Wedding Cake Traditions In New Zealand: Fruitful And Flavorful

Wedding cakes in New Zealand come in a variety of flavours, styles, and designs. While some couples opt for the traditional fruit cake, others choose alternative flavours such as chocolate, carrot cake, or lemon drizzle. The Cake Eating Company in Christchurch, for example, crafts cakes that are almost too beautiful to eat, while Auckland-based The Caker celebrates the beauty and deliciousness of home baking. With a range of talented bakers across the country, couples can find a cake that reflects their unique style and taste preferences.

Wedding cakes in New Zealand are not just fruit cakes

Fruit cakes have a long history in wedding traditions. In medieval times, cakes made of wheat were thrown at the bride as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Over time, the wedding cake evolved into a stacked cake, with multiple tiers. The Victorians introduced white icing, which symbolised purity, and the whiter the cake, the more refined the sugar and the more affluent the wedding.

Today, wedding cakes in New Zealand come in a variety of flavours and styles. Couples can choose from chocolate cake, carrot cake, lemon drizzle, sponge cake, and even cupcakes. The cake is often served as a dessert at the wedding meal, allowing guests to enjoy a sweet treat during the celebration.

The design of the wedding cake is also an important consideration. From elegant and classic designs to trendy and modern masterpieces, couples can work with talented bakers and decorators to create a cake that reflects their unique style and personality. Whether it's a simple and elegant cake or a bold and whimsical creation, the options are endless.

New Zealand is home to many talented wedding cake bakers and cakeries, such as Cake & Co., The Caker, and Sweet Avenue Cakes, who are dedicated to crafting exquisite wedding cakes that not only taste delicious but also capture the essence of the couple's love and style. With their sophisticated flavours, textures, and designs, these bakers elevate the wedding cake to a true work of art.

Wedding cake bakeries in New Zealand

Wedding cakes in New Zealand are no longer restricted to the traditional fruit cake. While fruit cakes are still an option, modern couples are increasingly opting for cakes made of chocolate, choux pastry, sponge, or cupcakes.

If you're looking for a bakery to make your dream wedding cake in New Zealand, there are several talented cakeries to choose from. Here are some of the top wedding cake bakeries in the country:

Cake & Co.

Based in Auckland, Cake & Co. creates mind-blowing cakes that seem to have come straight out of a fairytale. Their cake artists offer a range of designs, from elegant and classic to trendy and modern masterpieces.

Just Jess Boujee Bakery

With a name like Just Jess, you can expect a personal flair to her creations. Her cakes are true works of art that will have your guests snapping photos from every angle.

Bluebells

Nestled in the heart of Auckland, Bluebells is a hidden gem that has been crafting edible masterpieces for years. Their dedication to perfection and their love for all things sweet will shine through in your wedding cake.

Sweet Avenue Cakes

Located in the quaint city of Hamilton, Sweet Avenue Cakes will design a cake that tells your unique love story. Whether you're looking for whimsical woodland themes or glitzy showstoppers, they'll add a touch of sweetness and charm to your special day.

Chrissy Cakes

Also in Hamilton, Chrissy Cakes can fulfil all your wedding cake fantasies. With her artistic flair and culinary expertise, Chrissy creates divine-tasting masterpieces that showcase the couple's individuality.

Sage & Grace

In Tauranga, Sage & Grace will take you to a world of sophisticated flavours and culinary artistry. Their cakes exude grace and charm and are a favourite among locals.

Em & Skye

Based in Wellington, Em & Skye fuse flavour and design to produce jaw-dropping creations. They provide bespoke designs to satisfy your most extravagant cake dreams, including bold colours and whimsical elements.

The Cake Eating Company

In Christchurch, The Cake Eating Company creates cakes that are almost too beautiful to eat. From delicate hand-painted watercolour designs to intricate sugar sculptures, they'll craft a cake that perfectly complements your wedding vision.

Weeping Willow

In the breathtaking location of Queenstown, Weeping Willow produces mouth-watering, picture-perfect cakes. Whether you desire rustic naked cakes or lavish tiered creations, they'll turn your cake fantasies into reality.

Country Cakery

With exquisite designs and mouth-watering flavours, Country Cakery in Queenstown creates cakes that tug at your heartstrings. Nadine adds a dash of romance and a sprinkle of elegance to each cake, ensuring it's an expression of your love story.

VANIYE Patisserie

Specialising in luxurious French-style multiple-layered cakes, VANIYE Patisserie in Auckland customises sophisticated cakes with unique flavours and textures.

The Caker

Also in Auckland, The Caker is a modern cake business that celebrates the beauty and deliciousness of home baking. Jordan Rondel, a self-taught baker, developed a style that elevates the experience of home-baked cakes.

These bakeries showcase the incredible talent and creativity of wedding cake makers in New Zealand. Whether you're dreaming of a traditional or contemporary cake, these artisans will craft a dessert that symbolises your love and style.

Wedding cake flavours

Wedding cakes in New Zealand are no longer limited to the traditional fruit cake. Nowadays, wedding cakes can be multi-flavoured, tiered, and made from a variety of ingredients such as chocolate, choux pastry, or sponge. Couples can choose from a range of flavours to represent their love and personalities.

Some popular wedding cake flavours in New Zealand include:

• Chocolate cake: A rich and indulgent option that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
• Fruit cake: While still a classic choice, fruit cakes are not as common as they once were. They are often included as one tier of a multi-tiered cake.
• Carrot cake: A delicious and somewhat healthier option that is perfect for those who want something a little different.
• Lemon drizzle: A light and refreshing choice, perfect for a summer wedding.
• Cookies and cream: A unique and fun flavour that is sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
• Choux pastry: For a unique twist on the traditional cake, a tower of cream-filled choux buns can be a show-stopping choice.
• Sponge cake: A classic and versatile option that can be filled with a variety of flavours.

When choosing a wedding cake flavour, couples can opt for a single flavour or a combination of different flavours for each tier. It is also important to consider the time of year and the overall theme or style of the wedding when making a decision.

Wedding cake decorations

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit can add a burst of colour and a touch of creativity to your wedding cake. Berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries, are a popular choice, especially during the summer months when they are in season. Other options include oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, which can add a bright and bold statement to your cake. For a more tropical feel, consider mangoes, pineapples, or passion fruit.

Flowers and Greenery

Flowers and greenery are a traditional choice for wedding cake decorations and can be paired beautifully with fresh fruit. For example, a cake adorned with citrus fruits and a hint of desert-inspired greenery or fresh blooms can be a stunning combination.

Drizzles and Drips

A caramel or lemon curd drip can be a delicious addition to a wedding cake, especially when paired with fresh fruit. A lemon curd drip cake, adorned with fresh lemons and blooms, is a perfect choice for a summer wedding.

Painted Cakes

If you don't want fresh fruit on your cake, consider a hand-painted cake that embraces the concept of fruit. A bright and bold citrus painting on a cake can be a unique and eye-catching addition.

Traditional Toppers

Of course, you can always opt for a more traditional cake topper. Fresh flowers and/or a special cake topper can be added to a fruit cake to create a beautiful and elegant display.

Marzipan and Icing

Marzipan and icing can be used to create a smooth and elegant finish to a fruit cake. The marzipan can be rolled out and eased over the cake, trimmed, and smoothed into place. The cake can then be left to set before royal icing is added, creating a natural, rugged appearance.

Wedding cake traditions

Wedding cakes are a highlight of any wedding, with flavours, styles, and accessories to consider. The cake is a symbol of the couple's love and personalities. In New Zealand, wedding cakes come in a variety of flavours, including chocolate, carrot cake, lemon drizzle, and the traditional fruit cake.

The tradition of the wedding cake dates back to medieval times when cakes were made of wheat, symbolising fertility and prosperity. These cakes were thrown at the bride, a custom that has fortunately evolved! The Romans broke a barley cake over the bride's head, with guests hoping to catch a crumb to share in the couple's good fortune. This may be where the custom of sending cake to those who couldn't attend the wedding originated.

Small buns were also stacked in a pile for the newlyweds to kiss over, eventually evolving into tiered cakes held together with lard, which was scraped off before eating. The Victorians introduced white icing as a symbol of purity, and the whiter the cake, the more refined the sugar, indicating the affluence of the wedding.

Today, wedding cakes in New Zealand can be tiered, multi-flavoured, and made from a variety of ingredients, including chocolate, choux pastry, sponge, and cupcakes. The cake is often served as a dessert at the wedding meal, with some couples choosing to save the top tier for their first child's christening.

Frequently asked questions