Wedding Cakes and Preparations

Homebakers Inc.
181-1 Juana Osmeña St.
P.O. Box 105
Cebu City Philippines
Tel. 253-6217 / 253-4265 / Fax. 253-5425

A tip from CEBU (for those getting married soon...)

The significance of the Wedding Cake in the union rite traces its roots far back in time.

Filipinizing the Marital Cake, the ever innovative Filipino combined the different customs and added a few trimmings of their own. Thus in the Philippines, we have the couple cut the cake and feed each other a piece. A taste of the first slice symbolizes their willingness to share a household.

A stroll down History’s Lane...

Among the many peoples throughout the world, the sharing of food by the bride and groom is a key part of the marriage ceremony.

In Ancient Greece, the eating of a cake of sesame seed meal mixed with honey was the final act of ritual. These cakes were also distributed among the guests.

To the Romans of times past, the wedding cake was seen as a symbol of fertility and good luck. They would break a small bun over the bride’s head at the end of the ceremony. Their guests would then eagerly scramble for the crumbs as these were thought of as good luck charms.

By the middle ages, the newly wed couple were required to kiss over a pile of cakes brought by their guests to the feast. And by the Elizabethan times, the centerpiece of the wedding feast were small sweet buns with currants made by the bride’s maids.

The Modern Wedding Cake

A new style in wedding cakes emerged in the 17th century when a visiting French baker frosted a stack of buns to make it stand upright. This was the first tiered frosted wedding cake.

For their part, the Chinese were the ones to originate the custom of serving each guest a slice of cake to spread good fortune.

Homebakers will assist you in such preparation. Wedding cakes will vary on size, flavor and style of your choice... multi-layered or simple and plain.

Here’s a guide for preparing for the celebration:

12 - 9 months before the wedding

• announce the engagement to your future in-laws
• choose the date & time of your wedding. discuss with each
• other the type of wedding you want and the budget.
• reserve the church (check out for some church bann)
• choose the principal sponsors & entourage
• decide on reception site & make reservations
• choose the style of your wedding gown & order it, as well as the attire & accessories for the groom & wedding attendants

9-6 months before:

• draw up a guest list. consult your respective parents
• shop around for your wedding souvenirs
• discuss your honeymoon plans
• book your photographer, videographers, florist, & musicians

6-3 months before

• check marriage license requirement at the city hall. Submit baptismal certificate to your church. The marriage license is valid in the Philippines for 120 days from the date it is issued. You should get your baptismal certificates not earlier than 3 months before the wedding.
• consult your travel agent for your honeymoon travel documents and reservations.
• order your invitations, missalets & thank you cards. Make sure to proof read them well.
• Finalize guest list with parents
• shop around for your wedding rings. Have them engraved
• order your wedding souvenirs and doves
• arrange for an interview with your priest
• order your wedding cake (possibly at Homebakers)

2 month before:

• schedule final fittings for you & your bridesmaids. Make sure that all accessories like the headpiece, veil and cord has been made.
• set an appointment with your make-up artist for the wedding day
• get name-change forms for social security, driver’s license, credit cards and bank accounts
• complete your honeymoon plans
• send out your invitations. It is advisable to mail them out 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

1 month before

• fit your wedding gown. If you are superstitious, fit only the lining of the dress
• have final dress fittings for your wedding attendants
• confirm all arrangements with your florist, musicians, caterer, photographer, video-grapher and the church
• make sure that you have completed all church requirements such as canonical interview, seminars, and the announcements of church banns -get an emcee for the reception.

2 weeks before:

• plan seating arrangements for the presidential table & other tables of honor. Prepare place cards.
• double check that the souvenirs, toasting goblets, garter, pillows, cord, candle & veil are all ready
• firm up transportation arrangements for wedding party and out-of-town guests
• pick-up wedding rings, gowns and suit

1 week before:

• give final head count of guest attending to the restaurant, hotel or caterer
• prepare a reception program to be given to the emcee
• decide who will be the person on the receiving line during the reception
• assign somebody to supervise the signing of the guest book
• assign persons to distribute wedding souvenirs
• pack your things for the honeymoon

1 day before:

• prepare pins, sewing kits, extra stockings or panty hose and other emergency items
• get a manicure and pedicure
• relax
• have a good night’s sleep!