The Wedding Cake: A Sweet Symbol Of Celebration

The wedding cake is an important part of the wedding reception, often taking centre stage as a carefully planned, elegant, edible showstopper. It has been a part of weddings since ancient Roman times, and while the style and symbolism of the cake have evolved, the tradition has endured. Wedding cakes are a longstanding symbol of luck, fertility, unity, and social status, and cutting the cake is the first activity done as a married couple. The cake is often designed to reflect the couple's personal style, and the couple may choose to save the top tier to eat on their first anniversary.

The wedding cake's history and symbolism

The wedding cake has been a part of the ceremony since ancient Roman times. In ancient Rome, the groom broke bread over the bride's head to symbolise the breaking of her virginal state and his dominance over her. The bread was made from barley and was not eaten by guests. In medieval England, cakes were stacked as high as possible and the newlyweds would kiss over them. If they managed to kiss without knocking the cakes over, it was believed they would have a prosperous life together and many children.

The bride's pie, similar to a mincemeat pie, was served at weddings from the 17th century until the 19th century. It contained a glass ring, and the unmarried woman who found it in her slice would be the next to marry. In the 19th century, the wedding cake as we know it today began to emerge, starting as a single-tiered plum cake.

The colour white is associated with wedding cakes because it symbolises purity and virginity. During the Victorian era, white icing became popular because white sugar was expensive, and so it was a symbol of wealth and social importance. The custom of stacking cakes to show prosperity also emerged during this time.

The cutting of the cake is a significant tradition. The couple cuts the cake together, with the groom's hand placed over the bride's, to symbolise his support and promise to care for her. The couple then feed each other a slice to symbolise their commitment to provide for one another.

Choosing a design that reflects the couple

The wedding cake is an important part of the wedding reception, often taking centre stage and acting as a delicious treat for guests. Many couples work with their bakers to design a cake that reflects their personal style, as well as their wedding style.

When it comes to choosing a design, it's important to remember that the cake should be a unique and beautiful element that expresses the couple's personality. For example, consider incorporating the couple's favourite flavours or colours into the design. If the couple has a favourite childhood candy, the cake could incorporate those flavours. A small note on the menu explaining the choice of flavours can also help guests feel more connected to the couple.

For couples who feel overwhelmed by the endless design options, it's helpful to share your entire wedding inspiration with your baker, from the decor to the dress, colours, and venue. This will allow them to understand your wedding style holistically and guide you on a design that fits the venue and season.

The scale of the cake should also match the scale of the venue. For instance, a grand ballroom reception calls for a larger cake with more tiers, while a smaller, more intimate venue might suit a two or three-tier cake. Fake tiers can also be added to create a larger statement piece without increasing the number of servings.

Finally, consider the season when choosing a design. For outdoor receptions during the summer, a fondant-covered cake is recommended as it can withstand hotter temperatures.

Selecting a flavour

There are no rules when it comes to choosing a flavour, but there are some tips to help guide you. Firstly, if you are having more than one tier, you can absolutely choose more than one flavour. In fact, it is recommended to have a different flavour for each tier, especially if you are having especially deep tiers. You can even have more than one type of sponge in a tier, so that the layers alternate.

Every cake maker will have their own list of flavours. Some will stick to a core menu, while others will have a wider and more adaptable menu that can be tailored to your preferences. It's important to remember that the recipe must be structurally secure, so it needs to be tried and tested by the cake maker.

If you want to please a crowd, it's a good idea to have at least one tier as a classic, crowd-pleasing flavour, probably the biggest tier. You could also have one tier that is vanilla or chocolate-based, and another that has fruit flavours. Be sure to choose something that you like, too. If you want something a bit more unusual, perhaps have this as the top tier (which has the fewest servings) and ask the caterers to put some aside for you and your partner to share later.

Some popular flavours include lemon drizzle (with or without elderflower), chocolate fudge, caramel biscoff, white chocolate and raspberry, cherry bakewell, and Victoria sponge. Chocolate and vanilla are perennial favourites, while red velvet and carrot cake are also popular.

If you want to get creative, you could choose a theme for your cake flavours. For example, a cocktail theme (Mojito, Piña Colada, Gin and Tonic, etc.), traditional flavours from your homeland, or seasonal flavours (baked apple and cinnamon, pumpkin pie spiced cake, rhubarb and ginger, etc.).

Remember to consider the season and wedding theme when choosing your flavours. For example, light and fruity flavours may be more fitting for a summer celebration, while rich, decadent flavours are better suited to a winter wedding.

The tradition of saving the top tier

The wedding cake is an important part of the wedding reception. It is usually the first thing that guests see as they enter the reception hall. The tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, as it was assumed that the first child would be born within the first year of marriage. These cakes were typically dense fruit cakes, full of bourbon and wine, which allowed them to be preserved for long periods.

Over time, wedding cakes became more elaborate and the birth of the first child happened further from the wedding date, so the two events became disassociated. Now, the tradition is to eat the top tier of the wedding cake on the couple's first anniversary for good luck in their marriage. This custom may have started as a way to manifest good luck and prosperity.

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, ask your cake baker for recommended preservation methods for your specific cake. Secondly, be careful about where you cut the cake. Do not cut it in a sawing motion, and only slice pieces from the bottom tier so that the top tier remains untouched. Thirdly, prepare ahead of time by asking your catering staff to take off the top tier of the cake immediately following the cutting ceremony so they can box it and prepare it for transportation. Finally, remove any decorations from the cake before wrapping it in plastic wrap and foil, and store it in the freezer.

While frozen, year-old wedding cake may not taste delicious, it is a charming reminder of a special day and a sweet tradition for many couples.

The cake-cutting ceremony

The History

The tradition of breaking bread (or cake) during weddings dates back to the ancient Romans, who would break barley bread over the bride's head to symbolise the groom's dominance and the bride's virginity. In Medieval England, the couple would kiss over a pile of small sweet buns, which was said to be a prediction of how many children they would have.

The Ceremony

Feeding Each Other

Following the initial cut, the couple will then feed each other a small bite of cake, symbolising their commitment to provide for one another and showing love and affection. This part of the ceremony has, in some cases, evolved into the couple smashing cake into each other's faces.

Serving the Cake

Once the couple has cut the cake and fed each other, the catering staff will take over and bring the cake back to the kitchen to be sliced for the rest of the guests. It is common for the top tier of the cake to be saved, to be eaten on the couple's first anniversary.

A Modern Twist

In recent years, couples have become more creative with their wedding desserts, opting for cupcakes, dessert buffets, or make-your-own-sundae bars. A 'cutting cake' is a small cake that allows the couple to participate in the cake-cutting tradition without having to spend a lot of money on a large cake.

Frequently asked questions