XP - What IS a groom's cake?

mrszeno34

Groom's cakes are not traditional in my circle.  FI loves chocolate and PB combo and we did not get that for our wedding cake, so I was thinking of adding a small one on as a groom's cake as a surprise.  But I'm not really familiar with the whole concept.  Is it served at the reception also?  Who eats it, - it just another optional flavor for the guests?  Is it small enough just for groom/groomsman?  I know it's often done in a humorous style - is it displayed next to the regular wedding cake?  Can anyone enlighten me??   Thanks all!

artbyallie

We served ours at the rehearsal dinner, though I've also seen them at the reception, next to the wedding cake or with a group of other desserts. I also suprised my groom. He knew he was getting a cake, and guessed that it would be his favorite flavor, but the design was a surprise: a stack of his favorite books (he has a master's in writing) with white king and queen chess pieces on top (he loves chess).

I've always seen it as an alternative dessert option for the guests. I liked having ours at the rehearsal since we had four flavors of wedding cake and a retro candy buffett at our reception. The groom's cake got to stand alone and be appreciated. (Plus, my baker for both cakes was fabulous, so we got to enjoy her cakes twice)

JaxInBlue

Like allie, we served the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner.  I've definitely seen them at the reception and my understanding of the groom's cake is that it generally reflects the preferences of your FI.  In our case, it was my DH's favorite flavor and done in the colors of his favorite NFL team, and it was big enough to feed everyone at the dinner. 

My dad tried to get me to offer the groom's cake as a "savory" cake alternative at the wedding (something like a zucchini bread or pumpkin roll)  and cited some sort of precedent for this.  (I don't think this is true - I think it's just my dad's own cake preference coming through.)  I embraced the idea of the groom's cake being a fun cake that matched DH's personality and tastes.

If you do want a groom's cake to display at the wedding, I'd ask your baker what the suggested size would be.  I'm not sure if you would want a piece available for everyone or to just offer it as an option (as in that or wedding cake).

caterpillar85

I am a cake designer and was in catering for a couple years, and I've seen all kinds of groom's cakes. It's typicaly what the groom likes, whether it be flavor or decoration. I've seen small sheet cakes with a college logo, I've seen a tiered Star Wars cake, I've seen donuts and oreos instead of cake. It's whatever you(FI) want it to be!

It's for anyone to eat, really. Whoever wants it. I've catered one wedding where it was bigger than the real cake! I've also seen people not eat it at all, just for decoration. So get creative with it, or just keep it simple.

It CAN drive cake costs down if you get a sheet cake. It can serve 20+ guests and can cost $15+ (depending on size and where you get it) where traditional wedding cake can be $2/serving and up... you know this, though.

naomikb

Ours was at the reception.  I had the staff bring it out (as a surprise) when dessert was being served, it was small and my H cut it at the head table, people who wanted a piece came up and brought their plate and grabbed one.

It was a Dairy Queen ice cream log cake, since that is his favourite, it was cheap, I think $40.  To me it wasn't worth spending a ton of money on.

kateguess22

Hi Mrszeno! I am also considering surprising my fiance with a grooms cake. I have heard that traditionally you send slices of the grooms cake home with the guests in little slice boxes. They can even be your favour.

I am considering giving the groom's cake to my fiance at our rehearsal dinner and it can be our dessert at the rehearsal dinner. I noticed that the PP said that it's going to be her fiance's favourite Dairy Queen log ice cream cake- that is my fiance's favourite as well! I'm trying to come up with a fun idea to personalize it.

mandi921vh

Usually I have seen ones that are themed to the grooms interests. It can be served at the RD or at the reception as a another dessert for guests.

Awendolyn

My Fi also wanted something special for him but I havent told him Im doing a groom´s cake for him. I just dont know where I should give it to him... in the wedding night at the hotel or in the reception

mbuckley85

I was thinking of getting a very small "groom's cake" for the wedding night at the hotel.  A lot of people I know have mentioned that they were really hungry when the reception was over and it was too late to get something to eat anywhere!

Also, it would be a nice surprise for him :-)

RachelAllison0418

Our wedding cake consisted of chocolate and red velvet but he prefers white cake. So I surprised him with a cake of his car at the reception. He loved it, and so did the guests! 

squarepeg72

Around here, the groom's cake is traditionally chocolate or red velvet cake and decorated in the grooms interest (football, fishing, hunting, what ever). Because FH is allergic to chocolate (and I don;t want him to end up in the ER with an asthma attack from his chocolate allergy) his will be strawberry sheetcake decorated like a football field and a big Steelers helmet. It will be served at the reception along with the wedding cake that his dad is making for us