What Is a Cutting Cake? A Sweet Wedding Tradition With a Modern Twist

Cakes have long held a special place at weddings, but today’s couples are reinventing that tradition. The cutting cake is a miniaturized — and more manageable — version of the traditional wedding cake, many tiers of which are often purely decorative and not meant to be cut by the couple themselves.

A cutting cake is a small cake made for couples who still want the iconic cake-cutting photo — without investing in a large dessert they don’t plan to serve. Usually, the mini cake isn’t served to guests at all; it’s simply used for the ceremonial slice shared by the couple.

To dissect the particulars, we reached out to pastry designer Lana Morel, who detailed the history of the cutting cake tradition and offers advice on whether it’s a fit for your celebration.

The Origin of Cutting Cakes

The popularity of alternative desserts — think cupcakes, candy tables, ice cream bars — had many couples reconsidering that most classic of wedding confections: the cake. From this pile of creativity came the cutting cake, a sweet solution for couples who want the photo op and symbolic gesture but not the expense or waste of a huge cake.

“Cutting cakes tend to be popular choices of couples who seek the experience and memory but not really the dessert,” Morel says. The mini cakes are typically pretty simple, topped with buttercream or fresh florals. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be chic. Send your baker a design you love, she adds, and they can shrink it without losing the visual punch.

How to Incorporate a Cutting Cake Into Your Wedding

First, Morel suggests sharing important details such as your venue, budget, number of guests and the overall vibe you want for your wedding. As soon as you’ve said yes to cutting cake, your next move is to scout for a baker who speaks your language.

Also, it's vital to communicate to your wedding party. Let close family members know in advance that the cutting cake will not be served to guests. Surprisingly, it’s not uncommon for guests to hunt for a slice after the ceremony! A little heads-up can prevent these awkward moments and help things go smoothly.

And make sure you have plans in place for the cake to be wrapped and put in the fridge post-cutting — many couples stash it away and share it for a late-night or next-day snack. If you plan to freeze it for an anniversary or the christening of your first child, ask your baker about how best to preserve it.

Cutting Cake Alternatives

If you adore the tradition but not the cake, delicious alternatives abound. I’ve had couples do stacked cheese wheels instead,” Morel says. “They are a showstopper and they go well with wine at the end of the meal.

Other possibilities might be pies, tartes, or even doughnuts for couples who have a sweet tooth. Or, if you’d simply prefer to skip the moment altogether, that’s fine, too. Split a cupcake, have dessert at a sweets table, or just keep dancing when the dessert portion is announced.

Final Thoughts

A cutting cake is a sweet, simple way to pay homage to the tradition, without having to compromise your personal style or budget. Whether you opt for a traditional buttercream cake, a stack of cheese rounds or no dessert at all, the most important thing is to do what feels right to you.