QUESTION: How should we display our cake at the reception?
ANSWER: Put your cake in a prominent place at the reception and add extra lighting. Elevate your cake on a riser if it's a ballroom wedding, or keep it in the shade with an elegant fabric-covered canopy for an outdoor ceremony.
For the lighting, consider a spotlight in an ambient hue or have several soft candle votives set up on the cake table to really highlight your confection. And choose a stand that complements your reception venue. Try a silver-plated stand with elaborate designs for an elegant wedding; get a bamboo-lined stand for a beach wedding; or an acrylic stand for a modern loft wedding.
What are some alternatives to a traditional cake topper?
Give your cake a personalized stamp of approval with a simple, silver monogram cake topper or adorn it with crystals for sparkle. Flowers are another great option.
You could also go for a sugar-made topper and have your cake baker create sugar flowers, fondant ribbons or bows to top off your confection.
If you still can't decide what to use, feel free to leave your cake topper-free for a clean look.
Carley Roney, co-founder and editor in chief of The Knot, advises millions of brides on modern wedding etiquette at theknot.com.
