The Groom’s Cake Tradition: All You Wanted to Know & More

Curious about the groom’s cake tradition? Let’s find out what is a groom’s cake, why, how and when it’s served. and who pays for it?

Many weddings don’t even have a groom’s cake, but this age-old tradition is actually quite special. Let’s cover all you will want to know about this fun and sweet confection and get inspired by a boatload of original ideas!

So, What is a Groom’s Cake?

The groom’s cake is wedding tradition that originated (yes, you guessed it) in Victorian England! Just like the traditional wedding cake, it started out as a fruit cake. Later on, this trend arrived to the United States where it became more of a Southern wedding tradition.

It’s showcased right next to the wedding cake and is usually cut later and placed into take-home boxes for the guests to enjoy later on. Originally, the groom was supposed to decorate his own cake but now it just reflects his interests and personality, as well as his favorite cake flavor.

Traditionally, a liquor-infused fruit cake was quite popular for a groom’s cake. Let’s keep the tradition alive!

Who Pays for this Cake?

It is customary for the groom’s parents to cover this wedding expense. Some grooms pay for it themselves. And sometimes, it’s the bride the one that decides to surprise his hubby-to-be with a confection she knows he will love.

When is the Groom’s Cake Served?

This cake was intended to be shared with the groomsmen – just like the bride’s cake is for the bridesmaids. Nowadays is either served at the rehearsal dinner or after the wedding cake.

Another interesting age-old tradition is that the groom’s cake was never served. It was boxed and given to your single female guests to take home. Supposedly, if they slept with it under their pillow, they would dream about their future husband. Crazy, right! I doubt anybody is doing this now, but hey, whatever works… 😉

Celebrate the biker in him.

For the outdoorsy groom, one of the most creative cakes i have ever seen.

So, basically, you can cut it whenever you want.

Have the caterer slice up and serve to your guests at the rehearsal dinner or after the wedding cake. Or you can keep tradition and send your guests home with a boxed up slice!

How Many People Does a Groom’s Cake Serve?

It all depends on its intended use. If it’s meant to be shared with the groomsmen or served at the rehearsal, a slice per person will be enough. If you plan on having it after the wedding cake, think half a slice per guest. People will be pretty full by then.

Scrumptious and original groom’s cake by Dustin Meyer Photography.

There’s no obligation to have a groom’s cake at a wedding. He can choose a few confections for the reception’s dessert table. Like these raspberry chocolate mini cakes. Photo: Gerald Goh.

Gotham City, Dr. Who and all of his fav characters into one original groom’s cake by Chrissie Boon.

More on the Groom’s Cake Tradition

“A wedding without cake would be a wedding without protocol, a rite without confirmation.” William Woys Weaver, University of Pennsylvania.

Traditionally, a liquor-infused fruit cake was quite popular for a groom’s cake, but now it’s usually whatever flavor the groom loves. Think anything from decadent chocolate to a stack of strawberry crepes (yum!) and everything in between.

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Photo Credits: honestlyyum, cakecentral, rocknrollbride, marthastewartweddings, thelittleepicurean, sprinkle bakes, thedessertchronicles.