In the old days, smashing of the cake in the face was unheard of. The cake-cutting ceremony was to release the family, friends, and guests attending the reception to run to the dance floor to celebrate the newly married bride and groom with dancing and libations for the rest of the evening. It was not until ancient Rome decided to have cake sprinkled over their heads to signify male dominance and the promise of fertility. But as time went by the brides took control of this crazy new wedding tradition and put their own twist on it know as the cake smashes—a fun and messy moment where the newlyweds, or sometimes even the birthday boy or girl, dive into their cake in a playful and sometimes surprising way.
Are Cake Smashes Still a Thing?
What Is Cake Smashing?
After tasting the wedding cake themselves, the bride would throw the rest of the cake over their heads to kick off being a spoken-for woman, and then shovel the cake into the face of their husband to show all that shared the special day, that he was hers and hers only. Then the newlyweds would share their first kiss, symbolizing the start of their married life and wishing for a married life without the temptation of desire.
Some couples view this tradition fun and nice conclusion to the ceremony, others view it as too messy and misogynistic. You may experience the perfect cake smashing that wins America’s Funniest Home Videos, I sure have!
Bride and Groom Tip Jars: A Twist on Cake Smashing
Some new options that I have seen at prior weddings with the smashing of the cake at weddings, which is a slight new twist on the blown-out old traditions are quite interesting. Place two tip jars on the cake table, one labeled Bride and the other Groom. Then you ask the family, friends, and loved ones to then fill the jars with cash. The fullest tip jar at the end of the time allotted for this small fun game is the winner! That person then gets to smash the cake in their partner’s face for all guests to witness and enjoy together. Also, that gives a small incentive for the bride and groom to make a little extra money to enjoy, help pay for the wedding, or for the honeymoon expenses, or simply treat themselves. It’s quite entertaining to experience!
The Tradition of Cake Smashing
You will notice that present day, cake smashing is not often seen at most weddings, just a tradition that has been lost over the years, and possibly not thought of as much as it was in the past, simply because they just are not really a part of a wedding ceremony anymore. Many couples today may not even consider it, as it simply isn’t as widely practiced as it used to be.
Another cake smash tradition that has become very popular is the 1st birthday celebration. Where did it all begin? Some theories are adapted from the Mexican tradition called the mordida, which is when the first birthday boy or girl gets cake smashed in their face, all the friends and family celebrate by singing “Mordida, Mordida, Mordida!” which means ‘bite’ in English. It’s a lively and fun moment, often making for great memories and photographs. This tradition has grown in popularity over time and is now a beloved part of many for 1st birthdays.
The funny thing is, that every child reacts to this event differently. Some kids dive right in and demolishes the cake within seconds, and then you have the children that are extremely disturbed with the cake, icing especially. My opinion is they do not like the texture of the icing where most children have not tried icing or cake prior to their first birthdays. It’s a fun little addition to experience and have memories of for years to come.
The second rooted theory is bride and groom on their wedding day to mutually agree to share a household together as a commitment to their responsibilities to keep a strong respectful marriage promise to each other.
Alternatives to Traditional Cake Smashing
If you love the idea of a cake-smashing moment but don’t want to go the traditional route, here are some fun alternatives:
- Mini Smash Cakes – Instead of smashing the full wedding cake, have a separate, smaller cake specifically for the cake smash moment.
- Cupcake Smash – Want something less messy? Each partner can take a cupcake and “smash” it playfully into each other’s cheeks instead of a full-face attack.
- Cake Pops or Donuts – A more modern twist! Couples can take a bite out of a donut or cake pop at the same time for a fun, no-mess alternative.
- Smash for Charity – Turn the game into something meaningful! For every guest who donates to a charity of the couple’s choice, they get to vote on whether the couple should smash cake or not.
How to Capture the Perfect Cake Smash Photo
Since a cake smash happens in just seconds, getting the perfect shot requires planning. Here’s how to make sure your wedding cake moment is picture-perfect:
- Tell Your Photographer in Advance – If you’re planning a cake smash, make sure your photographer knows so they can position themselves for the best angles.
- Use a Fast Shutter Speed – For those capturing it on social media, use “burst mode” or a fast shutter speed to freeze the moment in crisp detail.
- Focus on Reactions – Whether it’s the shocked expression of the partner being covered in cake or the laughter from the guests, emotions make the best shots.
- Plan the Background – Make sure the cake table has good lighting and a clutter-free backdrop so the focus stays on the moment.
Whether it’s for an album or a viral Instagram reel, a well-timed cake smash photo can be a highlight of your happiest day!
Wedding and Event Planning in St. Louis
Andre’s Banquet and Catering is the one-stop shop for all of your event planning needs, we have locations all over the St. Louis area, which includes, Fenton, Sunset Hills, Eureka, Pevely, and South County. From 1st birthdays, celebrations, showers, holiday parties, and weddings and receptions, you can count on Andre’s Banquet and Catering to take care of all your needs to successfully execute any event under the sun.
We also offer catering options that range from just dropping off food to an off-site location to a full-service option to take care of your event from start to finish. Our team of experienced coordinators is ready to help you plan the perfect event. For more information, you can call the head office and talk with several coordinators for all locations and events at 314-894-2622.
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s Banquet & Catering, we are a full-service catering company. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s Banquet & Catering coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!
Contact us today for any questions or reservations.