Curious, How Many Get Asked To Decorate The Cake Table?
Decorating By mommak Updated 14 Sep 2007 , 2:00am by mommak
I'm doing my sons wedding cake this weekend and they had asked me if I would take care of the cake table also. I was just curious. Those of you who do wedding cakes regularly, do you normally get asked to take care of decorating the cake table?? If so, what do you seem to use most often on the table. I am sooo excited about doing this cake. I seem more nervous about setting the table!!!!! First wedding cake (they wanted a fountain)!
sorry i can't help but sure would like to know i have to do my sisters wedding soon so here's a BUMP
I guess it depends on what you mean to decorate the cake table. My customers have to have the table ready, linens, etc. on the table, as well as supply all the decorations-flower petals, candles, etc. but I actually put everything in its place. You can see examples of what I have done with the wedding cakes in my photos. HTH!
It's funny that you are asking this! I was thinking about suggesting a seperate catagory here on cc just for wedding table set ups!
I had to decorate the table this weekend! First I went to the reception site to get a feel for the room. Then I did a lot of photo research on line just looking at the table set ups.( I googled wedding table), Not even caring about the cake believe it or not!! lol !! Then went to Michaels and the dollar stores and got candle holders, candles, rose petals, tuille, and satin table fabric, garlands, etc. I put it all in a box and took it ALL to the site. I did this so I could be flexible with the setup. Now I have extra stuff for the next time.
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-Rezzy
I'm never asked to take care of the table, but I can tell you how they normally look. I am assuming that the caterer will be taking care of the linens. Sometimes they do the tablecloth and than an additional drape over that. Otherwise, tealights in small glass holders around the table, scattered silk rose petals, flower/light garland (I think Wilton makes it) around the edge of the table, you don't even have to hang it, you can just set right around the edge, scattered shells (if that matches), silk fall leaves, additional fabrics bunched around the cake, it looks nice if the cake is on a stand or you can use something sturdy, cover that in the fabric and then set the cake on top and bunch/gather the fabric around. I think that any of these ideas would look nice with your cake. I've seen them all done (different times of course 
) Good luck, I look forward to seeing the finished product.
try doing a search for wedding cake tables also i found some great stuff i did my search for images not web sites so i got to see the pics i hope you get some ideas and good luck please post pictures of the cake and table
I provide the table linens in my cake package....otherwise I expect the table to be covered when I arrive. I do not do table decor. How would I know what is going to match what they have? If they have some candlesabras or rose petals they want set out, I will do that .... if they are on the cake table when I arrive.
I tend to do the cake table decorating.. as the FLORIST. I have no idea how that'll work out in the switch to cake decorator.
If I'm renting the linens for the reception, I'll usually have a smaller runner to match for the cake table. Otherwise.. candles, ribbons, flowers.. sometimes wooden letters. Here's the last one I did:
I have only done big cakes such as weddings, 15th celebrations for family members and I have decorated the table. to tell you the truth, I feel more comfortable doing it since it all goes with the cake. If a table is not decorated with taste, would not highlight the cake.
I went to a wedding that the cake was beautiful but the table decoration was so busy that you could not really appreciate the beauty of the cake, of course I saw it because that's the first thing my eyes fix. I did my son's wedding cake and the table decoration it's on my pictures (3 tier cake with fondant swags).
Best of Luck
hi, i done 2 wedding cakes last month, and both i decorated the table. You should know what theme they are going for as they would almost certainly match with the cake. The forst one i did was a gold/cream and red, the other one was just cream and chocolate. I like to set up the table as it shows off my cake to the best possible display.
Given the opportunity, I will decorate the table. This is usually discussed at the final meeting with the bride to be. I will make sure that everything matches what she is decorating with. Usually just some extra ivy, petals, and flowers or candles. It makes me feel better knowing how the table is set, compliments the cake. 
Because I'm a floral designer... I typically offer to do the decorating of the table if I'm delivering the cake and about half take me up on the offer. I will ask what type of flowers, wedding theme picked out, and the colors of the wedding and go from there. For a small number of weddings I do the flowers and the cake ( these are usaully very small informal ones.... I'm not a masochist ), so I'll know this up front. If they are using another florist I will ask them to provide any extra flowers etc I'll need to make sure the decor matches the theme. I tend to use fresh flowers and/or greenery since that is my training, but a lot of brides just want simple with colored linens and votives. Below are links of some I've done in the past year.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=786173
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=807153
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=70059
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=69992
I've done most of the tables for the weddings I have done, but I've got pretty skirting made up to go around the tables and can make tablecloths to fit so the brides love it. When I delivered my last wedding cake, they had a plastic pink tablecloth and no skirting at all! I hate to leave a cake I've worked hours on, sitting on a table that looks like it's ready for a potluck dinner.
To me decorating the table is as important as decorating the cake, It's included in the price over 100 people.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=885763
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=569393
I WOULD SAY ABOUT HALF OF THE WEDDINGS I DO I FINISH OFF THE CAKE TABLE BY REQUEST OF THE BRIDE ....IT IS YOUR FINAL TOUCH TO YOUR CAKE.....
I AGREE WITH MANDYBS THERE IS NOTHING SO DISHEARTING THAN TO SEE YOUR WORK OF ART JUST SITTING ON A NAKED TABLE......
I always ask when we pick a cake what they are doing usually the florist does it or the family but I have arrived and found a bucket of flowers sitting there so I am always prepared now with shears.
my biggest problem is getting there and finding a ton of napkins all fanned out on the table.... so I usually have to find a way tp neatly consolodate the napkins so the cake is the focus not the napkin sculpture.
I am not shy rearranging things on the cake table.
too much stuff takes away from the cake....
I do carry silk ivy just in case but I really need to make it part of the package because it never comes back with the cake stuff.
my biggest problem is getting there and finding a ton of napkins all fanned out on the table.... I am not shy rearranging things on the cake table.
I'm with ya on that one! I actually tell my brides, when they ask "if it's ok" to do this or that..... I tell them, "You can do anything you want .... if it's in my way, I'll just move it anyway!" 
But yeah .... the fanned out napkins and the forks all lined up in rows. Those are the first things to go when I get there!
If I stay to cut the cake, I always blow any candles out when I start to cut the cake. I caught my hair on fire once, long long ago, so no open flame allowed when I am cutting.
Thank you for all your replies. They def helped. I love all the pics you posted. They all look to be simple but VERY ELEGANT!!. I have seen some (not on here) but on other sites where there was sooooo much on the tables it drew away from the cake, almost cluttered. Once again thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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