One of my favorite channels is HGTV.  I love Property Virgins, House Hunters and yes Design Star!  If you watched last night you can figure out why I especially loved this episode.  It was about the team designing a wedding reception.  If you watched it hopefully you got some really good tips.  What I found interesting was the cake.  To be accurate the cake in the middle of the dance floor.  We have photographed numberous weddings and have also attended them as guests.  Never have I seen a wedding cake in the middle of the dance floor.  

 I find it interesting that there isn't a lot said about where your wedding cake should be placed.  As wedding photographers and videographers we have a unique perpective and we always want to share this with you to make your wedding all that it can be.  Think of us as your behind the scenes pass to weddings! 

When a bride and groom enter the room for the first time where do they head off to?  The dance floor!  It is there that they are announced as well as their bridal party.  Then comes their first dance.  Obviously this would not be the place for the wedding cake. 

This is a great time to talk about where your wedding cake should be.  In the first photograph to the left this cake was in front of a gorgeous mirror with plenty of room for the bride and groom to cut the wedding cake and have us photograph them.  Actually when you walked into the room the cake was placed so that it was the focal point.  This wedding was at Mattison's Fort-One in Sarasota, FL

The wedding cake above although beautiful was in such a tight corner that the bride and groom were cramped when they had the cake cutting.  So think about that when you go to a venue.  Ask them where your wedding cake will be and think about how well your guests will be able to see the two of you cutting the wedding cake.  Remember this is a fun part for your guests to view.  This wedding took place at the Yacht Club in Osprey, FL

Showcasing your wedding cake is always a great idea.  People love to look at the cake and see your choices.  If you notice in this photo there is room for the bride and groom to get around the table and and for guests to see them as they cut the wedding cake.  This wedding was at the Hilton Longboat Key.

As wedding photographers and wedding videographers I think it's really important to bring this topic up.  Let's face it if you are doing your own wedding planning you need all the tips you can get.  If you are having it at a venue where they do all the set up don't be afraid to ask questions.  Ask them where the cake will be.  Will the caker be accessible to you and your guests or stuck in some tight corner.   What time will the cake will be set up.

Here's some interesting tips:
Tip # 1 Your cake should be the focal point.
Tip # 2  The base of the cake determines the size of the table.
Tip # 3  Make sure the table is sturdy.  This tip is a great one.  Especialy since we have seen some children try to pull themselves up to get a better view of the wedding cake.  Or to try and taste the icing on the cake!

As for styles of wedding cakes we will dicuss that at a later time. 

Until next time have fun planning the wedding of your dreams and be sure to check back for some more behind the scenes tips and information!

Toni Nelson - Nelson Photographers