Unlike the bridal shower, the bridesmaid tea or luncheon is a chance for the bride to dote a little on her attendants.  This should never be considered an optional event.  It is an opportunity for the bride to express her appreciation for all that her attendants have been doing for her during the past few months. 

Typically the bridesmaid luncheon should be held the weekend before the wedding.  This is especially essential if any of your attendants work during the week and would find it difficult to attend a weekday party.  The tea or luncheon is a private party, hosted by the bride for the her maid of honor and bridesmaids.  Be sure to include any attendants that may be from out of town, even if it means that you need to hold the tea on the day before the wedding.

The cost of the bridesmaid tea is handled by the bride herself.  A gift for each bridesmaid should also be given as a token of appreciation for all that the bridesmaids have done for her.  Use this time to let your attendants know just how much they mean to you.

If a caterer is taking care of your reception, they will normally provide someone to cut and serve the cake.  However, if your budget demands that a friend or family member stand in for cake-cutting duty, these simple steps will help.

Since most wedding cakes are tiered, start cutting with the bottom layer.  If each tier is two layers high, cut the top layer of the bottom tier first.  Slice vertically through the cake layer up to the second tier.  Then cut into wedge-shaped slices all the way around.  If your bottom tier is two layers high, do the same with the bottom layer of the bottom tier.  Then move onto the next tier, cutting the pieces in the same wedge-shape. 

Square cakes can be cut into square or rectangular-shaped pieces, following the guidelines of cutting through one tier at a time until it is even with the next tier.  Heart-shaped cakes can be cut into halves or quarters, and then sliced in rectangular-shaped pieces.  If your heart-shaped cake is more then one layer, you will need to begin with the top layer.

Don’t forget to remove and save the very top tier of the cake for the couples’ first anniversary celebration.

I heard about this tradition too late to be able to incorporate it into my daughter’s weddings, but it would’ve made a wonderful addition to the reception.  The tradition of hiding charms within the wedding cake dates back to the Victorian era.  The bride would hide different charms, each with a special meaning, between the layers of the wedding cake.  The charms were attached to ribbons that would drape delicately from the cake.  Before the cake was served to guests, the bridesmaids would each pull a ribbon and find their charm.  The bride would then reveal the meaning of each charm, a sort of ‘blessing’, to each of her attendants.  Today this tradition is not limited merely to the wedding reception.  Charm cakes can be served at bridal showers, the bridesmaid luncheon, or the rehearsal dinner.

Cake charms can be ordered online and attached with any color ribbon.  Since the charms should be hidden during the assembling of the cake, it’s best to let your bakery hide the charms.  Talk with your baker about how and where you would like the charms hidden.  Charms can be placed underneath the bottom of the cake with the ribbons streaming onto the table, or between layers with the ribbons cascading down the sides of the cake.  They can even be hidden underneath or within the decorations on top, using the ribbons as part of the design on the top layer. 

When planning your reception, consider including this uncommon tradition.  The charms make wonderful keepsake wedding favors for your bridesmaids and can be placed on a charm bracelet for a lasting memory of your special day.