The classic wedding-cake shape with successively smaller tiers, decorative icing and festoons first appeared at the marriage of one of Queen Victoria’s daughters in 1859. In fact, only the base layer was actually cake, the other tiers were sugar paste, and the layers were stacked like hatboxes. The first wedding cake composed entirely of cake was made for the wedding of Victoria’s son, Prince Leopold in 1882. Pillars separating the tiers did not appear until the beginning of the 20th century.

Traditionally, the cake is positioned at the centre of the top table at a sit-down reception or in the middle of the food platters at a buffet. More often today, it is set on a special display stand close by the top table. It is placed in front of the newlywed couple only when the
time comes for it to be cut.

The cake-cutting usually follows the speeches and toasts and marks the end of the formalities. After the couple have made the first cut, the cake is taken away to be sliced professionally. The cake should be large enough for every guest to receive a piece and for slices to be sent to those who couldn’t be there. If the meal is at lunchtime, the cake may be served later with coffee.

Tips :

Popular cake shapes include circles and squares, but also hearts, rectangles, ovals and hexagons.

Make sure you have a sharp knife to hand for the cake cutting. A cake slice is also essential if you are serving the cake yourselves.

The cake deserves a spotlighted table with skirting and greenery. Make sure you speak with your caterer about the way the cake will be displayed and make sure the chef who bakes it delivers the cake in plenty of time to put it in place and then embellish the table with some trim, such as skirting on the table, greenery, and carefully arranged napkins, forks, and plates. Candelabra and spotlights help to
display the cake in all its glory as well.

You should also coordinate with your florist to get any special floral accents on the cake table. Another popular idea is to decorate a very simple cake with a cascade of fresh flowers or flower petals. You will want the florist or the cake artist to place those and not leave it for the waitstaff to do.