Explore Wedding Cake Colors: Beyond White Traditions

Wedding cakes are traditionally white, but they don't have to be. White was originally used to symbolise the bride's purity, and also to show off the family's wealth, as only the rich could afford white flour and sugar. These days, brides are free to choose any colour they like for their wedding cake, and some people choose to forgo the cake altogether.

Wedding cake colour and flavour options

Wedding cakes don't have to be white, and couples can choose any colour and flavour they like. White is a safe choice, however, as it is a traditional wedding cake colour and can be easily matched to the wedding's colour scheme.

White wedding cakes are usually made with white flour and sugar, and the colour white is often used to symbolise the purity of the bride. In the past, only the wealthy could afford these ingredients, so a white cake was also a symbol of status. White cakes are typically flavoured with almond or vanilla, and some recipes also include a small amount of oil to make the cake moister.

Couples who want a non-traditional wedding cake can choose from a variety of colours and flavours. For example, some people choose to have a chocolate wedding cake, while others opt for a cake with colourful icing, such as purple or pink. When choosing a colourful icing, it's important to consider whether the food colouring will affect the taste of the icing and whether it will stain guests' teeth and lips.

Another option for couples who want a non-traditional cake is to choose a unique flavour, such as strawberry, lemon, butterscotch, or yellow cake. Yellow cake is made with egg yolks and has a rich, golden colour and a moist texture. Couples can also choose to have a cake with multiple flavours or a non-cake dessert instead, such as cookies or cupcakes.

The history of the white wedding cake

The wedding cake, originally known as the "bride's cake", has traditionally been white to symbolise the bride's purity and virginity.

In ancient Rome, marriages were sealed when the groom smashed a barley cake over the bride's head. In medieval England, the bride and groom kissed over a pile of buns, supposedly to ensure a prosperous future.

In the 17th century, two cakes were made for the wedding: one for the bride and one for the groom. The bride's cake was usually a simple pound cake with white icing. White icing was difficult to obtain at the time, as it required refined sugar, so only wealthy families could afford it.

In the 19th century, when sugar became more accessible, the tradition of the white wedding cake became more popular. When Queen Victoria used white icing on her cake, it gained the title of royal icing. The white colour of her cake, dress, and icing all emphasised the theme of purity and virginity.

Today, the wedding cake is often still white, but brides are free to choose any colour and style they wish.

White wedding cake recipes

Wedding cakes don't have to be white, but white is a traditional colour for wedding cakes as it symbolises purity and was originally known as the "Bride's Cake". White cakes also used to be a symbol of wealth as only the rich could afford white flour and sugar.

White Cake Recipe From Scratch

This recipe is light and fluffy, moist and full of flavour. It uses egg whites, milk, butter, flour, baking powder, almond extract, vanilla extract, and sugar. It is baked at 335ºF for 25-35 minutes.

White Almond Wedding Cake

This recipe uses a white cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, water, sour cream, vegetable oil, almond extract, vanilla, and egg whites. It is baked at 325ºF for about 25 minutes.

White Wedding Cake

This recipe uses a white cake mix, flour, Greek yoghurt, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, egg whites, butter, shortening, powdered sugar, milk, and salt. It is baked at 325ºF for 35 minutes.

The meaning of the colour white for weddings

The colour white is steeped in tradition and meaning when it comes to weddings.

White is typically the colour that symbolises purity, and the wedding cake was originally known as the "Bride's Cake". The colour became an overall theme for the bride – a purity of bride, purity of dress, and purity of cake. White weddings gained traction during the Victorian Age, as the refined sugars used to make white icing were not easy to come by, and so having a white cake was a way for families to show off their wealth.

In colour psychology, white is the colour of new beginnings, representing a blank canvas. It is also often associated with light, goodness, innocence, virginity, and perfection. In Western culture, white is the most common colour used to express high religious commitment and purity.

In addition to white, there are other colours that have become popular for weddings, each carrying their own meaning. Blue, for example, has long been one of the most popular wedding shades, symbolising femininity and purity. Oranges, such as papaya, cantaloupe, and mango, have been linked to joy, creativity, success, enthusiasm, and adventure. Green symbolises prosperity and is an idyllic shade to associate with a wedding, representing nature, rebirth, and springtime renewal. Purple is the colour of royalty and is associated with wealth, luxury, power, and ambition.

Alternatives to a white wedding cake

Wedding cakes are traditionally white because the colour symbolises purity, and the cake was originally known as the "Bride's Cake". However, there are many alternatives to a white wedding cake.

Firstly, you could opt for a different colour. For example, a couple on Reddit chose a navy blue and purple ombre cake, while another couple chose a pastel-coloured cake. However, it is worth noting that dark colours may stain guests' teeth and clothes.

Secondly, you could choose a different dessert altogether. One couple chose to have apple crisp with fresh homemade vanilla ice cream, while another couple had a gelato cart at their wedding. Other options include cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, parfait shooters, brownies, donuts, and pie.

Thirdly, you could stick with the cake but choose a different flavour. For example, a couple on Reddit mentioned that they had a semi-naked lemon buttercream cake with blueberry jam. Other options include Funfetti cake, caramelised fruit, and jam fillings.

Finally, you could create a display with multiple dessert options, such as cupcakes, cookies, macarons, and other sweet treats. This way, guests can choose their favourites and you can include a variety of colours, flavours, and textures.

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