No Cake?

Jeremy Winterberg · July 5, 2010

So, at the last wedding I shot a week ago they didn't have a cake... They had cupcakes. And, I asked them if they were going to do a cutting of the "cake" even though there wasn't one. And they said no. Their reasoning behind this came from the groom, "If we did that I would be too tempted to shove it all over her face. And then I will be in major trouble tonight!". THATS THE POINT OF IT!! You're supposed to embarrass your spouse lol!

Anyone think this is strange? I'm kinda new to weddings but I've always seen there be a cutting of the cake. Its like the kiss, its a staple shot. you have to have it.

urbanaries · July 5, 2010

Jeremy Winterberg wrote: »

So, at the last wedding I shot a week ago they didn't have a cake... They had cupcakes. And, I asked them if they were going to do a cutting of the "cake" even though there wasn't one. And they said no. Their reasoning behind this came from the groom, "If we did that I would be too tempted to shove it all over her face. And then I will be in major trouble tonight!". THATS THE POINT OF IT!! You're supposed to embarrass your spouse lol!

Anyone think this is strange? I'm kinda new to weddings but I've always seen there be a cutting of the cake. Its like the kiss, its a staple shot. you have to have it.

I've had weddings with no cake. Most recently a NYE wedding. They introduced several of their own fun traditions, and that's what it's all about these days, making a wedding your own and not conforming just to say you conformed. I am there to capture their day, not my idea of what should happen!

david_h · July 5, 2010

Hey Jeremy, we've been confronted with cupcakes a few times of late. I don't know if it's a budgeting thing or what, but I'm not a fan.

We usually get some fun shots at cake cutting time and always enjoy getting some artistic cake shots. "Help yourselves to cupcakes" just isn't the same!

Here's a recent cupcake example - at least they had a proper stand:

Jeremy Winterberg · July 5, 2010

david_h wrote: »

Hey Jeremy, we've been confronted with cupcakes a few times of late. I don't know if it's a budgeting thing or what, but I'm not a fan.

We usually get some fun shots at cake cutting time and always enjoy getting some artistic cake shots. "Help yourselves to cupcakes" just isn't the same!

Here's a recent cupcake example - at least they had a proper stand:]

Thats what theirs looked like. I agree, its not fun, and it sucks for my portfolio. It was my second wedding, so I need a lot of portfolio help! lol

Jeremy Winterberg · July 5, 2010

urbanaries wrote: »

I've had weddings with no cake. Most recently a NYE wedding. They introduced several of their own fun traditions, and that's what it's all about these days, making a wedding your own and not conforming just to say you conformed. I am there to capture their day, not my idea of what should happen!

Lynne, I agree that its good to be different and that as the photographer we should just shoot what they want not what we want. But no cake? Thats just weird! There are some traditions in weddings that I feel should never be lost or forgotten. Smashing a cake in someone else's face is one of those

david_h · July 5, 2010

Jeremy Winterberg wrote: »

Smashing a cake in someone else's face is one of those

And don't forget the bride pretending to stab the groom in the back with the big knife! I'm all lost without that one!

tenoverthenose · July 5, 2010

I've done lots and lots of weddings without cakes. Who says you need a cake to have a wedding? Personally I find it more interesting when a couple does away with "tradition" and does something cool on their own!

heatherfeather · July 5, 2010

tenoverthenose wrote: »

I've done lots and lots of weddings without cakes. Who says you need a cake to have a wedding? Personally I find it more interesting when a couple does away with "tradition" and does something cool on their own!

My thoughts exactly. Actually in Alaska right now with church weddings... foot washing is the popular thing to do.

Moogle Pepper · July 5, 2010

I love cupcake wedding cakes! Easier to snag. :hide

mmmatt · July 5, 2010

tenoverthenose wrote: »

I've done lots and lots of weddings without cakes. Who says you need a cake to have a wedding? Personally I find it more interesting when a couple does away with "tradition" and does something cool on their own!

Just did one a couple weeks ago with cupcakes. All good by me! Now if they could only get rid of the YMCA and the Chicken Dance I would be in heaven! Jeremy, don't worry about your portfolio not having a cake shot... it won't kill you. Mostly you want shots that are romantic and candids that show emotion. Most people don't choose a photographer because they have a great cake cutting shot.

Matt

Moogle Pepper · July 5, 2010

unless the wedding cake explodes...

ssimmonsphoto · July 6, 2010

tenoverthenose wrote: »

I've done lots and lots of weddings without cakes. Who says you need a cake to have a wedding? Personally I find it more interesting when a couple does away with "tradition" and does something cool on their own!

This is exactly my feeling. I've had couples do cupcakes, cheesecakes, pies, etc. They are all fun to me. And, given how common it seems to be to NOT have a cake, those shots are also nice to include since some of my potential clients are likely thinking of avoiding the cake, too.

Sam · July 6, 2010

Holy organically processed hay from a male cow!!!

I just went online and priced out wedding cakes!!!!!!!!!!

Some of these cakes cost more than a photographer. Another thing of note was how many cake websites didn't even have a price list! You have to make an appointment for a consultation, and for all I know financial verification.

Sam

Moogle Pepper · July 6, 2010

Sam wrote: »

Holy organically processed hay from a male cow!!!

I just went online and priced out wedding cakes!!!!!!!!!!

Some of these cakes cost more than a photographer. Another thing of note was how many cake websites didn't even have a price list! You have to make an appointment for a consultation, and for all I know financial verification.

Sam

Yeah I was spooked looking at it too! My friend makes wedding cakes for her business and she says wow to photographer prices as I say wow to wedding cake prices!

Kinkajou · July 6, 2010

The first wedding I shot had homemade blueberry pies, from organic blueberries that they had hand-picked locally. I thought that was pretty cool. And MUUUUUCH cheaper than a cake!

Swartzy · July 6, 2010

Welcome to the world of wedding photography Jeremy. Although you want stuff for your port, the client is most important....so, no cake, cupcakes, raspberry tea, or purple smoothies....shoot creatively and it won't matter.

Wil Davis · July 6, 2010

Jeremy Winterberg wrote: »

Lynne, I agree that its good to be different and that as the photographer we should just shoot what they want not what we want. But no cake? Thats just weird! There are some traditions in weddings that I feel should never be lost or forgotten. Smashing a cake in someone else's face is one of those

Well, if you want to keep traditions, what about Droit de Seigneur?

…c'mon, let's count the hands, who's for that one?

- Wil

PS: Home-made Blueberry Pies! Brilliant idea! Yummmmmmm!

Jeremy Winterberg · July 6, 2010

Its not that I think it has to be a cake, its that they didn't do the feeding of the "cake". I could care less about what food their shoving as long as its getting plastered everywhere! Thats what I meant by the cake tradition... the feeding.

mmmatt · July 6, 2010

Wil Davis wrote: »

Well, if you want to keep traditions, what about Droit de Seigneur?

…c'mon, let's count the hands, who's for that one?

- Wil

That has nothing to do with weddings wil... Are you looking to be the first guy to take the virginity from all the young virgins in your village? Where does this stuff come from? You really are an odd dude...

Matt

Wil Davis · July 6, 2010

mmmatt wrote: »

That has nothing to do with weddings… Where does this stuff come from? You really are an odd dude...

Matt

Ah, but it does, you see…

…try doing some research!

- Wil

ssimmonsphoto · July 6, 2010

Jeremy Winterberg wrote: »

Its not that I think it has to be a cake, its that they didn't do the feeding of the "cake". I could care less about what food their shoving as long as its getting plastered everywhere! Thats what I meant by the cake tradition... the feeding.

But not everyone "gets" the meaning any more. And not everyone who even has a cake does a cutting. And those that do the cutting certainly don't smash the cake. I think about 50% of those that have had a cake smashed it. Most are very civilized about it. And, of those 50%, I don't often chose any of those photos as ones to put in my portfolio. The bride or groom often have their mouth gapping open or are in some other less than flattering position. Not having those photos in my portfolio hasn't kept me from staying busy and booking as much as I want to.

I dare say that Swartzy said it best:

Swartzy wrote: »

Welcome to the world of wedding photography Jeremy. Although you want stuff for your port, the client is most important....so, no cake, cupcakes, raspberry tea, or purple smoothies....shoot creatively and it won't matter.

mmmatt · July 6, 2010

Wil Davis wrote: »

Ah, but it does, you see…

…try doing some research!

- Wil

**retracted**
Matt

I guess the relevance comes from the movie Braveheart. Wasn't ever an actual tradition or law. It is a gross and offensive reference.

JayClark79 · July 7, 2010

Ya wedding cakes are crazy expensive...but iv also heard cupcakes can get nuts... we have a couple gourmet cup cake businesses in the area and they want $4-$5 per cup cake... and these are just over the counter cupcakes not special "wedding cup cakes" lol....

Speaking of originality, im attending a wedding 11/11/11 and instead of a champagne toast they are doing yauger bombs (<-- spelling) lol

mmmatt · July 7, 2010

JayClark79 wrote: »

Ya wedding cakes are crazy expensive...but iv also heard cupcakes can get nuts... we have a couple gourmet cup cake businesses in the area and they want $4-$5 per cup cake... and these are just over the counter cupcakes not special "wedding cup cakes" lol....

Speaking of originality, im attending a wedding 11/11/11 and instead of a champagne toast they are doing yauger bombs (<-- spelling) lol

Typically abbreviated Jaeger... THAT my friend is going to be a fun wedding!!!

Matt

Swartzy · July 7, 2010

Did someone say Jaegermeister? Oooooooh Baby....I'm so there

BradfordBenn · July 7, 2010

Should I assume we have all seen "My New Haircut" on YouTube? (NSFW coarse language)

JayClark79 · July 7, 2010

mmmatt wrote: »

Typically abbreviated Jaeger... THAT my friend is going to be a fun wedding!!!

Matt

I know it really is, so far im invited to the wedding as a guest.... but the main local photographer im trying to 2nd shoot with has been hired for this wedding... If he asks me to work with him i definently will... either way im thrilled just to be there.....

PS.. if i dont assist the photographer I WONT be "uncle tomming"

Jeremy Winterberg · July 11, 2010

BradfordBenn wrote: »

Should I assume we have all seen "My New Haircut" on YouTube? (NSFW coarse language)

, that was hilarious! thanks for sharing that.

sweet caroline · July 12, 2010

Why is cake smashing even a thing people do? It's too new to be tradition, and too old to be cool anymore. Feeding your new spouse is rooted in cultural ritual, and it's sensuous. Plastering your love's face with food is NOT sexy.

mmmatt · July 12, 2010

sweet caroline wrote: »

Why is cake smashing even a thing people do? It's too new to be tradition, and too old to be cool anymore. Feeding your new spouse is rooted in cultural ritual, and it's sensuous. Plastering your love's face with food is NOT sexy.

Agreed... I think it is more of a lower end wedding thing. My classier and more elegant weddings never do that.

Matt

Moogle Pepper · July 12, 2010

sweet caroline wrote: »

Why is cake smashing even a thing people do? It's too new to be tradition, and too old to be cool anymore. Feeding your new spouse is rooted in cultural ritual, and it's sensuous. Plastering your love's face with food is NOT sexy.

Agree. When the MoB told me they aren't going to do any face smashing of the cake I was ecstatic.

No Cake?

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