At a wedding reception? No. A wedding reception, or any reception for a party for that matter, should involve a full meal with drinks, appetizers, entrees, main course, and dessert, along with dancing, music, or some other form of entertainment.
It depends on whether a bakery where you live would deliver the cake to the wedding reception. It might be quite difficult to transport the cake yourself.
"Cake table" or "reception table" are the only names that come to mind.
During the Reception, about an hour before the end of the reception.
No, they do not. And the cake is the bride's and the groom's; it doesn't belong to the groom alone.
The wedding cake is the cake eaten and presented at the ceremony / reception after the wedding has taken place. It is symbolically cut by the newly wed bride and groom, and then eaten. Tradtionally, the wedding cake is large (enough to feed all the guests at the wedding), and white or off-white in color. A groom's cake can be 2 things. It can be a smaller, more "fun" or "exciting" cake that is also eaten during the reception. Or, it can be a cake that is used at a party for the groom, like a bachelor party or something of the sort.
It's for during the wedding reception to celebrate the bride and groom on their wedding day.
Somewhere that is clearly visible from a distance, but not easily accesible
You don't . This is a completely unacceptable idea. If you can't afford a proper reception, just take your Wedding party to a small dinner, or have a small at home reception , cake and champagne only. In this case, you may invite people for cake and a toast to the happy couple. Better yet, stick to the Wedding party, and send announcements out AFTER the wedding. This way any gifts sent will be totally voluntary.Your real friends will understand if you cannot afford a reception.
I'm pretty sure it won't be ok.
You may say "hor d'oeuvres will be served".
Symbolically, it is the first joint physical act performed by the husband and wife.
If you cannot afford a formal reception, people that are close enough to be invited will understand your circumstances. If you can manage it, cake and champagne at the church hall or at home would at least give your guests a chance to toast your health and happiness. A home baked cake is quite acceptable.