How to Photograph the Cutting of the Wedding Cake

I shoot photos for weddings in a small venue. The chapel I shoot in is small and I end up "herding" the wedding party back and forth into the house and then the chapel. In the process of getting everyone gathered to observe the cutting of the cake I have found that each and every time I do this I need to formally state the "wedding cake rules".

I know, this sounds like a bit much but let me tell you why I have adopted this approach to the cake cutting. A few years back I did a wedding for a young couple just out of High School. This wedding was larger than most weddings I do and about 200 people were in attendance.

When it came time to cut the cake I asked the couple if they were going to "cake" each other. Both the Bride and the groom stated quite clearly that there would be no "caking". As I proceeded to shoot the cutting of the cake, in the middle of doing so the bride's BFF and Bridesmaid said "Hell NO", grabbed two fistfuls of cake and shoved them in the face of the Bride and Groom.

What followed was a very pregnant pause while everyone waited for what would come next. The bride finally was able to clean out the cake that had been firmly shoved up her nose and she announced that is was time for a cigarette. Both sets of parents were unhappy to say the least and the BFF was in hiding for fear of getting knocked on her butt. Needless to say, we were all relieved that we were able to avoid bloodshed.

So now, every time I shoot the cake event I ask very publicly what the rules will be for the couple getting caked. Half the time couples say a firm no to the whole idea of getting caked. Without many exceptions, couples break their own rules and cake each other. It is just a real good idea for the couple to be the only ones doing the caking.

On a more serious note, I want to discuss advice on how to photograph the cake and how to take the pictures of the actual cutting of the cake. At every wedding one of my standard set of shots is the wedding cake and the cutting thereof. I shoot the cake prior to the wedding so there is a good picture for the wedding album.

In order to do this try not so shoot in front of a window. Most cameras will meter on the light outside the window, leaving the cake in a deep shadow. You could use a "backlight" function on your digital but you will still get the flash in the window behind the cake. If you can, pull the curtains behind the cake and then shoot the picture.

When shooting the couple cutting the cake, do it in profile. Have the groom position himself behind the bride both facing the cake. Now have the bride pick up the cutting knife and have the groom reach around the bride and place his hand over the bride's hand, as they make the first cut of the cake. You might have to ask them to hold for a moment to get the shots. Get a wide shot and a close-up of the cutting of the cake.

I have some additional advice regarding the cake. Many weddings have a theme involving a color. I have had to shoot many a wedding cake that was pure white. While this may be the appropriate color for the occasion you need to have a color somewhere on the cake to make a color spot for photos and to make it attractive for those viewing the cake. Try not to make silver the color, because while you can use silver in addition to the other theme color, silver is so close to white that is doesn't give the pop in the picture that a little color will.

My last comment on the cake is that I have tasted all sorts of cakes and fillings. I have had strawberry, raspberry, lemon, filled cakes and they are all delicious. I have to say my very favorite wedding cake was a wedding cheesecake. That was one wedding cake that I will remember.