The Making Of A Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes are a special type of confectionery that serves as the pièce de résistance of a wedding reception. The process of making a wedding cake involves significant planning and effort, including the need for specific tools and decorations. While a traditional wedding cake features thick fondant and multiple layers, modern variations include naked cakes and uniquely-shaped confections. Bakers often craft tiers with different combinations of cake and filling to cater to diverse tastes. The cost of a wedding cake can be a burden for brides on a budget, but making one's own cake is a feasible option with careful planning and management of expectations. Ordering a wedding cake at least six months in advance is recommended to secure the desired baker and allow for magic in the form of a delicious and visually appealing creation.

Choosing a cake type: traditional, naked, uniquely-shaped, or fondant-covered

Choosing a wedding cake is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is often the centrepiece of a wedding and a longstanding tradition dating back to Roman and Medieval times.

There are many types of wedding cakes to choose from, each with its own unique style and appeal. Here are some popular options to consider:

Traditional Wedding Cake

A traditional wedding cake is typically a multi-layered, white cake with thick fondant. It is a classic choice that symbolizes purity and is often referred to as the "bride's cake". While white is the most common colour, modern variations include marbled fondant or colourful accents.

Naked Cake

A naked cake is a more modern option that has gained popularity in recent years. It features minimal or no frosting, exposing the cake layers beneath. This style is perfect for couples who want a simple and rustic look, often decorated with fresh flowers or greenery.

Uniquely-Shaped Cake

For couples who want to break away from tradition, a uniquely-shaped cake is a creative option. These cakes can be designed in various shapes, such as heart-shaped or hexagonal, adding a touch of whimsy to the wedding. They can also incorporate unusual design elements, such as fondant ruffles or gold leaf accents.

Fondant-Covered Cake

Fondant-covered cakes offer a smooth and elegant finish. The fondant can be used as a blank canvas for decorations, such as sugar flowers, gold edge painting, or even an edible ink phrase. This type of cake is versatile and can be tailored to match any wedding theme or colour scheme.

When choosing a cake type, consider the overall style and theme of the wedding, as well as the couple's personal preferences. The cake should reflect the personalities of the couple and be a delicious and memorable part of their special day.

Selecting a flavour: traditional fruit, red velvet, chocolate, or lemon, for example

Selecting a flavour for your wedding cake is a fun part of the planning process, and there are so many options to choose from. Traditional fruit cake is a classic choice, and it's a great option if you want to keep a tier to enjoy on your first wedding anniversary. Fruit cake is also practical, as it's known for its longevity.

Red velvet cake is another popular choice, with its distinctive red hue and cream cheese or ermine icing. This flavour has a long history, dating back to the 19th century, and it's a favourite in the Southern United States. If you're looking for something a little different, why not try a lemon cake? Lemon velvet cake is a modern take on the traditional red velvet, with a light, airy texture and a tangy lemon buttercream frosting.

Chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser, but if you want something more unique, you could try a marble cake, which combines chocolate and vanilla batters. Or, for a summery twist, a strawberry shortcake wedding cake made with fresh strawberries and mascarpone cream is sure to impress.

For a truly unique flavour combination, a white-chocolate pistachio cake is a modern and elegant choice. The airy layers of pistachio sponge cake and white-chocolate mousse will delight your guests.

Remember, it's your special day, so choose a flavour that you and your partner love!

Picking a filling: peanut butter, salted caramel, or peach preserves

When it comes to picking a filling, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a flavour that complements the cake layers and doesn't overpower them. You'll also want to consider the texture of the filling – something that's too runny might make the cake difficult to cut and serve, while a filling that's too thick could make the cake dry. Here are some options to consider:

Peanut Butter

If you're a peanut butter lover, this could be a great choice for your wedding cake filling. Just make sure to use a creamy, unsweetened variety so that it's not too sweet. You can also adjust the amount of sugar in the cake batter to balance the sweetness. Peanut butter is quite a dense filling, so it will add a nice heft to the cake without making it dry. It pairs well with chocolate, so you could add some chocolate chips to the batter or put a chocolate ganache drip on the cake.

Salted Caramel

Salted caramel is a classic flavour that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It's made by cooking sugar and water until it turns a nice amber colour, then slowly whisking in heavy cream, butter, and salt to taste. The process is straightforward, but it requires attention to detail and patience. A caramel drip can be tricky to work with, so it's important to get the consistency right – it should be thick but still pourable. A salted caramel filling would be delicious paired with a chocolate cake or a vanilla cake.

Peach Preserves

For a summery, fruity option, peach preserves are an excellent choice. This filling is best paired with a peach cake, where the preserves are spread on the cake layers along with a light peaches and cream filling. The cake layers can also be brushed with peach juice for extra flavour. This filling is on the softer side, so it's important to pipe a dam of frosting around the edge of each cake layer to keep the filling from leaking out.

Cake decoration: fresh flowers, crystallised flowers, or a cake topper

There are several ways to decorate a wedding cake, including fresh flowers, crystallised flowers, or a cake topper.

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are a beautiful and elegant way to decorate a wedding cake. They add a special touch to the occasion and can be matched to the bridal bouquet for a cohesive look. When choosing flowers, opt for those that are in season and organic, or untreated with pesticides. It is important to avoid toxic flowers and wrap the stems with floral tape to prevent any fluids from leaching into the cake. Fresh flowers should be added to the cake on the same day of the event to ensure they do not wilt.

Crystallised Flowers

For a unique and sparkling effect, crystallised flowers can be used to decorate a wedding cake. This technique involves sugaring flowers, giving them a glittering appearance. Popular choices include pansies, roses, lavender, cornflowers, and violets. It is important to ensure the edibility of each flower variety and acquire them from a reputable supplier if guests will be consuming them. Due to its height, a crystallised flower cake should be assembled at the reception site to prevent tipping during transit.

Cake Topper

A cake topper is a traditional way to decorate a wedding cake, often placed on the top tier. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as silk flowers, artificial flowers, or a dish made of barley candy. For a unique touch, the topper can be personalised to represent the couple's interests or theme of the wedding.

Whether you choose fresh flowers, crystallised flowers, or a cake topper, these decorations will undoubtedly enhance the beauty and elegance of your wedding cake.

Timing: when to cut the cake during the reception

There are various traditions and beliefs regarding the timing of the cake-cutting ceremony during a wedding reception. Here is a detailed overview to help you plan this special moment:

Traditional Timing

Traditionally, the cake-cutting ceremony is considered the last formal moment of the wedding reception and usually takes place after the speeches and dinner. This stems from the belief that cutting the cake signifies the end of the celebration and indicates that guests are free to leave. Therefore, many older guests may interpret the cutting of the cake as a signal that they can depart.

Modern Timing

In modern times, couples have more flexibility regarding the timing of the cake-cutting ceremony. One practical option is to cut the cake before dinner. This allows the cake to be served as dessert, ensuring that all guests receive a piece. Additionally, by cutting the cake earlier, you can capture beautiful photographs with your guests and the wedding venue as the backdrop. Cutting the cake before dinner also means that guests can proceed to the dance floor immediately after their meal.

Factors to Consider

When deciding on the timing, it is essential to consider the flow of your wedding reception and the overall experience for your guests. If you have a lengthy reception or after-party, you may want to cut the cake earlier to free up time for other activities or to ensure that key moments, such as the cake-cutting ceremony, are captured by your photographer or videographer.

Announcing the Cake-Cutting Ceremony

Regardless of the timing you choose, it is a good idea to have the emcee or DJ announce the cake-cutting ceremony. This allows guests to be aware of the upcoming event and gives them time to gather and settle down. You may also want to attach a timeframe to the announcement to set expectations.

Frequently asked questions