Wedding Cakes: Timeless Tradition Or Fading Fad?

Wedding cakes are a long-standing tradition, but in recent years, couples have been opting for alternative sweet endings to their wedding celebrations. While some still choose to have a wedding cake, others are getting creative with interactive dessert stations, roving treats, and personalised alternatives. So, are wedding cakes still popular?

Wedding cake alternatives

Wedding cakes are an iconic part of a wedding reception, but couples are increasingly choosing to break from tradition. While a classic wedding cake will never go out of style, there are plenty of alternatives to feed your guests.

Cake-shaped alternatives

If you want to keep the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, there are alternatives that can still be cut. A stack of flapjacks, for example, can be made to look like a cake. Or, for a more savoury option, you could try a cake made from wheels of cheese.

Cultural alternatives

Take inspiration from other cultures. A croquembouche, made from cream puffs and spun sugar, is commonly served at French weddings. Spanish weddings often feature wide, custard-forward cakes. Italian weddings might feature cannolis or millefoglie.

Sweet alternatives

For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of options. Cupcakes, macarons, and doughnuts are all popular alternatives. For something more unusual, try a doughnut wall, a macaron tower, or a display of churros, cookies, and cream puffs.

Savoury alternatives

If you don't like sweets, there are savoury options too. One couple served an Oreo cookie stack, while another served Rice Krispie treats. You could also try a charcuterie board or a steak and potatoes cake.

Other alternatives

There are plenty of other alternatives to a traditional wedding cake. Here are some ideas:

• Ice cream sandwiches
• Mini key lime pies
• Belgian waffles
• Pie
• Cake pops
• Brownies
• Ice cream from a truck or cart
• Candy jars
• Cookies
• Cake-shaped piñata
• Churros
• Mini cheesecakes
• Eclairs
• Cannolis
• Pancakes

Cake toppers

Wedding cakes are still popular, and cake toppers are a great way to add a creative and personalised touch to your special day. Here are some ideas for cake toppers:

Customised Toppers

You can add a unique and personalised touch to your wedding cake with a custom cake topper. This could include features such as:

• Your names or initials
• Your pets
• Your hobbies or interests
• A fun or meaningful lyric or quote
• A silhouette or portrait of the couple
• A replica of your engagement ring or wedding bouquet

Themed Toppers

You can also choose a cake topper that reflects the theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a Disney-themed wedding, you could have a Disney-inspired castle as your cake topper. Or, if you're having a rustic or outdoor wedding, you could incorporate succulents or floral elements into your cake topper. Other ideas for themed cake toppers include:

• A country western theme, with a cowboy hat and boots
• A golf theme, with a golf cart or golf clubs
• A travel theme, with a world map or luggage
• A Halloween theme, with a spooky or funny topper
• A bicycle theme, with a bride and groom riding a bike

Classic Toppers

Of course, you can also go for a classic, traditional cake topper. These typically feature a bride and groom, often in a romantic pose or with the groom carrying the bride. Classic toppers can be simple and elegant, or more detailed and ornate, depending on your preference.

Cake sizes

When it comes to wedding cake sizes, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the number of guests you are inviting and the number of servings you will need. A standard wedding cake serving is a slice that is 1 inch wide, 2 inches long, and 4 inches tall, while a party cake serving is usually 1.5 inches wide. You can estimate that 75 to 85 percent of your guests will want a slice of cake, and decide if you would like to have leftovers.

The size of a cake tier is typically determined by its diameter, with common sizes for round cakes including:

• 6-inch cake: 10-14 servings
• 8-inch cake: 20-28 servings
• 10-inch cake: 40-45 servings
• 12-inch cake: 50-56 servings
• 14-inch cake: 80-86 servings
• 16-inch cake: 100-110 servings

Square cakes will have more servings than round cakes of the same diameter. For example, a square 8-inch cake will have 32 servings, compared to 24 servings for a round 8-inch cake.

When planning a wedding cake, you can combine different-sized tiers to get the desired number of servings. For instance, a cake with 10-inch, 8-inch, 6-inch, and 4-inch tiers can feed 84 people.

It's important to note that the height of a cake layer also affects the number of servings. Taller cakes are more popular nowadays, and if your cake is taller than 4 inches, you may need to cut thinner slices.

In addition to the number of guests, other factors can influence the size of your wedding cake. If you're offering other desserts like cookies or cupcakes, you may need less cake. The venue size and decorations can also impact the cake size, with larger venues requiring bigger cakes to avoid looking out of place.

Cake designs

Wedding cakes are a great way to showcase your personality and style. Here are some unique and trendy cake designs to consider for your big day:

Pressed Floral Cakes

Featuring organic blooms on wedding cakes is a trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years and is expected to continue in 2023. Pressed flowers and greenery create a natural or boho look and add a delicate touch of colour to the cake. This trend can also be eco-friendly, as sugar flowers can be used as a sustainable alternative to fresh florals.

Ikebana-Inspired Cakes

Ikebana-inspired cakes bring a whimsical flair to floral wedding cakes. This style features a mix of longer-stemmed blooms that appear to be growing naturally from the cake, giving it a rustic and homemade feel.

Lambeth Cakes

Lambeth cakes are making a comeback in 2023. This vintage style features intricate piping details and is a perfect "something old" element for your wedding design. It is a unique and conversation-starting choice for your wedding cake.

Geode Wedding Cakes

Geode wedding cakes are a unique and trendy choice. They often feature metallic gold leaf and edible geode detailing, adding a touch of luxury and glamour to your dessert.

Translucent Isomalt Design

Another on-trend design choice is the use of translucent isomalt. This clear acrylic-style decoration can be a stunning and modern addition to your wedding cake.

Single-Tier Cakes

Single-tier cakes have been rising in popularity, especially with the increase in small, micro weddings and elopements. These cakes are perfect for minimalist celebrations and can still be customised to match your event style and theme.

Alternative Desserts

If a traditional wedding cake is not your style, you can opt for alternative desserts such as cheese cakes, doughnut towers, bundt cakes, brownie sundaes, or personalised cookies. This option allows you to get creative and offer a variety of treats to your guests.

Cake flavours

Wedding cakes are no longer restricted to the traditional fruit cake. Couples are increasingly opting for different flavours and styles to reflect their personalities and tastes. Here is a list of popular wedding cake flavours:

Classic Flavours

• Vanilla: A timeless choice that is always in style and will be loved by all. It can be paired with a variety of fillings and icings, such as raspberry or strawberry.
• Chocolate: A rich and decadent flavour that can be adapted to fit any wedding style, from rustic to elegant. It can be paired with fillings like salted caramel or buttercream icing.
• Lemon: A light and tangy flavour perfect for spring or summer weddings. It can be paired with fillings like lemon curd and cream cheese or blueberry and buttercream icing.
• Red Velvet: A delicious and visually stunning cake with a deep red colour and subtle chocolate flavour. It is often paired with cream cheese or buttercream icing.

Unique and Exciting Flavours

• Lavender and Honey: A light and floral flavour perfect for spring or summer weddings.
• Lemon and Thyme: A refreshing and tangy flavour ideal for outdoor weddings.
• Matcha Green Tea: A bold and earthy flavour for couples who love green tea.
• Chai Spice: A warm and spicy flavour perfect for autumn or winter weddings.
• Salted Caramel: A sweet and salty flavour that is a crowd-pleaser.
• Earl Grey: A unique and sophisticated flavour for tea-loving couples.
• Pink Champagne: A sweet and bubbly flavour perfect for toasting the happy couple.
• Coconut and Lime: A tropical and refreshing flavour ideal for beach or destination weddings.
• Black Forest: A rich and decadent flavour for chocolate lovers.
• Funfetti: A playful and colourful flavour for couples who want to add a touch of whimsy to their wedding.

Frequently asked questions