The cake-cutting tradition is one that has lasted over time. (It is, after all, the first task that the bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife!) Distributing pieces of cake to guests dates back to the Roman Empire; however, as the wedding grew, so did the size of the cake, making the distribution process impossible for the bride to undertake on her own.
Cake-cutting became more difficult with early multi-tier cakes, because the icing had to be hard enough to support the cake’s own weight. This helped made cutting the cake a joint project. After the cutting ceremony, the couple proceeds to feed one other from the first slice. This provides another lovely piece of symbolism: the mutual commitment of bride and groom to provide for one another.
A Hudson Valley groom asks: “What am I supposed to say during the cake-cutting ceremony?”
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The Wedding Guru says: Don’t be silly — it’s not necessary for newlyweds to say anything during the cake-cutting ceremony! Because you’ll have everyone’s attention, you may wish to use that moment to thank everyone for attending your wedding celebration. Some couples use that time for toasts or other announcements.
Keep in mind that, although there are few speaking traditions at the time of cake-cutting, you and your bride can make your own tradition and use that juncture in your wedding reception to do anything you wish. Just remember to eat the cake!
Have a great wedding!
» More about wedding cake
» More from The Wedding Guru
» Submit a question to the Wedding Guru
» Hudson Valley Weddings 2013
