How to Cut Your Wedding Cake

Co-authored by Jenny Yi

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

A tower of cupcakes is great but it can’t replace the classic wedding cake. From Ancient Roman times to today, marriage celebrations center around the ceremonial cake cutting. In addition to being a sweet treat, it’s thought to bring good fortune to everyone at the reception. Since this is an important tradition, you’ll want to know how to properly slice, sample and serve your wedding cake.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Planning Ahead

1
Order your cake. If you’re getting a stack cake (typically, it’s three to five layers) from the bakery, you should put your order in at least six to eight weeks before the wedding. If you opt for a two- or three-tiered fake cake, you may also want to order a large eatable cake to act as the bottom layer.

EXPERT TIP

Jenny Yi
Professional Wedding Planner
Jenny Yi is the Founder of Chloe+Mint, an award-winning full service event planning company that specializes in wedding planning, design and floral design. Jenny has been in the industry for over 5 years, and also works closely with notable brands and celebrities on branding and events.

Jenny Yi
Professional Wedding Planner

If you don't want to go with a traditional cake cutting, consider having several different desserts, instead. Wedding planner and designer Jenny Yi says: "If you want to have a ceremonial cake cutting, the trend is to have a 3 or 4 tier cake with buttercream frosting. However, you can also choose to have a variety of different cakes and cupcakes if you'd prefer a more relaxed approach, and that's been very popular for several years."
2
Get the right tools. You’ll need a knife and a server, which resembles a spatula, to cut the cake. You can request a silver-plated knife and server set as a shower gift or ask your family if they have heirloom utensils to pass down. If not, your reception venue can lend you the cutlery needed.

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3
Discuss your approach. Talk to your future spouse about the way you’ll feed one another. Decide if you will share the first piece of cake in a polite or wild way. It’s important to have this conversation before the wedding so there are no surprises during your big moment.
- Shoving the cake into your spouse's face is unbecoming and becoming unpopular because it can spoil clothing, makeup, and the mood.^{[1]
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  Research source}.
- Even if you decide to carefully share the first slice with a fork or gingerly feed it to each other with your fingers, make sure there are napkins nearby. ^{[2]
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  Research source}
- No matter what approach you take, assign the DJ or someone with authority and a mic to announce when the cake is going to be cut so guests can watch the feat.
4
Set the mood. Cutting the cake will be part of your reception’s entertainment. As such, you may want to make the most of it by adding music. If you plan to have a DJ, you may prearrange for a special song to played as you cut the cake. ^{[3]
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Research source} Popular choices include:
- “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies
- “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor
- “Cut The Cake” by Average White Band

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cutting the Cake

1
Get into position. Before cutting the cake, you’ll need to get the placement of your hands right—literally. Even if one or both of you are lefties, use your right hands. This shows you are both acting in unison.
2
Make it look good. Because all eyes (and the photographer’s lens) will be on you and your spouse, stand behind the cake so guests can see your faces. ^{[4]
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Research source} This also gets the cake on camera. Be sure to slice a small piece since this moment is more about long-lasting imagery than instant gratification.
3
Cut to the action. For the cleanest cut, aim the knife at the base (the bottom layer) of the cake. ^{[5]
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Research source} Slice down slowly and firmly. One of you can pick up the server with your left hand while the other takes a plate. Working together, use the server to guide the slice of cake onto the plate. ^{[6]
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Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Serving the Cake

1
Let your spouse taste the cake first. Most people are unaware that next come the parents. Each of you will serve your in-laws their slices. This gesture creates good will with your new family members.
2
Leave it to the pros. Someone from your venue will move the wedding cake into the kitchen after you and yours (and the parents) receive slices. Although guests enjoy watching you and your better half cut the first slice, no one wants to see the cake being divided into hundreds of pieces. The kitchen staff can do that behind closed doors.
3
Take care of your guests. The waitstaff at your venue will reemerge from the kitchen to serve the rest of your cake to guests. Oftentimes, this service includes a scoop of ice cream. However, if you already have a sweet table at the reception you may choose to send guests home with their piece of cake in a little bag. But unless it’s fruitcake, this can be a messy party favor.

Community Q&A

Question

Do the couple need help in cutting the cake during a wedding?

Community Answer

Most couples do not need help cutting the cake.
Question

What do I say when I cut a wedding cake?

Community Answer

Nothing, just cut it.
Question

Which tier do the bride and groom cut on a wedding cake?

Community Answer

The bottom tier is best to cut. Just slice a small rectangle, after which you may choose to have others remove the tiers to cut for the guests.