To follow up on wedding cakes and practicality, frugality and
efficiency ---
..
One wedding at which I officiated, the reception was in the church
dining room. Over 250 guests. No dinner, no bar; cake and punch,
coffee, nuts and candies, etc. The main wedding cake was a very
elegant three tier, from a bakery. This used for the ceremonial
cutting (I forbade them to do the tacky "mash in your face" thing.)
They saved the top tier to take home, and the rest was cut and served
on plates..
..
But, already set up on the serving table, relays of sheet cakes had
been previously baked and (simply) decorated by the ladies of the
church. They were already cut in squares and on small plates, along
with coffee and punch. Standing guests could pick up their cake plate
and coffee or punch, Other already seated at tables were served from
rolling carts. The two organizers were retired flight attendants, and
very organized and efficient!
..
I never before or since saw any reception work so well.