Individual cakes for each table

I've seen it done on TV maybe? Where ever it was, it wasn't in person. My only thoughts would be 1) the awkwardness of people serving each other 2) once the cake is done you're left with a bunch of crumbly plates as centerpieces.

I have never seen this, but I think it would be cute. If you have any little kids at the reception they might have a hard time staying away from a cake sitting on their table, but that would be my only concern.

There won't be any kids- but great catch.

@Jeanne- I was thinking of having those cleared with the rest of the dinner plates when dinner is over. I'm not so worried with having blank tables after dinner but that's a good thing to consider!

I think it's a cute idea but I'd prefer to have the staff cut and serve the cake. While it would be more expensive for the cakes, you'd save money on centerpieces. So I would probably get a few quotes on the cakes (vs one big cake), and do a cost analysis. Eta, id definitely have staff clear the remains after dessert.

I agree with Chrissy's comment. Overall, I like the idea.

I have seen this a couple of times. It has been a HUGE hit every time!

IMO, having cakes as centerpieces it the perfect way to spend your money wisely : the centerpiece will get eaten and not thrown away, the guests are involved with each other and sharing/passing around food, and it's their dessert!

At one wedding, the B/G asked that the longest married couple at each table be the ones to cut their cake as the B/G cut theirs. It was so sweet.

There was a bride here that did that. Can't remember who. It turned out really well. Who cares what the tables look like after dinner? It's it party time?!

I wanted to do this for my wedding but the cost was quoted at $12 - $20 per mini cake! So I had to let that envision go.

But if you're using it has both the centrepieces and the cake for the guests then you're saving since centrepieces can be costly depending on your plans.

I coordinated a wedding where mini cakes were a part of the centerpieces and it was beautiful. The bride provided stands for each cake and the florist added in some flowers. Instead of the guests cutting the cake, the caterers came around and took the cakes (and stands) in the kitchen to cut while everyone was on the dance floor. Because there were other parts to the centerpieces, the tables didn't look bare once the cakes were removed. Honestly, by the cake cutting part of receptions, the tables are generally a mess anyway.

I think that either having the guests cut the cake themselves or having the caterer do so is a nice idea. If you plan to have the guests do so, just make sure there is some sort of announcement or signage indicating that they should do so... and when.

Thanks everyone!

@ReneeCool- thanks for the pictures- it helps me see it a bit better!

@Kathleen S.- thanks for the suggestion of having the longest married couple cut the cake- that's super cute and will get people talking too

I'm with VM- I don't care what the table looks like after dinner!

You're welcome!

Love this idea! I'll be impressed when I walk into your reception....errr..umm... I mean I WOULD be impressed if I were to walk into your reception.

My only thought - inner fat kid talking - is that usually at a wedding you get a pretty thin slice compared to what you might serve yourself at home. So make sure there is more than enough cake at each table if you are letting people serve themselves.

That sounds cute and delicious! I would be thrilled to have my own cake. Umm...for the table of course. Haha.

I've only been to one wedding that did this, and it worked well! But if people are finishing their dinner at slightly different times, will tables just go ahead and cut into their cake? If you wanted to have some kind of formal cake cutting, you might lose that element if your guests just dig in whenever they feel like it.

Super cute idea!

Another bride on here did this. It worked out really well for her. She cut the 1st piece at each table as you walk to each table to greet and thank her guest.

I freaking love this idea!

Any advice/suggestions how you would handle different flavors of cake?

Interesting idea. My worry was about kids sticking their hands in it too. Also, I wonder if you could have a server go around and cut and serve everyone at the table. Might be a little less awkward than someone at the table doing it. It could be a totally different kind of idea and no wasted money on centerpieces because they will be eaten!

I went to one that had cupcakes instead of a cake, so it made it easy for everyone to grab their(s) - yeah I ate more than one, lol. Sometimes I've seen cakes whose slices are already cut and separated by parchment paper, maybe they could make yours that way, so that nobody needs to cut it on the spot?