Weddings are a time of celebration and tradition, and one of the most iconic moments of any wedding is the cutting of the cake. Cutting the cake is a time-honoured tradition that symbolises the union of two families and the beginning of a new life together.
The wedding cake is a staple of British weddings and is often a multi-tiered masterpiece adorned with intricate decorations and sugar flowers. The cake is typically displayed prominently at the wedding reception and is often seen as a centrepiece of the celebration. Cutting the cake is a symbolic act that represents the first task that the newlyweds will undertake together as a team.
Now my friend Google tells me that the tradition of cutting a wedding cake has its roots in ancient Rome, where the groom would break a loaf of bread over the bride's head to symbolise his dominance over her. Thankfully, this tradition evolved over time, and by the 17th century, the bread had been replaced by a cake, and the act of breaking it over the bride's head had been replaced with cutting it together as a couple. This practice then spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to the United Kingdom. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be the only bride who would be raging at getting bread crumbs in my perfectly quiffed hair!
Cutting the cake is often accompanied by several other traditions, such as the speeches and the first dance. The bride and groom typically stand side by side as they cut the cake, with the bride's hand placed over the groom's – however if you’re anything like me and my husband he just couldn’t get that he was supposed to hold the knife and my hand, showing off my lovely engagement and wedding ring was supposed to go over his, so on our photo his hand is on top of mine (insert eye roll). Just look at how young and fresh faced we are!
After the cake has been cut, it is then traditionally served to the guests. Back in the day the top tier of the cake was saved and frozen to be eaten on the couple's first wedding anniversary, symbolising their continued commitment to each other but I don’t recommend freezing a sponge cake for a year!
For those of you who think the cake isn’t all that important, please think again and make sure to include it as an important part of your celebration and a huge plea from all cake makers everywhere – we want to see those cutting the cake shots! We’ve poured our heart and souls into the cakes we make for you and we just love seeing you together cutting into that masterpiece.
Check out some of these wonderful cutting the cake shots and if you're getting married in Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife or Perthshire or indeed anywhere in Scotland and you're ready to get your beautiful wedding cake booked in then send me an email. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Peace, love and buttercream. x
Photography credits to:
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