After taking a month to calm down, I am now able to ask on the forum if anyone else has had a security problem after wedding cake set up.  For my nephew’s wedding, I stacked the cake on the table designated by the pastry chef at the terribly upscale country club.  Certainly this chef had plenty of other cakes to do that day and did not seem put out that he wasn’t doing one for this wedding.  My sister (mother of groom) and I artfully arranged the orchids, calla lillies, and other greenery on the cake and table before changing into our wedding clothes and heading for the chapel. 

  Imagine my surprise when I returned to the club for the receptionto find not only all tables rearranged but also the flowers on the cake and cake table!  I spoke with the event manager:  “We had to get into the closet near the cake table to switch out some tables.  Sorry, but we had to.”  Yes, I elevated the issue to the club manager and the catering manager who certainly reponded better when I pointed out that groveling would be the minimum requirement.  But still, the flowers were rearranged!

  Obviously, what I need to do next time is hire a security guard so one, lone, young staff member doesn’t drag the table out of the way, shifting the orchids!

Gasp… what nerve!!!!  I would be LIVID!!!!  Why didn’t they simply pick up the table and move it out of the way instead of moving the cake and decorations - doesn’t add up to me.

The audacity and so unprofessional!!!! As Patricia said why didn’t they just move the entire table.

I think that probably one staff member just dragged the table-bump, bump,bump-and things began to shift.  What really puzzles me still is why so much stuff was changed rather than use the orchid tracks to redo.  I haven’t yet figured out how to upload photos here, but when I get an “after” photo, I’ll post it with a “before” shot.  At the reception, I was too heartsick to take a photo of the “new and improved” version and the professional photographer hasn’t released the photos yet.

How could someone be so mean-spirited at a wedding?  So sorry that happened!

I’m on the edge of my seat - can’t wait to see the before and afters.  I have a feeling the flowers were intentionally rearranged (just a hunch).

The photographer for the wedding has just agreed to let me have some digital images, so the AFTER one should be posted soon.  Here is a photo of BEFORE.

Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! I love it specially the colours.

I agree - it’s gorgeous!!
Can’t wait to see the after shot.

Here is a photo of the AFTER SHOCK cake taken from a slightly different angle at the wedding reception.  Maybe the staff member who arranged the champagne flutes, etc., felt he/she knew so much more.  I hope viewers can see the branch smushed diagonally on the left side of the bottom tier.

Oh my gosh, the “makeover” is terrible!  Your “before” photo is gorgeous, so elegant and tasteful.  The rearrangement is definitely not an improvement, you must have been beside yourself with anger and disappointment.  Did you ever figure out who did it or why?

Thank you, Julie, for confirming that I was not hallucinating at the reception!  My latest theory is that the staff member who laid the champagne flutes and cutting utensils might have rearranged things to his/her taste, but the country club manager and catering manager offered only “I’m so sorry” instead of tracking down the villian!

what a shame. the before is beautiful! wish i was as skilled!

jen

Hands down your “before” cake is more beautiful and tastefully decorated than the “after” one. I was talking about your horrible experience with my aunt a few days ago. My cousin got married last weekend and the wedding reception was on a ship. They live in Australia. The cake was placed at the back till the rest of the room was set up. When it was time to move the cake one of the staff members moved it by himself. He just dragged the table across the floor. One of my other cousins saw him and stopped him but it was too late. The pillars between the tiers had shifted and the cake was lop sided. The professional photographer hadn’t even taken any pictures. There is only one picture it which the lady who made the cake took.

Rozanne, that story is yet another confirmation that all wedding cakes need security guards!  I will not make another one without posting someone armed with a heavy spatula and Henckel knife to ward off incompetent staff members!

Wow… AFTER SHOCK is right!  What were they thinking???  Oh my…. maybe the branch was placed there to cover a smooshed side or something?  I’m so sorry… I know when I decorate a cake, I expect it to look EXACTLY the way I decorated it until the thing is cut.  You must have been so incredibly disappointed - your set-up was sooooo much better!!!! .....I feel your pain!!!