Cake Cutting at end of Cocktail Hour?

Cake cutting signals the "okay" for anyone to leave AKA older guests. This may confuse some people.

Have you spoke to your venue about their thoughts?

Our venue is not a traditional venue. It is in the backyard of a family friend's estate.

Usually, cutting of the cake means time to go! Just keep the cakes inside and bring them out when you're ready.

Can you display the cakes in the hall during the cocktail hour and then leave them there until it is time for the cutting, when ou they can be brought outside.

I agree with Mrs.D.

Yes-- older guests may be confused b/c the cake cutting is their signal that they now may leave. I doubt they'd leave after the cake cutting if it were done early, but they may feel awkward later in the evening without having that discrete signal.

Can you leave the cake in the cocktail hall during the reception, and have everyone go back in some point after dinner to do the cake cutting? Or, have the cake brought out when it's time?

We are worried about the temp as well since we are marrying in the Caribbean. We decided to do a naked cake so we wont having frosting running all over the place. Naked cakes seem to be polarizing, either you love them or hate them. Maybe something like that would work for you and you wouldnt have to give up your entrance?

Also, I have seen groom's cakes at the rehearsal dinner.

The cocktail hour is too far away to move everyone back there for the cake cutting. Both cakes are fondant but we are worried about moving them because the pathway from the hall to the reception is rocky. The bridal cake is 4 tier and grooms cake has a 3D detailed mug on the cake so moving the cakes can be dangerous.

I know it signals that it is socially acceptable to leave, but I am doing it right after the first dance, which will be right after our grand entrance. Our venue includes cake cutting, but in order to have it ready for dessert, it has to start getting cut as dinner is being served.

I have never heard of cake cutting signaling it is ok for people to leave. At our venue, we cut the cake right after the grand entrance. FH's family has had countless weddings at this venue and cutting it early has never been an issue. I think your FH has a good idea. I mean are people really going to leave before they are fed?

Is there no way the cake can be in the tent, then you do the cutting following grand entrance? I am not sure why it has to be in the hall...

and Sarah we are doing a naked cake too - FH and I aren't big on frosting, he actually found it

Have you talked to your baker about it? This probably isn't the first cake in humidity, so it might be fine under the tent.

I think it would be ok. I was recently at a very nice, formal wedding, and they never had a cake cutting. The DJ made an announcement that dessert was available, and that was it.

I think they did a few cake cutting photos, aside from immediate family, no one saw it.

We can get an A/C unit around the cake and put it in a corner of the tent or have a separate smaller enclosed tent but we are trying to save a little money by not needing an A/C unit. The other idea I had is to have the cakes delivered during the reception (if we are able to get it delivered later than planned) and have a cake reveal during the reception after it is delivered followed by cake cutting. We spent a lot of money on the cakes, especially the groom's cake, so we really want to show them off.