Far from just fruit cake, today’s wedding cakes let the bridal couple express their own tastes and aesthetics. Wedding cakes have come a long way over the years (thank goodness!). In fact, during the 16th and 17th century, there was no wedding cake at all. Rather, a “bride’s pie” was served at most weddings. Let’s just say that the filling was not exactly chicken and mushroom… According to a 1685 recipe, “bride pie” was filled with an assortment of pine kernels, oysters, lamb testicles, cocks’ combs. Part of the pie was even filled with live birds or a snake for the guests to pass away the time at a wedding when they cut up the pie at the table!
If live animals do not quite fit your idea of a delicious wedding cake, but you’re still unsure which type of cake will be the best for your Big Day, we’ve had a look at some of the latest trends and old favourites to help you choose a tasty, sweet centrepiece.
Which one of these makes your tummy rumble for something sweet?
An Ombre Day
One of the latest trends is the ombre cake, a classy way of adding a pop of colour that goes with your overall decor theme. As far as colours go, any shade you choose can work a treat. You can choose the ombre effect for the outside of the cake or for the different tiers or layers inside for that extra ‘wow’ factor.
Nice In Nude
The naked cake uses no (or very little) icing or frosting. This type of cake came about with the ‘rustic chic’ decor trend. A naked cake is a great way of showing off the cake itself, both visually and in taste and flavours.
A Bit of Bling
Metallic shades are all the rage when it comes to wedding decor, so why not let your wedding cake keep up with the trend? Think glittering gold, beautiful bronze and gleaming copper. Capture some old-world glam and make your cake a show-stopper with a sparkle!
Sprinkling of fun
Take yourself back in time with memories of your childhood birthday cakes by decorating your wedding cake with sprinkles (100s and 1000s). Whether you go all out by covering the whole cake or choose to keep your sprinkles more subtle, the burst of colours adds a touch of fun and nostalgia.
French Connection
The colourful French creation, the macaron, has become a popular sweet treat, partially because they just look so pretty! Created in all the colours of the rainbow (and then some more), macarons add a touch of colour and sophistication to your wedding cake. And, hey, if you love them so much, why not skip the cake part altogether? A stack of beautifully-presented macarons can look and taste just as good – if not better – than a more traditional wedding cake.
Why the White?
In the old days, like the white wedding dress, the white wedding cake was a symbol of the bride’s purity and virginity. In Victorian times, white also symbolised money and social status (this is because icing sugar was extremely expensive at the time). Nowadays, colourful cakes are by no means off-limits, and the couple can choose whatever colours they like. If you plan on making a particularly colourful creation, keep the cake looking stylish by using colours from the same palette.
The Classic
The traditional wedding cake is usually a dense fruit cake decorated with white marzipan and a hint of floral, crystal or pearl decor. At their wedding in 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton chose a traditional eight-tier fruit cake, which was covered in white icing and decorated with sugar flowers. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted for a less traditional version, with a lemon elderflower cake and white buttercream icing.
Just Do ‘You’
If the bride and groom share a particular passion, the wedding cake is a great way to bring it to life on the wedding day. Showcase your personalities or a mutual interest for all guests to see with a fun cake that reflects what makes you ‘you’. It also makes for a great conversation starter!
Stack It Up
Get creative with your cake by making a stack of waffles, doughnuts, pancakes that look like tiers of a cake. This works especially well for morning or brunch weddings and is a great alternative for couples who don’t particularly like cake but want to have something sweet to cut and serve on the day.
Cake To-Go
Instead of serving sliced pieces of cake on a plate, make it easy for guest to grab a bite with a stack of cupcakes or another ‘portable’ type of dessert, like a mini milk tart, dessert in a jar or petit fours. This can also save a bit of money, as serving the ‘cake’ can double as dessert.
Snap, Crackle, Pop
Mmm… Rice Krispie Treats! Sticky, sweet and oh-so-delicious, these childhood favourites can be transformed into a wedding that is sure to surprise and bring a smile! Rice Krispie Treat cakes are inexpensive to make and can be decorated simply with fruit, cut-outs and ribbons.
Licking those lips? Hopefully, even if you’re not a massive cake fan, you’re feeling inspired (and perhaps relieved) that there’s more to a wedding cake these days than fruit and marzipan! It’s your day, so there’s no need to feel bound by tradition when it comes to creating a cake that represents who you are as a couple.
