Singapore Weddings: Real Cake Or Fake?

Wedding cakes in Singapore are a big deal. From simple, rustic cakes to towering, glamorous creations, there's something for every taste and budget. But are these cakes real or fake?

In Singapore, it is common for restaurant or hotel banquets to offer a mock wedding cake for the cake-cutting ceremony. These fake cakes are often elaborately adorned and provided free of charge or as part of the banquet bill. However, some couples prefer to have a real, customised cake that they can serve to their guests.

There are several reasons why a couple might choose to have a real wedding cake. Firstly, it can save them money on dessert, especially if they are not serving a traditional Chinese dessert as part of the meal. Secondly, it is a tasty tradition that many couples want to include in their celebrations. The cake-cutting ceremony and feeding each other a piece of cake symbolise the couple's commitment to providing for and nurturing one another. Finally, eating the top tier of the cake on their first anniversary is a way for couples to relive their wedding day and reaffirm their commitment to each other.

So, while the decision to have a real or fake wedding cake ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are certainly some compelling arguments in favour of choosing a real cake.

Wedding cake traditions

Wedding cakes have come a long way from their origins in ancient Rome, where a simple loaf of barley bread was broken over the bride's head to symbolise fertility and good luck. Over time, the wedding cake has evolved into a grand centrepiece, with intricate designs and multiple tiers. The tradition of kissing over a towering wedding cake is said to have begun in England, where a successful kiss without toppling the confection was believed to bring prosperity and a lasting marriage.

In Singapore, the wedding cake is often seen as a must-have, with many couples opting for beautifully customised real cakes that serve as a delicious treat for their guests. The cake-cutting ceremony symbolises the couple's first act and first meal as newlyweds, representing their promise to care for and nurture each other.

When it comes to design, Singaporean couples have a wide range of options, from rustic and simple to tall and glamorous. The cake can be adorned with sugar flowers, buttercream, fondant, fresh flowers, or even gold flakes. The flavour options are equally diverse, with traditional choices like vanilla and chocolate, as well as unique local flavours like lychee martini and pulat hitam.

While some may consider the wedding cake old-fashioned, it remains a significant part of the celebration for many. Whether it's a simple one-tier cake or an extravagant multi-tiered creation, the wedding cake continues to be a beloved tradition that adds a sweet touch to the joyous occasion.

Real vs. fake wedding cakes

Wedding cakes in Singapore can be as unique as the couple celebrating their big day. From simple, rustic cakes to towering, colourful creations, there's something to suit every taste. But should you opt for a real or a fake cake? Here are some things to consider when deciding between a real vs. fake wedding cake.

The Case for Real Wedding Cakes

Tradition: The wedding cake is a long-standing tradition, dating back to ancient Rome, where bread was broken over the bride's head for good luck. In more recent times, the couple would kiss over a towering cake, symbolising a prosperous life and marriage. A real cake allows you to uphold these traditions and brings good luck to the couple and their guests.

Tasty Treat: A real cake means you can offer your guests a delicious slice to enjoy. It's a chance to indulge in cake tastings and choose a flavour that reflects your tastes, whether that's a unique flavour like lychee martini or a classic like vanilla bean.

Anniversary Tier: Preserving the top tier of your wedding cake to eat on your first anniversary is a special tradition. It symbolises your commitment to each other and the journey you've taken in your first year of marriage.

Dessert Savings: A real cake can also save you money on dessert, especially if you're not serving a multi-course meal that includes dessert.

The Case for Fake Wedding Cakes

Cost-Effective: Fake cakes are usually provided by the venue as part of the banquet bill, saving you money on a real cake.

Visual Impact: Fake cakes can be designed to look extravagant without the high cost. You can still have an impressive, multi-tiered cake for your cake-cutting ceremony and photos without worrying about the cost of feeding all your guests.

Less Waste: A fake cake means you don't have to worry about leftovers or guests not liking the flavour.

Ultimately, the decision between a real or fake wedding cake comes down to personal preference and budget. If you want to uphold traditions and treat your guests to a tasty treat, a real cake is the way to go. However, if you're looking to save money and still want the visual impact of a grand cake, a fake cake might be the better option.

Choosing a wedding cake vendor

Wedding cakes are a must-have for your special day. They are not just a dessert, but a centrepiece that reflects the couple's taste and style. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding cake vendor for your big day:

• Start planning early: It is recommended to start planning your wedding cake at least one to three months in advance to secure your chosen vendor and allow ample time for design discussions.
• Determine your cake preferences: Consider the style and theme of your wedding, as well as your preferred cake design, flavour, and any dietary restrictions. Do you want a traditional tiered cake or something more unique, like a macaron tower? Would you like a simple, elegant design or a colourful, eye-catching creation? Do you need a cake that accommodates specific dietary needs, such as halal, vegan, or gluten-free options?
• Research vendors: Look for reputable wedding cake vendors in Singapore by reading reviews, checking out their websites, and browsing their portfolios. Some popular options include Honeypeachsg Bakery, Bloomsbury Bakers, Cake Avenue, The Butter Studio, Crème Maison, Little House of Dreams, and Edith Patisserie.
• Consider customisation options: Many vendors offer customisation services to create a cake that perfectly matches your vision. Discuss your ideas with the vendor and provide references or a mood board to help them understand your desired theme and design elements.
• Taste test: Schedule a cake tasting to sample different flavours and decide on the perfect taste for your wedding cake. This is also a great opportunity to discuss any specific dietary requirements you or your guests may have.
• Delivery and setup: Confirm with the vendor about delivery and setup logistics. Ensure they can deliver the cake to your wedding venue and set it up according to your desired timeline.
• Book your vendor: Once you've found the right vendor and finalised the details, book them for your wedding date to secure their services.

Remember, your wedding cake is a special part of your celebration, so take the time to choose a vendor that understands your vision and can create a delicious and stunning cake that you and your guests will enjoy.

Wedding cake designs

Blush Artisan Wedding and Birthday Cakes

This Muslim-owned brand has been creating beautifully decorated wedding cakes since 2017. They offer cakes with added macaron and brownie treats, and their designs range from rustic classics to over-the-top creations covered in fondant and cream.

Bob the Baker Boy

A homegrown brand for bespoke dessert creations. They offer low-sugar, diabetic-friendly flavour options and a huge portfolio of designs to customise a cake to your exact taste.

Creme Maison

For fans of bright and colourful cakes, Creme Maison offers fun themes with matching decorations that create an eye-catching centrepiece for your wedding. Their confections look like they've been plucked right out of a fairy tale.

The Delights Heaven

The Delights Heaven offers towering multi-tiered cakes that are perfect for large weddings. Their five-tier cake, standing at over 1.2m tall, is a true maximalist experience.

Edith Patisserie

Edith Patisserie specialises in rustic, intimate garden wedding cakes. Their designs include two-tier cakes decorated with flowers, herbs, baby's breath, ombre frosting, berries, and thyme. They also offer fully customised cakes.

Pulse Patisserie

Inspired by 90s trip-hop music, Pulse Patisserie creates emotional desserts with a focus on taste and aesthetics. They offer classic tiered cakes with flowers and intricate piped patterns, as well as unique combinations like a cake and croquembouche fusion.

Winifred Kristé Cake

Winifred Kristé Cake handcrafts breathtaking sugar flowers. Their cakes have a soft, feminine air that would be perfect for an elegant garden wedding.

Mad About Sucre

This European-style confectionary shop creates modern, French-inspired tiered cakes made from organic flour and natural ingredients. Their single-layer cakes are perfect for intimate gatherings, and they also offer wedding favours and dessert tables.

Crummb Cakes

Crummb Cakes specialises in minimalist, crisp, and elegantly simple wedding cakes. Their designs are also breathtakingly detailed, with a passion for perfection.

Susucre

Susucre offers wedding cakes that are simple yet whimsical, with a fun twist. They produce a wide variety of designs, from delicately simple to tiered explosions of colour. They also create 3D cakes sculpted to look like cars, cups of coffee, and Disney characters.

Butter Studio

Butter Studio offers classic tiered wedding cakes topped with flowers and even adorned with edible gold flakes. Their cakes are sure to be a show-stopper, both visually and in taste.

Cupplets

Cupplets adds a unique and rustic touch to classic wedding cakes. Their designs include marbled buttercream, hand-painted cakes dusted in gold flakes, and flowers pressed directly onto the sides.

The Pine Garden

With over three decades of baking experience, The Pine Garden can create simple or extravagant wedding cakes, from a simple two-tier confection to a 10-tier show-stopper. Their cakes can be topped with flowers, fresh fruit, or a rustic touch of buttercream.

Bloomsbury Bakers

Bloomsbury Bakers offers unique cake flavour profiles, such as orh nee, pulut hitam, and ondeh ondeh. They also provide preset wedding options to make the cake ordering process fuss-free.

Yume Patisserie

Yume Patisserie offers customised wedding cakes with handmade edible flowers, specially designed by their chefs. Their portfolio includes the Rose Garden Wedding Cake, Rustic Garden Wedding Cake, Blue Marble Wedding Cake, and more.

Wedding cake costs

Simple Wedding Cakes

Simple one-tier cakes can start from as low as $100, offering a more affordable option for couples on a budget. These cakes may have basic decorations and a standard round shape.

Elaborate Wedding Cakes

For couples seeking a more extravagant option, three-tier cakes can range from $600 to $1,000. The cost increases with the number of tiers and the level of intricacy in the design. For instance, additional charges may apply for metallic fondant, 3D sculptures, sugar flowers, and cartoon figurines.

Popular Wedding Cake Bakeries in Singapore

• Winifred Kristé Cake: Specialises in sugar flowers, wafer paper, hand-painted designs, and edible works of art. Single-tier cakes start from $350.
• My Sister Bakes: Specialises in buttercream cakes with unique flavours like Earl Grey and Vanilla Nutella. Prices start from $118 for a single-tier cake.
• The Pine Garden: Located in Ang Mo Kio, this bakery has been serving the community for over 30 years. Prices for a two-tier cake start from $350.
• Edith Patisserie: Founded by Shaun and Ethel, who met at culinary school, this bakery offers bespoke wedding cakes customised to your flavour and design preferences.
• The Butter Studio: Known for their rustic naked cakes with hand-baked layers and custom decorations. They also offer tasty cupcakes as gifts for your guests.
• Riz Delights: Provides a wide range of halal wedding cakes and desserts, including fondant or fresh cream cakes. They are a Muslim-owned company that prioritises halal ingredients.
• Bake Babe Bakery: Uses halal-certified ingredients and offers customised cakes of up to five tiers. They also provide an array of pastries such as mini tarts, brownies, cookies, and muffins.
• Cupplets: Passionate about creating perfectly customised cakes, including the type of covering, icing, and floral decorations. They offer a variety of styles and desserts to choose from.
• Susucre: Masters of design and baking, using only top-quality ingredients. They use Swiss fondant with a hint of vanilla and a soft texture. Their unique flavours include caramelised milk and pumpkin spiced latte.
• Spatula Bakery: Caters to diverse preferences with their array of wedding cake creations, including buttercream cakes, fondant cakes, open stack cakes, and ombré cupcake towers.
• Crème Maison Bakery: Specialises in hand-piped buttercream flower bouquets with pastel colour combinations and handcrafted ombré cakes. Each cake is uniquely designed, ensuring that no two cakes are the same.

When choosing a wedding cake in Singapore, couples have a variety of options to suit their budget and preferences. Whether you opt for a simple one-tier cake or a grand three-tier creation, the cake is sure to be a memorable part of your special day.

Frequently asked questions