Have a Cake Pull at Your Wedding Reception

A cake pull, sometimes called a ribbon pull, is a tradition where tiny silver charms are tied to long beautiful ribbons, and the charms are then hidden under the bottom layer of the wedding cake. They are sometimes hidden between the layers. The only thing you see are the beautiful ribbons hanging down. The ribbon type and color is usually selected to match the color scheme of the cake. Tradition has it that the charm pulled by an individual is a prediction of what the future holds for them.

How you choose to do this at your celebration is totally up to you. There are many variations possible, but here is one of the most popular.

Before the cake is cut, gather the chosen participants around the cake. This could be bridesmaids, parents of the bride and groom, or all the members of the wedding party.

It is best to have all the charms put around the backside of the cake, as this makes for the best pictures of the event. You can see everyone's face more clearly. Have everyone grab a ribbon and pull. The charm they get is theirs to keep, and will be a wonderful memento of your special day.

Airplane - Life of Adventure and Travel
Anchor - A Stable Life
Church or Wedding Bells - Next to Be Married
Flower - Blossoming Relationship
Heart - True Love
Shamrock - Good Luck
Rocking Chair - A Long Life
Cross - A Peaceful Life
Carriage or Baby Items - A Life with many Happy Children
Thimble or Button - You Will be an Old Maid

If you would like to have a cake pull at your baby shower, just add charms with a baby theme. Choose your ribbons to match the shower theme colors.

If you are going to have games at your shower, the winner of each game could pull a charm, then present it to the mom-to-be. She could then use those charms to make a charm bracelet as a keepsake.