Customs and Traditions
Dessert Bar/Cake Cutting
We are planning to do a dessert bar (cheese cakes, waffle sundaes, cookies, etc.). But the caterer and our parents are suggesting we still have a small cake to "cut" for tradition. They also said this will give people a cue that they can leave. So my question is it okay to have this cake if it is not going to be an option in the dessert bar? We wouldn't actually be eating it...just using for photos/cutting. Then wrap it up for our first anniversary. I appreciate your thoughts!
Re: Dessert Bar/Cake Cutting
You don't have to cut an actual cake to 'cut the cake'. I would cut the cheesecake/waffle/whatever is your favourite. They can plate it up nicely for you, you can cut it and feed each other.
It's considered fairly rude to have something for you two that isn't available for everyone.
This is what I'm thinking as well, I don't want people to be upset/feel slighted either. Thank you!
We also had a cake we cut and offered that to guests as well, but if we hadn't we would have just shared a truffle.
The cue to leave is the serving of dessert (whatever it is). Traditionally, that's cake, so I get where your folks are coming from...but you can just as easily have the DJ announce the cutting of the _____(cheesecake, sundae, cookie, whatever).
It was fine. As long as I get some cake I don't really care what kind.
Also, my sister had the small cake when she got married that they cut and then kept for the one year. I'm not sure if you have the same tradition in the US but in Australia, the top layer - the one you keep is fruit cake. That's what they had so not sure I would have wanted to eat it anyway. But they had amazing desserts so I don't think anyone cared about not having cake.
I think if the reception venue is telling you to do it's probably that they've done it before. I wouldn't be shocked by it. If there are a bunch of options at your bar I probably wouldn't notice that the cake wasn't there. If I did I'd be unlikely to care.
As long as that variety includes a piece of cake for everyone, just in case everyone wants one.