How to Cut the Wedding Cake

The significance of the wedding cake has been loaded with symbolism - whether the bride and groom's first cut represents fertility, the first meal of a married couple or the beginning of a shared life - or simply the end of the wedding reception.

The wedding cake should be cut just before dessert at a luncheon or dinner reception, just after the guests have been received at a tea or cocktail reception. Your groom places his right hand over yours and together you cut into the bottom layer with a ribbon-tied silver knife. The bride and groom traditionally share the first slice as a symbol of their willingness to share each other’s household from then on.

It is a loving gesture for the bride to give her new in-laws their pieces after that, then the groom to service his. The rest of the cake is then cut by a friend, designated in advance, or by a member of the caterer’s staff, and served to the guests.

Use a thin, sharp or serrated knife. Insert knife into cake, keeping point down, and handle up. Slice, pulling knife toward you. If frosting sticks, dip knife in hot water or wipe with damp paper towel after cutting each slice.

Steps for Cutting a Wedding Cake :

1. Time the cake cutting as appropriate to the type of reception. If you are having a cocktail or tea reception, serve the cake after the guests shuffle through the receiving line; if you plan to throw a lunch or dinner reception, present the cake after the meal.

2. Gather the crowd and announce your intention to cut the cake, either verbally or with a reprise of the song that accompanied the couple in their first dance.

3. Cut with the groom's right hand over the bride's. Slice through the bottom layer of the cake together.

4. Feed one another from the slice. Traditionally, the groom feeds the bride first, then the bride serves the groom.

5. Serve slices to your in-laws - with the bride serving the groom's parents, then the groom serving the bride's.

6. Have a preordained friend or the catering staff serve the rest of the guests.

Read more on ways to cut a cake. Follow the link to know about how to cut a tiered cake.