Wedding Blog
One of my favorite southern wedding traditions is the cake pull. I plan on having mine at my ladies’ tea the day before our wedding and think it’s going to be so much fun!
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What is a cake pull, you ask?!
Well, my lovelies, a cake pull is a super fun Victorian tradition that many of us southern girls still participate in.
Usually, silver charms that are attached to long satin ribbons are placed inside a Bundt cake (I don’t know if it has to be a Bundt cake, but I haven’t seen any other varieties…). The charms are hidden with ribbon tails trailing from the cake.
At some point in time, the ladies of the wedding party line up and each simultaneously pulls on a ribbon (hence the oh-so-descriptive title of ‘cake pull’) to reveal her fortune, which is told by the charm she pulls out of the cake.
The charms can be of anything, but back in the day they were things such as babies, money, travel, and a nasty thimble which is said to represent a “spinster” or “old maid”. While I’m a big fan of wealth and travel, I think the traditional charms are a bit dated. Thus, I think I’ll be putting my own spin on the charms. I’m pretty sure the prophesy of Louboutins, Lexuses, and lotto winnings would be a lot more exciting to my girls!
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Since there will be only three ladies in my wedding party, I’m going to have my cousins join in the fun since we’ll be inviting all of my female family members to the luncheon.
What, if any, regional traditions are you incorporating into your wedding planning?
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This is such a cute concept!!! And I definitely agree with the updated version of the fortunes!
i’ve always like this though i’ve never seen it done before [i haven't lived in the south in over 20 years!]. i want to do something like this with my tossing bouquet so i’d love to find out where you get your charms from!
Can brides who aren’t Southern still do this? I am not doing a bouquet toss, and I think this could be a really fun addition to my reception. Where are you getting your charms?
And that first question was not serious 
I just read it and realized how silly it sounded.
Oh I love this! I’ve never heard of this before, but I totally want to do this now at my shower. And I’ll have the Louboutin charm, please!
We did this at my girlfriends bridal shower in May, Another one of the bridesmaids pulled out and engagement ring, her boyfriend popped the question July 5th!!!
I will definitely be doing this at the wedding.
There are lots of websites that sell charms and explain their meanings.
Most weddings that I have been to, the pulls are not acually baked into the cake. Rather they are between layers or between the bottom layer and cake stand.
My sister did that at her wedding. Her charms were a heart, $, a house, a 4 leaf clover and 2 other things that I can’t remember. We pulled them from her wedding cake right before they cut it. It was super cute and everyone thought it was neat.
Because I’m putting together a bracelet for my god daughter, I’ve discovered some good sources for charms:
Fusion Beads: (free shipping!)
http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/category/35/Silver_Charms/
Fire Mountain Gems: (mix and match discounts)
http://www.firemountaingems.com/charms.asp?WT.srch=1&engine=adwords!3022&keyword=sterling+charms&s_kwcid=sterling%20charms|1813754540
Monster Slayer (not a huge selection, but great prices):
http://www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/SSCharms_Pendants/SSCharms.aspx
Charm Factory:
http://www.charmfactory.com/silver-charms.htm
Artbeads:
http://www.artbeads.com/charms.html
The price of silver has gone down a LITTLE bit in recent weeks, but sterling charms can still be pricey. So, if you don’t care about them being a “keepsake” you might want to buy pewter charms (making sure they are lead-free, of course).
Hope this helps!
This is such a great idea! How are you communicating to all your female relatives about the ladies’ tea? I’m having trouble fitting this in with so much going on the day before - the rehearsal, handing out tuxes (fiance’s mom’s job), people flying in that day. Scheduling-wise, how are you doing this (so that I can work it in too!).
One of my friends did a cake pull with her wedding (carrot) cake. I had never heard of it and since I was one of her bridesmaid got the chance to participate. Hmm, I would have never thought it was a southern tradition since she’s from upstate New York. I wish I remember what I had pulled out!!!
I love this idea! I feel like such a bad little southern girl. How did I not know about this? I’m calling Mama Dumpling right now to put this on the list of things to do at the shower!
I’m from New Orleans and VERY familiar with this tradition. The charms are typically put into the wedding cake itself and at some point during the reception the bride chooses single/unmarried friends for the cake pull.
@Miss Hot Cocoa: I’m hoping for a Guiseppe Zanotti charm
What a cute idea Miss lemonade!
Love this idea! I’ve even heard of having the baker bake the charms into the bottom layer of your wedding cake - but that seems messy.
Oh.My.God. I LOVE THIS! How did i never know about this tradition?!
I love this idea too! My mind is now reeling with ways I can work this in
@Miss Avocado: Avo, you are too cute!! Of course you can play along (you’re practically a southerner anyhow)! I’ll be getting my charms from either James Avery or mycharmedlife.com — both have super cute ones!
I’ve always seen it done with the actual wedding cake and pulled just before bride & groom cut the cake. Since I’m from New Orleans but planning a wedding in Colorado where we now live, this will definitely be one of the things we incorporate into our wedding as a nod to our Southern heritage.
@Miss Lemonade: Thanks Lemonade, I love mycharmedlife, I am so in love with all of those charms! I think I will do what you are doing and personalize instead of buying a readymade pack.
Oh, and I forgot Rings & Things:
http://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=6
They have a lot of non-sterling charms.
Ooooh I hope we hear more about this Ladies Tea! An entire other event to plan… I love it!
I saw this on Martha and I’ve been looking for cute charms ever since! Totally cute idea with having the updated “wishes”. Love it!
A friend just told me about this tradition so I had to Google it. For those of you looking for charms, one of the best sites I found is:
http://www.weddingcakecharms.us/
Have fun with it!
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Mrs. Lemonade, Austin/San Antonio
Age and Occupation: 28, Bureaucrat
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Music Management
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: April, 2009
Blogging Since: August 22, 2008
Venue: Country Club ceremony, ballroom reception
About Me: I’m a total wonkette who is lucky enough to be surrounded by her favorite things on a daily basis – awesome music, the great State of Texas and of course, Mr. Lemonade! I find any excuse I can to craft something and am completely infatuated with the 1950’s, all things Kennedy, and my furbaby Vida.
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