After the wedding dress, probably the wedding cake is one aspect of the wedding to which the bride gives most thought. And yet it is often left to others to make important decisions about the cake.

Hours will have been spent discussing the size and shape of the cake, and dozens of different designs looked at. But think about how the cake will be displayed at the wedding reception – a magnificent cake which has taken weeks to decorate can sometimes scarcely be seen.

In the past wedding cakes were always placed on the main table, right in front of the bride and groom. This gave the guests a good view of the cake, but many of them could hardly see the happy couple!

Although it is usual for the bride to cut the cake at the end of the meal, there is an alternative solution. If the cake is displayed in the reception area (where the bride and groom mingle with guests after their wedding ceremony) rather than in the room where the meal takes place, there are some advantages. Firstly, it gives guests time and space to have a close look at the cake. And, if the bride cuts the cake at this stage, the caterers have more time to slice it into sections, before handing it out after the meal.

Always make sure that the tablecloth on which the wedding cake stands is smooth. So many photographs show a beautiful cake standing on a crumpled cloth! Photographs of the cake will show up well if the table is against a plain background. Make sure the table is firm, large enough, and not likely to move if knocked.

Banqueting cloth is a stiff embossed paper, ideal for covering wedding tables, and can be pinned in place – making sure the material reaches the floor. Swathes of soft material draped around the table always looks pretty. Choose a colour that blends in both with the cake, and with the general colour scheme.

Cakes always have more impact when they are raised from the surface. White, silver or gold stands can be hired. The shape of the stand should reflect the shape of the cake - a round stand for round cake. If costs have to be kept to a minimum, there is often something around the house that can be used. Or failing that, position plate under (and slightly smaller than) the cake board. The space beneath the board makes the cake appear larger.

Lighting is another important feature. The ideal solution is to have spotlights directed on the cake. Failing this if electric points are close (and the leads can be hidden) perhaps a hidden table light can be used to.

Depending upon the design of the wedding cake, decorating the table with flowers can give it an added attraction. A garland of fresh flowers around the table may look beautiful, but would use dozens of flowers and take some time to make. Consider bunches of flowers at intervals – perhaps positioned at the top of a drape. Or curves of greenery around the table. Ivy is pretty, especially the variegated type, but unless using small lengths, the leaves are often sparse. Sprays of the small leaved bush,