Should we have cake cutting service?

$300 seems like a lot to cut cake! I catered weddings when I first graduated high school and I think the most we charged for cake cutting was $150. There were plenty of weddings where someone in the family decided to cute the cake for the guest.

My FH and I decided on cupcakes for our reception and then just a small 2 tier cake for ourselves to cut for the cake cutting.

I would have them cut the cake for you. Cutting a wedding cake is actually pretty difficult and requires a good amount of space. Removing things like dowels and sometimes a piece of cardboard between the layers can actually get a little messy too.

Thanks for your input Melissa I have to agree with you! I just wonder how hard it will be for us if we are cutting and passing out our own cake.

My cousin had a similar price for cake cutting, and asked me and my mom if we would do it for her. We agreed, but I really didn't want to. Luckily, she changed her mind and had the caterer cut it. If you know someone that would be willing to do this (maybe someone who doesn't like to be on the dance floor or who likes to have a task), then it's a good option. You just have to make sure the person cutting it is cutting the right amount of slices for each tier.

There is a science to cake cutting to ensure you get enough slices for your guest, but if you have a family member who wants to do it then there are plenty of youtube videos out there. Cake cutting was the first thing they taught me when I started as a caterer. I would ask them what the options are if you plan to do it yourself as far as space or where you will be allowed to cut it.

HOLY! 300?!?!

Ours is included in our catering costs. 300 seems so high?

I thought the same thing. Some people buy a cake for $300.

Yea, that does sound like a lot, but if you don't hire them to do it, who else would? I can't see you standing there in a wedding dress cutting and passing out cake, that's honestly a ridiculous notion to me. Plus, as one PP mentioned, a professional will know how to cut it to make sure the slices are even and that there's enough for everyone, because you have no idea how big or small the pieces should be. And if you're getting any sort of tiered cake, how are you going to separate the tiers without destroying the cake and/or getting it on your dress? You're going to stand in the middle of your reception room and do that? I think you just need to bite the bullet and pay the fee, because it sounds like a nightmare to do this yourself.

$300 seems crazy to me. Our cake cutting is included in the price of our venue/catering. I asked prior to booking so we wouldn't be surprised by an unexpected cost like this.

I think you have two options:

1. Serve cupcakes and let guests help themselves

2. Pay for the venue to cut the cake and if necessary cut back on decor or in other areas to recoup the money.

I wouldn't advise cutting it yourself. Like pps mentioned I imagine it will be messy and difficult to ensure you cut enough pieces.

We just had daughter's shower yesterday. The cake was a 10" layer-cake (about 6-7" high) -- exactly like what one layer of her wedding cake will be. I took on cutting the cake (shower was in a restaurant, and I wasn't super confident they would know how to cut it into the appropriate number & size of slices -- cutting a 6" in circle in the center, then cutting small wedges from the outer-ring of cake...). I did it, but IT WAS HARD and MESSY. The slices turned out fine, and the individual plates looked great, but I missed watching daughter open presents (there were a lot of them, and it took a good long while, but it took me nearly as long to cut the cake). This is NOT something I would encourage you or any family or friend to do. If paying your caterer/venue to cut the cake is too expensive, I'd do cupcakes. (But, even those will need to be put out and arranged, so plan/budget for that as well.) Good luck!

Just wanted to chime in and say our cake cutting fee would be $300 as well if we got our caterers to do it, so I don't think it's too crazy depending on your area! For us, the $300 includes 2 people to cut the cake, plates, napkins, boxing up leftovers, and bussing the tables when it's finished. If you do decide to get your caterers to do it, make sure that it includes everything needed!

I have had the "awesome" job of cutting a wedding cake. it is very messy and you really need to know exactly how to cut it to get the number of slices you need for the number of guests you have. You do not want to do this yourself.