Cake cutting before dinner?

Makes sense to cut it before dinner because they will get it cut for dessert. I don't like when they cut it as soon as the reception starts, because then I can't see the cake.

We are doing cupcakes... But I'm totally stressed about timeline do you think this saves time?

I have heard of it being cut after the first dance. We may do this, but I want to talk to our Day of Coordinator to see his opinion on this.

I was actually considering this as well, but have never seen it done!

I'd love to hear some more opinions/pros/cons as well.

For me, I may have my wedding inside a restored Victorian home and then have the reception outside to allow more room. I thought it might be better to have the cake in the house, but was wondering about going to the reception outside, then having people come back inside for cake cutting.

When would this be done though? Ceremony, Pictures, Cake Cutting, Reception? (was thinking of having guest book/time capsule inside as well) Or Ceremony, Cake Cutting, Pictures, Reception - I think this is a bit more awkward though?

I am doing cupcakes too with a small cake on top for the cutting ceremony. We will cut right after our first dance as well to get it all out of the way, more partying, and less time that I have to pay the photographer.

We did the cake cut after the formal dances to get all the formal things out of the way for the older guests to head home without missing anything.

I have seen the cake cut before dinner was served. It was extremly weird. It felt out of place. Normally, the cake is cut after dinner or the first dance.

I really can't see any pros to the cake being cut BEFORE dinner service. It is better to get the speeches, all the formal stuff, dinner, done first before cutting the cake. But don't cut the cake too late. Some people will complain (like the elderly guests). At lot of the elderly people aren't interested in dancing at the end of the night. They will wait to leave after the cake is cut.

Personally, I think it's weird. And I like the idea that there is another 'event' to look forward to at the end.

the only exception would be if your photog is not staying the whole time; then I'd fake it, but I'd still cut it afterwards.

We're cutting it halfway through dinner bc even tho we have a dessert bar, the cake is the last course in the meal. The dessert bar is for snacking before and after. Also that's part of our favors, is take home goodies

We're saving the bouquet and garter toss for near the end. No, he's not fishing up my dress. Me and the bridesmaids have a plan for that but since he reads my posts sometimes, I'm not saying what it is lol.

Our schedule goes like this:

Photos

Ceremony

Cocktail hour

Dinner

Toasts

Cutting of the cake

First Dance etc etc etc

Me and my FH disagree a little of this. I want to do it earlier, but this is our timeline for now.

7:00 pm Grand Entrance

First Dance

Father/Daughter Dance

Mother/Son Dance

7:30 pm Start Serving of Food/ Champagne Toasts

8:15 pm Bride & Groom Out for Sunset Pictures

8:45 pm Cake Cutting

9:00 pm PARTY TIME

I am a bit old school- been doing weddings since '88. When I started, I saw more receiving lines and most brides used "Here Comes the Bride" to walk down the aisle to.

Things have changed, and generally for the better, but old-school wedding etiquette is that when the cake is cut, that is the first acceptable/polite moment that as a guest you can leave the reception. It used to be considered rude to leave prior to that.

Now most people don't even remember this but some, especially the older crowd still follow this idea. If you cut the cake early in the reception, you may have people leaving before other important events.

I think toast-cake-dance works the best, and right after dinner, as the guest's attention is refocused on the reception. The time it takes the caterer to cut the cake is minimized as much of it the guests are watching a special dance or two.

But there is no real right or wrong. Do what makes you happy. It is your day- make it what you envision! Congrats!