There are things you as a couple can do to end up with better cake cutting photos and to have a better experience. Knowing where to place your cake, how to stand, and what the traditional steps of this wedding ceremony are will help you will feel more comfortable during the cutting event. Follow these tips, from start to finish, to get the most out of your wedding cake photography and experience.
There are several important steps to cutting a wedding cake, and each is a moment that can come and go very quickly.
To get the best photos, it is important for you to take it slow and pause when you are doing each of them. Everyone will want to see what is happening, and your photographer will need to capture each shot.
For the best wedding cake cutting photos, move your wedding cake away from a wall and out of the corner. Ask your venue coordinator or wedding planner to move the cake into the open before you cut it. This will prevent you from having your back to the crowd or to your wedding photographer.
When you and your new spouse cut the cake, face the crowd. Make sure the cake is facing the crowd, as well. The front of the cake should face out so that it can be seen in the photos.
First and foremost: Do not rush this important event and take it slow.
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need:
- Knife or cake cutter
- Cake Lifter
- Two Plates
- Two Forks
- Napkins
- Champagne (optional, but recommended!)
Before you cut into your beautiful and expensive cake, look at the cake, admire the cake, "ooh" and "aah" - enjoy it before it is cut and eaten!
If there is a topper on the cake, pose like the topper (always makes the crowd laugh). This pose also makes a great photo.
When you are ready to cut the cake, place the knife lightly on top of where you plan to cut. Have the other person put their hand on top of yours so that you can cut the cake together. This is a great time to kiss.
Now SLOWLY lower the knife and enjoy the moment. This is a very significant and special time! Smile again when you feel the knife hit the base - You are about to eat your delicious cake. This is the big moment!
Repeat this movement until you can safely separate the slice from the rest of the cake. Place the cake lifter under the slice (only one person needs to do this), lift, and place onto the center of the plate.
If you plan to feed each other or when you take your first bite, when you have at least one plate with cake on it and two forks, turn to face each other. Feed each other one at a time, and feed slowly and gently, and be sure to pause briefly when you put the fork in the other's mouth. Be gentle - No one wants a fork poked into his or her lip or gums.
When the big cake-cutting event is over, touch your champagne glasses together before you drink, look each other in the eyes, and be sure to kiss after the toast.
When you are through, be kind and gently remove any errant cake off each other's face or clothing with a napkin. Be especially gentle if someone is wearing make-up so that it the makeup is not smeared or removed.
Cake Cutting Etiquette
Make sure the first people to receive slices of cake (after the couple) are the grandparents, parents, and any distinguished or honored guests.
Ideally, there would be a staff member to finish cutting the rest of the cake so that everyone can get back to the party. However, if there is no staff to assist with finishing cutting, the maid of honor or matron of honor, or one of the mothers or other close relative of the couple should cut the cake for the rest of the guests. The couple should not have to do this!
You may be nervous and unknowingly hurry through the cake cutting, but if you rush through this ceremonial event, you will be cheating yourself and your guests out of a great experience. Being conscious of and knowing that you need to not hurry will force you to slow down, allow you to enjoy it more, and make for better photos.
April Wright is a published, award-winning professional Ellicott City Wedding Photographer and Ellicott City Lifestyle Portrait Photographer in Maryland. She is a member of the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).
April loves weddings and sharing her passion for wedding photojournalism and custom portrait photography through her company, Elusion, which serves the greater Baltimore and Washington DC metro areas. Part of a creative and talented photography team, she has extensive experience with portraiture and documentary photography for events large and small, intimate to extravagant.