with the idea of sharing a gift with each other and then your guests. What if… During your ceremony, after your vows, I-Do’s, and the final kiss, you brought out two small pieces of dessert (this can be anything, not just dessert. Maybe a shot of your signature drink, cake, cake pops, mini cupcakes, anything goes) to share with each other. Then, with the help of your caterers or some great friends, those same treats are distributed amongst your guests to all share together. It would stick to the tradition of sharing your gift, but eliminate the need to cut a random cake later in the night. You can still have a cake – or dessert display, or smote station, or candy buffet, or ice cream sundae station – later in the night, but you would need to take time out of your “getting jiggy with it” to cut it. Win-win, right?
photo by the fabulous Swoon Over It of Mindy and Mark’s wedding. They had a surprise for all their guests: mini champagne shots to “seal the deal”.
Danielle is an experienced and certified wedding coordinator and life-lover from NEPA. She is also fabulously obsessed with love, laughing, details, bread, naps, the color yellow and her pup, Mollie.
