Setting Up a Wedding Cake
A wedding cake is a traditional part of many European and North American wedding festivities and setting up the cake properly can add a touch of elegance to your big day. On the day of the wedding, which is typically followed by a reception, the cake is often delivered by representatives of the bakery responsible for making it.The finished cake usually arrives in pieces so the baker or a member of his staff can assemble it on location before arranging it -- often in a place of honor where other guests and the wedding party can enjoy looking at it before actually tasting it. Setting up the cake so it's ready by the time the activities begin will provide the perfect complement for a classic photo when it's time for the wedding couple to cut the cake.
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Things You'll Need
- Table
- Tablecloths, 2 or 3
- Wire
- Pines, approximately 2 dozen
- Garland
- Sways
- Flowers
- Platter
- Candles
- Candle holders
- Wall drapery
Instructions
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Set up a sturdy table that can handle both the weight of the cake and any possible additional weight placed on it by onlookers. Cake tables are traditionally small and should be used for one purpose -- supporting the cake and its decorations.
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Ensure the table is light enough for two people to carry or arrange to use a table with wheels. The cake is usually moved to the center of the room when it's time for the newlyweds to participate in the traditional cutting of the first piece of cake.
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Layer two or three tablecloths on top of the table to give it a “softer” and more inviting look and texture. Add subtle folds that resemble waves to the top layer, Relying on only one tablecloth may make the top of the table appear too flat and hard.
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4
Bend a thin wire and create larger waves that reach around the entire circumference of the table. Pin the tops of each wave at the uppermost point of the tabletop as you work around the table until the ends of the wire meet. The waves should end up resting horizontally at the midpoint between the tabletop and the bottom of the table skirt.
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Pin garland, sways, flowers and other decorations to the wire by placing additional pins through the decoration(s) and then around the wire. You may need to bend the wire at the pinned areas to ensure the pin doesn't slide down the wire. Cover the wire fully around the entire table so it's not visible.
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6
Transfer the cake to a decorative platter that has been placed on the display table. Move the cake only when it is on the display table to decrease the risk of dropping or damaging it. The baker sometimes places the cake on a platter prior to its arrival. Ask him to transfer the cake to the display table. Check to make certain the baker hasn't placed the cake on a piece of simple baker's cardboard, which isn't an attractive choice. Request that he move the cake to a platter if you find this is the case.
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7
Spread flower petals on the table around the cake. Match the hue of the petals to the color theme of the wedding.
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Place small colored candles on the table around the cake. Light them just prior to the cake cutting ceremony. Ensure the candles are secure by placing them in heavy holders so they don't penetrate and burn the tablecloths. Place each candle safely away from decorations, which may otherwise light on fire. Floating candles on water is the safest choice; to do so, use water candle holders, which are typically made of glass. Pour the water into each holder and float candles on top of the water.
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Position the cake in front of a wall or other area that has colorful decorations. Placing a cake in front of a plain white wall, for example, may not be as attractive to the eye as other choices. Drape the wall in back of the cake with a piece of fabric that will complement the wedding theme if you're faced with a backdrop that's less than attractive.
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References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
