Is it really an honor to cut cake?

sonya95

We're not sure if we should hire our coordinator to cut the cakes ($150) or have a house party member do it. And, I feel bad asking the caterer to cut cake since we told him we want to get our cakes from somewhere else. I've never liked the tradition of asking a wedding guest to cut cake - it can be so messy. But I also don't want to pay $150. So, I am thinking about getting aprons made that the cake cutters can keep that have "Where there is cake, there is love," either screenprinted or embroidered. It's a slogan from one of my favorite restaurants. It could limit the damage to their clothing, make a cute picture, and they'd have something to keep. And I'm sure that 3 of them would cost much less than $150. Good idea?

dittmerbullard2010

I think it sounds like a fine idea about the aprons. However I don't understand fully what you are saying. You want some of your guests to cut the cake?? I always thought the catering staff did that. But since you are getting your cake through them, I guess it might be weird. I don't know. It just seems strange to have your guests do it.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I wouldn't want to do it. Unless it's expected in your family/circle.

Our caterer is cutting our cake with no cutting fee. And they aren't making it. They're getting enough of our money though, including an 18% tip, so I have no remorse.

I Want Cake

Our venue is cutting it for $1/slice.  At least that includes the use of their plates and forks.  We aren't allowed to have anyone else cut it, and since I refused to use their preferred cake vendor, we have to cough up the extra cash for this.  Oh, well.

At about half the weddings I've been to, a guest has been the designated cake-cutter.  I don't see how it's an honor to have to do this, but some people don't seem to mind.  They were usually cutting sheet cakes, though, which are way easier than tiered cakes, especially the big tiers.

waltzingmatilda13

$1/slice! Oh my. My venue charged $0.25/slice. All told it was about $35. Can you try to talk them down on price?

marissa_claire

It's definitely not an honor.  Been there, done that, it sucked.  I was also tipsy so that made it a challenge.  But yeah, my own experience aside it feels more like a chore than a "oh I feel so special to be included" job.

tldh

Have you asked your caterer if they will cut the cake?  Ours came from another vendor but the catering staff cut it at no charge.  As for the option of putting some guests to work, this is absolutely not an honor. 

jerseydevil

That's a crazy amount to charge just to cut and serve your cake! As a guest, I personally wouldn't be up for it. Maybe you can negotiate a bit more with your caterer?

ehathewa

It is extremely common for venues to charge a cake-cutting fee for outside cakes.  They say it covers the cost of the labor and the china, napkins, etc.

I would not ask my guests to cut cake (messiness and would take away time from their dinner or dancing), but it sort of depends on the formality of the event and if you have people who you think would not mind.  The more casual the wedding, the more OK it is... but if you have butlers passing hor d ourves, then this would be a no-no. 

kaesha

Sounds like a hassle to me, not so much an honour.

Simply Fated

A lot of people won't think that's an honor.
Besides the mess, you're taking them away from the party.

Also, cake cutting isn't brain surgery, but it's not exactly a piece of cake, either (haha).
The guest has to be able to judge how big each slice would have to be in order for there to be enough to go around. Also, most people don't know that when you cut a cake, even a round cake, you don't cut it in squares or triangle pieces. You cut thin rectangles, making one cut straight across, and slanted cuts to separate the pieces. Do your guests also know how to take apart a cake, like pull out the reinforcements and separate each tier so their fingers aren't shoved into the cake? Do they know how to pull apart the fondant so it doesn't shred or take off the excess buttercream so it's not a huge, overflowing blob on the plate?
I've always thought that charging extra to cut a cake was total BS, but it might be worth it in the long run. It's up to you.

mysticl

I helped cut the cake at my cousin's wedding.  I didn't consider it an "honor" but I didn't mind doing it.  Of course this was in the '90s when each tier was on a plastic plate and they were separated by pillars.  It was much easier than today's cakes with the tiers one on top of the other.  I've haven't cut one of those at a wedding but did have to take one apart for a b-day party and it is not easy. 

mica178

It would not be an honor to me either.

I'm paying a whopping $2/person cake cutting fee.  My venue is reasonable for most things, but here's where they make their money.

sonya95

I think it might be a Southern thing - you designate a house party, and some of those people are asked to cut cake. It's normal and expected. But personally, I wouldn't like to be asked to do that. I've asked this question to other people involved in my wedding and they think I'm nuts for thinking anyone would be offended if asked to cut cake. I think I'm going to check first with the caterer to see if they would do it.

KaylaSue19

Yeah, I would not find it an honor either. That being said if a close friend or family member either had to pay $150 or have me do it, I would still do it.

I would never pay $150 to have a cake cut. I agree with the PP's. I am pretty sure our catering service did that for free. We had to bring the plates, napkins, and forks, but we got that all at the dollar store so it cost about $10.

frogurt814

We didn't find out until the day before our wedding that our venue refused to cut the cake.  One of H's aunts volunteered to do it.  I felt bad, because I didn't want her to feel like she was working at our wedding, but she volunteered so that's what we did.

MommyMarta08

What are you going to ask Grandma to cut your cake? And an apron to MINIMIZE damage to their clothing? Um, no thank you! Have your caterer do it. Seriously, it's $150. That's like a pair of boots. Just pay it. 

cai0311

I have cut and served a cake at a friend's wedding before.  The wedding was small (about 100 people) so it wasn't a ton of cake to cut.  My clothes stayed perfectly clean, so I think aprons would be a waste.  Gloves are a must, cake is very sticky.
 
Think about where the cake will be cut and served.  Is it out in the open for everyone to watch?  In my opinion that is tacky.
Do any of your guests know the proper way to cut a cake?  Remember the proper is not wedges like when serving it at home.  Make sure to ask your baker for a cutting guide if you decide to cut it yourself.
 
With how much a wedding costs I don't think $150 is worth having a guest/friend do it (unless they offer and KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING).

alainn15

Your caterer expects there to be cake, whether it's provided by them, or not. There may be a cutting fee, but they should expect to cut the cake, as it is usually part of every wedding. Don't feel weird about asking them because you didn't get the cake from them. They probably deal with it all the time.

vegimaven

One thing that's really important to know is that there are standard slices sizes that a caterer is so used to cutting that the staff can practically do it blindfolded.  A guest would naturally cut larger slices, more than likely, and you could find yourself coming up short on cake when the baker actually makes enough cake (and slightly more, probably) for everyone to get a slice.  That could be an unpleasant surprise.

It's extremely customary for a venue to charge a slicing fee, and $150 is reasonable for the nuisance, and the amount of time it takes to disassemble and serve the cake.