Cutting the Cake

Boston Creme Pie on the inside.How perfect since Rob hails from Boston. And, of course we all love the moist yellow cake, creamy custard and dark chocolate ganache. The cake insides have been selected. I'm drooling already. The decorations for the outside will feature seashells and dune fences. And on the top a pair of adirondack chairs. Serving 80 people, it will be created by Pastry Chef Ron Zammit (love that his name starts with a Z) at Cakes by Ron.

So I asked Ayla the other day, "Do you have a special bridal knife and server to cut the cake?" She said she did not, so I offered up the set Brad and I used. It has clear acrylic handles. They were given to us at our engagement party in January 1987. My mother engraved our names on them herself. Ayla said she wanted to use them. Not one to put things up as untouchable, Brad and I have been using them since that date to cut and serve breads and cakes for these last 28 years, so they have lots of history. And Gaga said she has an engraver, so we can add Rob and Ayla's name and dates to it. Perhaps we can even put some sweet decoration on it. Will be a precious heirloom to pass on to others.

We talked about the traditions of the wedding cake on Feb. 26 but I wasn't sure if there was significance to the actual cake cutting or if there was a specific way to do it, so checked it out. Apparently this is something you need to check with the baker. Make the wrong cut, and the towering wedding confection could topple. So be sure to find out what Ron recommends, depth-wise and location-wise.

Typically the first cut is made on the bottom layer, just a small slice, cut in two, so that the bride and groom can feed each other. The bride holds the knife and the grooms hand goes over top. They cut the cake together. Make this cut s-l-o-w-l-y, even pause for a moment, as there will be tons of folks, and your photographer - trying to get that perfect picture. After gently feeding each other (groom feeds the bride first, then the bride feeds the groom - this shows how the couple will nurture each other in the future, apparently), the newlyweds can cut two more slices, one for each set of parents, to show the joining of the families. The groom carries a slice to the bride's parents and the bride takes a slice to the groom's parents. The cake is then sliced into 1 inch by 2 inch pieces for the guests (usually out of sight by the kitchen staff). The knife is supposed to be cleaned between each slice to ensure a smooth slice.

There are differing thoughts on when the cake is to be cut. Some suggest right after dinner; others suggest after the first dance as husband and wife. But honestly the best time looks like right after dinner and before the dancing. You are still photo worthy and the guests will be ready for a dessert at that point. Plus the first dance pretty much kicks off the night of dancing. And leaving the cake out there longer is a disaster waiting to happen should someone bump into it. Although for what you pay for it, its a bummer to cut it so early. I read several comments that said the cake cutting signified the end of the reception and folks could leave after that moment. Personally I would wonder why anyone would want to leave a reception before the dancing ... that's the best part!

It's a tender moment for the wedding couple ... cutting a huge celebratory cake and gifting the pieces to the guests. A wonderful way to share in the sweet joy of wedded bliss ... a wonderful, delicious, moist, Boston Creme way.

Discussion: When would you like to cut your wedding cake? Do you see significance in the way the knife is held, the actual cutting and feeding to one another?

Prayer: We thank you, Lord. for the celebration of marriage and the delectable traditions that have been passed down throughout the centuries. We pray all goes well in the creating, transporting and cutting of the wedding cakes. Glory to you, oh Lord, Amen.