60 Cake Cutting Songs for Your Wedding, From Sweet to Funny

What is the most popular cake cutting song?

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" is the song couples choose most, in the James Taylor or the Marvin Gaye version. Close behind are "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies and "Sugar" by Maroon 5. They are short, upbeat and on theme without being cheesy, which is exactly what this moment needs. If you want a laugh instead, "Another One Bites the Dust" is the classic joke pick.

Do you need a song for the cake cutting?

You do not have to have one, but it helps. A song tells guests that something is happening, draws everyone to the cake table and gives the photographer a cue. Without music, the cake cutting can happen half unnoticed while people are at the bar. One song, roughly two or three minutes long, is all you need.

Sweet classic cake cutting songs

1. "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", James Taylor or Marvin Gaye: the cake cutting standard.
2. "Sugar, Sugar", The Archies: bubbly and impossible not to smile at.
3. "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (I Can't Help Myself)", Four Tops: Motown sweetness.
4. "I Want Candy", Bow Wow Wow: retro and playful.
5. "Lollipop", The Chordettes: a 1950s pop treat.
6. "Honey Pie", The Beatles: a vaudeville-style love song.
7. "L-O-V-E", Nat King Cole: short, elegant and sweet.
8. "Happy Together", The Turtles: about being happy together, which you are.
9. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", Stevie Wonder: pure joy.
10. "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)", Natalie Cole: upbeat soul for a lasting love.
11. "Sweet Thing", Rufus and Chaka Khan: smooth 70s soul.
12. "Cut the Cake", Average White Band: a funk instrumental with the perfect title.

Modern cake cutting songs

13. "Sugar", Maroon 5: the song from the famous wedding-crashing video.
14. "Cake by the Ocean", DNCE: a party favorite with a cake in the title.
15. "Yummy", Justin Bieber: light and catchy.
16. "Peaches", Justin Bieber: a relaxed groove.
17. "Butter", BTS: smooth, bright and fun.
18. "Watermelon Sugar", Harry Styles: summery and sweet.
19. "Cake", Flo Rida and 99 Percent: a short party track.
20. "Good Life", OneRepublic: about how good life is right now.
21. "Sweet Disposition", The Temper Trap: dreamy and uplifting.
22. "Honey, I'm Good", Andy Grammer: about being happily committed.
23. "Love on Top", Beyoncé: key change after key change.
24. "Marry Me", Train: sweet and simple.

Romantic cake cutting songs

25. "Better Together", Jack Johnson: easy and warm.
26. "Banana Pancakes", Jack Johnson: a breakfast love song, which suits dessert too.
27. "Grow Old with You", Adam Sandler: tender and a little funny.
28. "You Are the Best Thing", Ray LaMontagne: brassy, warm and joyful.
29. "Lucky", Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat: about marrying your best friend.
30. "The Sweetest Thing", U2: a bouncy love song with a sweet title.
31. "Ice Cream", Sarah McLachlan: a short, gentle love song comparing love to ice cream.
32. "Sweet Pea", Amos Lee: soft and charming.
33. "Sweet Love", Anita Baker: classic R&B romance.
34. "Stuck Like Glue", Sugarland: playful country love with a band name to match.

Funny songs for the cake smash

35. "Another One Bites the Dust", Queen: the classic joke as the knife goes in.
36. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor: for couples who treat the cake like a boxing match.
37. "Beat It", Michael Jackson: for the cake smash.
38. "The Final Countdown", Europe: dramatic build-up to the first slice.
39. "Mission: Impossible Theme", Lalo Schifrin: for a stealthy approach to the cake table.
40. "Hungry Like the Wolf", Duran Duran: for the couple who skipped lunch.
41. "Eat It", "Weird Al" Yankovic: a parody that guests of every age recognize.
42. "Food, Glorious Food", from Oliver!: theatrical and silly.
43. "Pour Some Sugar on Me", Def Leppard: big hair, big chorus.
44. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", Eurythmics: for a dramatic, tongue-in-cheek entrance.

Country cake cutting songs

45. "Honey Bee", Blake Shelton: a sweet, light country love song.
46. "Sweet Thing", Keith Urban: about the excitement of new love.
47. "Honey, I'm Home", Shania Twain: upbeat and playful.
48. "Sweet Home Alabama", Lynyrd Skynyrd: everyone sings along, and the title fits.
49. "Sweet Annie", Zac Brown Band: a gentle love song.
50. "Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band: about the simple, good things in life.
51. "Friends in Low Places", Garth Brooks: a wink for the wedding-crasher in every family.

R&B and soul cake cutting songs

52. "Candy", Cameo: the line-dance favorite, perfect if your family loves the Electric Slide.
53. "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)", Four Tops: a sweet 70s compliment song.
54. "Let's Stay Together", Al Green: smooth and devoted.
55. "Ain't Nobody", Chaka Khan: an 80s groove everyone moves to.
56. "Before I Let Go", Frankie Beverly and Maze: a cookout and reception staple.
57. "Best of My Love", The Emotions: bright and danceable.
58. "Crazy in Love", Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z: high energy for the cake smash.
59. "Golden", Jill Scott: a joyful song about freedom and feeling good.
60. "Lovely Day", Bill Withers: it is, after all.

Should the cake cutting song be romantic or fun?

Most couples go fun. The first dance already covers romance, and the cake cutting is usually a lighter, playful moment with lots of laughter. If you are planning a gentle bite rather than a smash, a sweet romantic song like "Better Together" or "L-O-V-E" sets the tone. If there is any chance of frosting on a face, choose something upbeat or outright funny.

Instrumental and string versions

For a formal reception, ask for a string quartet or piano cover of a fun song: "Sugar", "Happy Together" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" all sound elegant in an instrumental version, and guests still recognize them with a smile.

How long should the cake cutting song be?

The cutting itself takes one to two minutes: the first slice, feeding each other a bite and a few photos. Choose a song of two to three minutes, or ask the DJ to fade it after the first chorus. If you plan a cake smash, the DJ should time the drop or the biggest chorus to that moment, so give them a heads-up.

When should you cut the cake?

• Right after dinner: the most common slot, before dancing starts, so the catering team can slice and serve dessert.
• After the first dance: keeps guests on their feet and near the dance floor.
• Before older guests leave: grandparents often want to see it.
• Not too late: past 10 p.m., many guests are dancing or gone.

Tips for the cake cutting moment

• Agree on smash or no smash beforehand. Surprises are rarely appreciated in a dress you rented.
• Tell the DJ the exact song and the cue, and who will announce it.
• Hold the knife together, one hand over the other, and cut a small slice from the bottom tier.
• Turn toward the camera for the bite, not toward the cake.
• Check the version. Several fun picks have explicit edits; ask for the clean radio edit.

Cake cutting songs for an engagement party or birthday

The same playful songs work for an engagement cake: "Marry Me", "Lucky" or "Sugar". For a birthday cake, play "Happy Birthday" for the singing, then hand off to something fun like "Celebration" or "Birthday" by The Beatles while the slices go around. And for an anniversary cake, "How Sweet It Is" or the song from your wedding day.

A song written about the two of you

If you want the cake cutting, or any moment of the reception, to play a song nobody else has, a personalized wedding song can tell your own story: how you met, the proposal and the people in the room. It is also the song you will put on your wedding video. See our lists of first dance songs, wedding party entrance songs and last dance songs, and our custom wedding song guide.

How to create your wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, soul, country, swing and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share three moments from your story, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3 for your DJ, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give your reception a song that is only yours: create your wedding song and hear four previews for free.