One of my favorite parts of the reception is when it’s time to cut the cake. Why? Not just because my favorite dessert is cake (yellow cake with chocolate icing), but because my couples look at me and ask, “What do we do?” Almost every single couple I’ve had the pleasure of photographing draws a blank when they finally get to cut their cake. It’s not something people have a lot of practice at, especially if your cake has many features on it. 

So when my couples finally ask the question and shrug their shoulders, I tell them what I’ve seen other couples do before. Usually, both of you place one hand on top of one another and hold onto what may be a fancy engraved knife to cut one to two pieces of cake for yourselves. 

So when my couples finally ask the question and shrug their shoulders, I tell them what I’ve seen other couples do before. Usually, both of you place one hand on top of one another and hold onto what may be a fancy engraved knife to cut one or two pieces of cake for yourselves. 

The tradition is that your guests do not eat dessert or cake before the couple does. Cakes are a symbol of celebration, and on a wedding day, of course, you celebrate love. 

Not everybody has a cake at their wedding nowadays. Some people do cupcakes, cookies, or other little pastries. Some couples decide they want their main cake, and then a groom’s cake. A groom’s cake is usually a smaller cake that is all about whatever the groom wants. While it was originally for a second cake flavor option, the groom’s cake is rarely the one that is cut and served. 

Some couples chose one person to cut the cake because some cakes can be difficult to cut. Once you have your piece or pieces ready, next comes the best part, the feeding. 

The Feeding:

The cake cutting has got to be one of the best traditions at weddings. Whoever thought of it, kudos to you. You get to feed each other the first bite of your cake. You can use forks and go one at a time, or lock arms with each other and feed yourselves, or smash it all over your lover’s face. That’s why the cake cutting is after sunset photos! 

I have a favorite, can you guess? 

Whatever you decide to do, I’m here for it. Once you’ve cut the cake, the caterers take over, then it’s time to serve dessert! 

-Taliya Michelle