Wedding Cakes: Essential Or Unnecessary Tradition?

Wedding cakes have been a staple of wedding celebrations for centuries, but are they really necessary? The short answer is no. While some couples opt for a traditional wedding cake, others choose to forgo it in favour of alternative desserts or no dessert at all. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and budget constraints.

For those who want to include a cake in their wedding celebrations, there are many options to choose from. Traditional tiered cakes can be a beautiful and elegant choice, while semi-naked cakes with minimal frosting offer a more rustic and organic feel. Couples can also choose to incorporate personal touches, such as metallic accents, floral adornments, or unique flavours that reflect their personalities and tastes.

On the other hand, some couples may decide to skip the wedding cake altogether. Alternative dessert options can include dessert bars with pies, macarons, cookies, brownies, or even a popcorn station. Others may choose to offer a variety of small treats such as doughnut holes, oversized doughnuts, or a milk and cookies bar.

Whether you choose to have a wedding cake or not, the most important thing is to make sure that you and your guests have a sweet treat to enjoy during the celebrations. So, if you're wondering whether a wedding cake is necessary, the answer is that it's entirely up to you!

Wedding cake alternatives

Wedding cakes are an iconic part of a wedding reception. However, they are not mandatory, and there are plenty of alternatives to serve to your guests. Here are some ideas for wedding cake alternatives:

• Cupcakes: Cupcakes are a popular alternative to wedding cakes as they are easy to serve and eat, and you can offer a variety of flavours to suit different tastes.
• Donut walls: Donuts are a fun and interactive option for guests, and they can be displayed in a variety of ways, such as a pyramid or a wall.
• Macarons: Macarons are a elegant and colourful option, and they can be offered in different flavours and colours to match your wedding theme.
• Pies: Pies are a great option if you want to offer a variety of flavours and are perfect for a fall wedding.
• Ice cream: Ice cream is a fun and refreshing option, especially for a summer wedding. You can offer a variety of flavours and toppings, or even have an ice cream sundae bar.
• Cheese wheels: A cake-inspired display of cheese wheels is a unique option for a savory after-dinner snack, especially if you prefer salty over sweet treats.
• Cake pops: Cake pops are a portable and colourful option that can be crafted to match your wedding colour scheme.
• Cookies: Cookies can be stacked in a wedding cake-inspired tower for a fun twist. You can offer a variety of flavours and types of cookies to suit different tastes.
• Mini desserts: Instead of a large wedding cake, you can offer a variety of bite-sized desserts such as brownies, cake pops, or chocolate-covered strawberries.
• Cultural desserts: Consider offering a dessert that pays homage to your heritage or a meaningful locale. For example, Italian millefoglie, French croquembouche, or Spanish custard cakes.

Wedding cake toppers

Cake toppers can be made from a range of materials, including porcelain, wood, and acrylic. Acrylic toppers, in particular, have become increasingly popular due to their versatility, durability, and modern aesthetic. They can be easily customised and are lightweight, making them ideal for destination weddings or outdoor receptions.

If you want to add a personal touch to your cake topper, you can choose from a variety of customisation options. You can select the skin tone and hair colour of the figurines to match you and your partner, or even include motifs that celebrate your personalities, such as musical instruments or sports equipment. For a more modern twist, acrylic toppers can be etched with your names, wedding date, or other personalised details.

Whether you're looking for something romantic, funny, or simply unique, there is a wide range of wedding cake toppers available to choose from. They are a great way to showcase your personality as a couple and create a cherished keepsake that you can display for years to come.

Cake cutting ceremony

The cake-cutting ceremony is a symbolic wedding tradition that has evolved over time. It is a meaningful activity for many couples, symbolising their first joint task as newlyweds and their promise to support each other. It is also a great photo opportunity.

Timing

Cutting the cake usually happens after dinner and signals to guests that the reception is almost over. You can cut the cake earlier in the reception if you want to give families with young children or elderly guests the option to leave early.

Music

Choose a song that is specific to cakes, sweets, or love to play during the cake-cutting. Some song suggestions include:

• "Love on Top" by Beyonce
• "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith
• "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You" by James Taylor
• "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
• "Ordinary Love" by Ben Rector

Customisations

Make the cake-cutting ceremony personal to you. Customise the cake stand and cutter or add meaningful designs to the cake. You could also add something extra to the cake-cutting moment, such as an ice cream bar, donut bar, or chocolate-covered strawberries.

Cutting the Cake

Position yourselves so that one of you is standing closest to the cake, holding the knife with your dominant hand, while the other stands behind, placing their hand on top. Cut an inch into the bottom tier of the cake to provide more stability and avoid crumbling. You can make a square-shaped or wedge-shaped piece by making another slice parallel or diagonal to the first one.

Feeding Each Other

After cutting the cake, the couple usually feeds each other the first slice, symbolising their commitment to providing for one another. Discuss with your partner beforehand whether you want to smash the cake into each other's faces or not.

Serving the Cake

Once the initial piece is cut, the catering staff will take over and bring the cake back to the kitchen to slice for the rest of the guests. Alternatively, you can cut and hand out the cake to guests yourself, serve it at tables, or leave it out for guests to grab throughout the night.

Leftovers

Consider having small to-go boxes set out on the cake table towards the end of the night so that guests can take leftover cake home.

Cake-smashing pros and cons

The wedding cake smash, also known as the wedding smash, is a tradition usually done during the cake-cutting ceremony. After slicing the cake, the newlyweds feed each other a piece of cake, then rub the frosting or a small piece of cake onto each other's faces. This tradition has evolved over the centuries, with some brides in ancient Rome and medieval England throwing cake or having it smashed over their heads to symbolise male dominance in the marriage, fertility, and a wealthy future.

Pros

• It can be a fun and playful moment for the couple and guests.
• It's a great photo opportunity.
• It can be a funny way to end the evening and lead into a high-energy exit.

Cons

• It can be seen as a sexist tradition with roots in male dominance.
• It can be wasteful, especially if a large part of the cake is smashed.
• It can ruin hair, makeup, and clothing, which is something many brides would like to avoid.
• It can be seen as disrespectful to the baker, who has spent hours creating the cake.
• It can be embarrassing, especially if one partner is not on board with the idea.
• It can be expensive, as wedding cakes are often costly.

Wedding cake preservation

Wedding cakes are a ceremony classic and an important part of the wedding day. Many couples choose to preserve their wedding cake, specifically the top tier, to eat on their one-year anniversary. This is a romantic way to reminisce about your special day.

Timing:

As soon as possible after your wedding, ideally on the same day or the morning after, prepare your cake for freezing.

Remove decorations:

Take off any flowers, sugar flowers, or cake toppers. If you want to keep any sugar flowers as a memento, set them aside in a dry, room-temperature location.

Chill the cake:

Allow the icing to harden by placing the cake in the fridge or freezer. This will make it easier to wrap and prevent a mess.

Wrap the cake:

Use plastic wrap to cover the cake, pressing it directly against the surface of the cake. Then, add at least two layers of foil. Make sure there are no gaps or holes.

Seal the cake:

Place the wrapped cake in a zippered plastic freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. If you have a vacuum sealer, use that for the best results.

Store in the freezer:

Put the sealed cake in the back of your freezer, where it is coldest and least exposed to warm air when the door is opened.

Thawing:

A few days before your one-year anniversary, take the cake out of the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw. It is best to allow 24 to 48 hours for this process to avoid condensation.

Enjoy your cake:

On your anniversary, bring the cake to room temperature by leaving it on the counter for five to six hours, unwrapped, and then enjoy your delicious treat!

Some cakes are better suited for freezing than others. Oil-based cakes tend to last longer, while delicate cakes like sponge cake or those with whipped cream toppings may not freeze well. Consult your baker for advice on the specific type of cake you have.

Finally, if freezing your cake doesn't appeal to you, you can always ask your baker to make a replica of your wedding cake's top tier for your anniversary. That way, you can enjoy a freshly baked cake instead!

Frequently asked questions