Weddings are full of traditions, and “cutting the cake” is certainly one that continues to be time-honored. However, when working through your wedding budget worksheet (and timeline of the reception), you may look for new, creative ways to satisfy the sweet tooth of you and your guests and maybe even “cutting” cost.

1. Do you and your fiancé even like cake?

I’ve heard this one SO many times- “we just aren’t really cake people”. Well, guess what? Chances are, more than 50% of your guests are on the fence about it, too. And wedding cakes aren’t cheap- you will quickly see that average cake prices range from $3/slice to more than $50/slice. There are a TON of other ways to satisfy a post-dinner sweet tooth that are much more reasonable, and probably much tastier.

2. Do you want a “cake cutting” ceremony?

The ceremony of cutting the cake is starting to become more and more antiquated. So, where did this tradition even come from? Almost 2000 years ago, early Roman “grooms” would eat a loaf of barley bread and then break the rest over the head of their bride, which signifies prosperity of fertility for the couple. Over time, this tradition developed and people eventually realized that sugary dough tasted better than barley. Voila! You have the inspiration behind the modern cake cutting ceremony that we are all so familiar with. I don’t know about you, but I can think of a few other ways to show my love for my fiancé than honoring a 2000 year-old tradition. Plus- there is always a chance for a rogue, cake-frosting-smeared-across-the-face experience, and your make-up took way too long to take that gamble.

3. Have a favorite, unique dessert? Share it with your wedding guests!

We all love a sweet bite after our meal, so if you are omitting cake, show your personality with dessert! Do you love ice cream cookie sandwiches? How about an obsession with mini bundt cakes? Or maybe you are a Thanksgiving junkie and pumpkin pie is your thing. If you and your fiancé have a unique sweet tooth, how fun would it be to get creative and really show your personalities through your dessert? If you are lucky and have an awesome baker or two in the family, see if they would help out by whipping up some fresh baked goods for the occasion. EVERYONE loves a homemade chocolate chip cookie.

4. How much time do you have during your reception?

If you are working with a tight timeline, consider how the time dedicated to cake cutting might interfere with your day. Additionally, it can really alter the mood and flow of the reception to interrupt the DJ blasting out the dance hits to announce the “cutting of the cake”.

5. Have you decided on a wedding favor yet?

Another perk of foregoing the cake for a more unique sweet is subbing the traditional wedding favor for your dessert! One of my favorite weddings to date had homemade doughnuts sitting in a customized box at the top of each place setting during dinner. Not only are doughnuts DELICIOUS, but I had the ability to eat my dessert whenever I wanted (sorry Mom, sometimes you just need a sweet bite before dinner). I could also bring back a little “something” from the reception to my hotel room for a much-needed midnight snack. I’m hard-pressed to remember my wedding favor at the end of reception, but remembering a box of doughnuts? Yeah, I got that.

As always, the goal of creating a wedding budget document is to keep an organized eye on all potential expenses, and something as seemingly as small as a cake can cause unnecessary stress. If you are open to something less traditional, have some fun with your guests and your sweet selections.

One of the best parts of getting married is celebrating your love with your closest family and friends. However, it can be a little stressful when deciding which of those special people will be part of your bridal party. Here are 5 questions to keep in mind before asking your BFFs to “stand by your side” on your special day.

What is this person’s influence on your temperament?

For the months leading up to your wedding, you will inevitably encounter stressful moments. For this reason, it is SO important to be sure that you are surrounded by people who can keep you calm and focused on what is really important. Your bridesmaids shouldn’t just be your favorite drinking partners (totally awesome if they are though!), they should also be a rationale sounding-board, and available to help problem-solve.

Are you asking them because they asked you?

If you are like most brides-to-be, by the time you are planning your own nuptials, you’ve likely been a part of several weddings. And just because you were a bridesmaid in your sorority sister’s wedding 9 years prior doesn’t mean you need to repay the favor. People and circumstances change, and you may need to consider siblings over friends, for example. Don’t forget- it’s awesome to simply be a guest at a wedding. You are buying them dinner and drinks, after all!

Is this person a “forever friend”?

No one can predict the future, and unfortunately sometimes people do fall out of friendship. But you will cherish your wedding memories, pictures, and videos for your lifetime. Therefore, it’s also important to see a long-term future with those people you chose to be standing next to on your special day. If you are having reservations about including a particular person in your bridal party, consider listening to your gut.

Can they afford it?

This is a tough topic, but worth thinking about right away. By the time our late-20’s and early-30’s rolls around, we’ve likely been a bridesmaid a time or two ourselves. And let’s be honest- it ain’t cheap! From the dress the bride promises “you will wear again”, to the hair and makeup appointments, the wedding costs can reach well into the $500-$800 range- and that’s just the “day of” cost. This doesn’t include shower gifts, the bachelorette party, and the cost of travel for your special ladies. Let’s face it- agreeing to be a bridesmaid is more than just an emotional commitment, it’s also a financial one. Be honest with yourself and be a conscientious friend- if one of your ladies is struggling financially, maybe they can be included in another way in your ceremony, or they can simply be a guest and have a kick-ass time without going into debt.

Do they have time for it?

Just like the previous point, being part of a wedding can be a serious commitment with your time as well. The people you select to be part of your bridal party are obviously important to you, and you want them to understand the importance of their role throughout the process. Therefore, have an honest conversation with them about which events you are hoping they will attend and participate in. If that person is super noncommittal about most things, that may be a sign that they are better off as a guest.

At the end of the day, follow your heart and your intuition, and you can’t go wrong. Oh- and also be sure to buy matching “get ready” outfits and plenty of champagne to drink out of those pretty, long-stemmed flutes. You will be guaranteed to have the CUTEST pics.

Xoxo,
Morgan