How do you cut the cake

[Kai]

During my first wedding I noticed the bride and groom was always looking to me for direction. When it came time to cut the cake they once again looked to me. Are there any rules to cutting the cake? Does it matter who stands on what side?

One of the groomsman wore a uniform. After shooting all the formal pictures a friend came up to me and said that a man in uniform is never suppose to pin a flower to his chest. oop!

Any more rules I need to know that all you can share?

You are all awesome!

[tim]

The couple cut the cake when, where, and however they want to. If they ask for guidance i'll suggest they put the cake so there's no wall behind them (side shadow), hold the knife together, cake the cake, then look up at me for a second. Not many people ask.

[johnlo]

People can do whatever they want, however they like. about the man in uniform - hey, you didnt know, so dont blame yourself for it.. the friend should have told him.. and you would think the man in uniform might know.. unless he does and he didnt care.

[Tmosley]

I always try to get the brides ring facing me, i learned that once and it has just stuck, show the ring when they are both cutting the cake together, great shot.

[Kai]

Thanks for the advice. Good advice. I will worry less.

[Lin-z]

The tradition of cutting the wedding cake--- This is supposed to be the rule or crazy old wives tale... If the groom cuts the wedding cake without the help of the bride the bride will not be able to bare children, if the bride cuts the cake alone she is ok, but its supposed to be the two of them together. I can't remember if someone told me that or if i read it in some crazy bride book

Most of my bride and grooms have asked me for direction on the cake cutting. I have them just hold the knife to the cake and look at me and then actually cut it.

Another BIG thing I always have to do it pin the flowers on the groomsmen. I have become and expert at it.

[Diva]

When I got married (before I became a wedding photographer), I had no idea what to do when it was cake-cutting time. My husband and I looked blankly at the photographer and he showed us what to do.
A lot of brides & grooms will look seek direction as to how to cut the cake... because they want to do it in the most graceful way possible. Usually EVERYONE is trying to photograph them doing this, so they want to do it the "right" way. Usually there is no wedding coordinator around to direct them, so it somehow becomes the photographer's job.
Basically, if it is a tiered cake, they should slice the bottom tier. I've seen couples try to slice from the top... that looks quite awkward.
Also, I think it looks nice when the couple puts their "inside" arms around each other and use their "outside" arms/hands for holding the knife. So one person is holding the nice with their left hand, the other person with their right hand. This is probably the most "unified" look.
Sometimes the couple just does whatever they feel like, and in that case, leave them to it!