German Wedding Cakes: A Traditional Treat?

German weddings have a variety of unique traditions, from porcelain-breaking parties to bride kidnappings and ten-foot-long cakes. But what about the food? German wedding banquets are usually sit-down dinners with a formal, set menu, and there is no dancing until after the last course. So, what about the wedding cake?

German wedding cakes

One traditional German wedding cake is the Brauttorte (Bridal Cake) from the 19th-century German cookbook, Henriette Davidis' Practical Cook Book. This cake features an almond sponge, lemon curd filling, and marzipan decoration.

Another traditional German wedding cake is the Baumkuchen, which has been served at patrician weddings since the Middle Ages. This cake is made with a spit and is quite time-consuming to make, so it is considered a king of pastries. Thin, even layers of batter are poured onto a cylindrical form and rotated over a heat source, creating a layered effect.

Other types of cakes that are commonly served at German weddings include Black Forest Cake and Spitzwecken, a ten-foot-long cake that is carried into the room by several wedding guests.

German wedding traditions

Pre-Wedding Traditions

Before the big day, German wedding traditions include the Polterabend, where guests bring porcelain dishes to smash and bring good luck to the couple. Another custom is for the bride and groom to sleep apart, staying with family or friends, which is considered to ward off bad luck. On the wedding day, German brides often hide a penny in their shoe, a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Attire

In the past, German brides wore black dresses, but today, they usually opt for classic ball gowns without long trains. Grooms typically wear a formal suit or tuxedo.

Ceremony

At the ceremony, the couple walks down the aisle together, symbolising unity and a strong start to their marriage. Wedding parties tend to be small, and the bride usually carries a bouquet tied with a white ribbon, often given to her by her spouse-to-be.

Reception

At the reception, the newlyweds are expected to saw a wooden log in half together, showing their ability to work as a team. A unique German wedding cake is the Spitzwecken, a ten-foot-long cake carried into the room by several male guests, who pretend it's too big to fit through the door. Another tradition is the kidnapping of the bride by the best man, where she goes out drinking with the groom's friends, and the groom must find and "buy back" his bride.

Food

German wedding banquets are usually sit-down dinners with a formal, set menu. Hochzeitssuppe (wedding soup) is a common starter, and the main course often includes Tafelspitz, a boiled piece of aged beef or young ox. German wedding cakes vary, but a popular choice is a sponge cake filled with fruit, known as a German Butter Cake.

Post-Wedding

German wedding food

German wedding traditions vary from those in other countries. German families prefer their wedding banquets to be sit-down dinners with a formal, set menu rather than a buffet. It is customary to wait until after the last course is eaten before dancing. In the meantime, family and friends offer toasts and speeches, and sometimes put on theatrical or musical performances to poke fun at the happy couple.

A typical German wedding menu might include the following:

Hochzeitssuppe (Wedding Soup)

A frequent starter or first course, this soup usually consists of chicken broth with chunks of white chicken meat or small Fleischklößchen (meatballs), white asparagus tips, egg noodles or thin glass noodles, and Eierstich (a German soup ingredient made from eggs, butter, nutmeg and herbs mixed with milk and then cooked until hardened and cut into pieces). There are numerous regional variations, and instant varieties are available in grocery stores.

Hochzeitsnudeln (Wedding Noodles)

Pasta is a simple staple, and for weddings, only the best ingredients should be used. You may find noodles appearing as an ingredient in Hochzeitssuppe or in a side dish such as Königsberger Nudeln.

Tafelspitz

The second course of a wedding menu frequently includes Austrian Tafelspitz, a piece of aged beef or young ox from the bottom sirloin, boiled until tender in a vegetable broth. Tafelspitz can be served cold and thinly sliced (with condiments like horseradish sauce, sauce remoulade, silverskin onions and pickled gherkins), or hot with fried potatoes and apples.

Grüne Soße (Green Sauce)

A specialty from Hessia, green sauce is often found at a Polterabend or Paube (a pre-wedding grill evening hosted by the father of the bride). The sauce is full of herbs and is the perfect complement to grilled meat.

Grööner Hein (Pears, Beans and Bacon)

A traditional, rural delicacy from Northern Germany, Grööner Hein is a one-pot meal made with halved cooking pears, green beans, a bit of savory, thick pieces of slab bacon, and potatoes, all cooked in chicken or vegetable broth.

Baumkuchen, Baumstrietzel

Baumkuchen is a layered cake with honey and almonds common to German-speaking cultures and has been served at patrician weddings since the Middle Ages. It is made on a spit, with thin, even layers of batter poured onto a cylindrical form and rotated over a heat source. When 15-20 layers are complete, the cake can be removed and sliced.

Coffee and Sekt (Sparkling Wine)

Germans adopted coffee drinking in the 1680s, and due to its high price, it was originally used as a digestive treat after the wedding feast. Today, coffee and a glass of Sekt are served to aid digestion.

German wedding dances

German weddings are full of quirky traditions and rituals, from smashing plates to sawing wood, and dancing is no exception. Here are some paragraphs detailing German wedding dances:

The Veil Dance

The veil dance, or Schleiertanz, is a German twist on the traditional bouquet toss. The newly married couple dance under the bride's veil, which is then torn to shreds by the single female wedding guests. The guest who manages to get the largest piece of fabric is said to be the next to marry. This tradition is said to symbolise the end of the bride's bachelorhood.

Sawing the Tree Trunk

Baumstamm sägen, or sawing a tree trunk, is an old German custom where the newlyweds must saw a log in half together. This game is played shortly after the wedding ceremony and is meant to demonstrate the couple's ability to work together as a team. It is critical for the couple to push and pull the saw in a balanced and well-timed manner to successfully complete the task.

Waltz

The waltz is a classic ballroom and folk dance that traces its origins back to the 13th century. It is a popular choice for German weddings, especially for the first dance between the newlyweds. The dance is usually performed in a closed position with quick rotations, making it a perfect fit for weddings that take inspiration from retro aesthetics.

Discofox

The discofox is a newer style of dance that has gained popularity among younger German couples. It is similar to the hustle from the United States and is typically accompanied by disco music or other high-energy songs. This style of dance is more improvisational and less structured than other types of wedding dances.

Polter Night

The night before the wedding, friends and family gather for Polterabend or Polter Night, which involves smashing porcelain plates, bowls, and mugs for good luck. This tradition is likely pre-Christian in origin, and the loud noises are meant to ward off evil spirits. The couple then cleans up the broken pieces together, symbolising their ability to work together.

German wedding bouquet

There are no set rules for the types of flowers used in German wedding bouquets, but white orchids are said to symbolise the purity of love and innocence and are a popular choice for brides.

At the end of the wedding banquet, it is customary for the bride to throw her bouquet over her shoulder to the unmarried girls. According to tradition, the person who catches the bouquet and gets the largest piece of fabric is the next in line to be married.

Frequently asked questions