Creating A Simple, Elegant Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding cake is often the focal point of a reception, so it's important to choose a style that suits the occasion. If you're planning a small, understated or intimate wedding, a simple elegant cake could be the perfect choice. Simple wedding cakes can be minimalist, rustic, or classic, and can be made more special with creative decorations. They can also be more cost-effective than larger, more intricate cakes.

Naked cakes with fresh flowers

Naked cakes are a popular choice for weddings, especially for those with a rustic or industrial theme. They are also a good option for couples who want to cut down on the sweetness of their cake or their overall cake costs.

To make a naked cake with fresh flowers, you will need:

• Cake layers (typically vanilla or chocolate)
• Buttercream or ganache filling
• Fresh flowers of your choice (such as roses, peonies, or succulents)
• Optional: berries, citrus fruits, or other decorations

Baking the Cake:

Start by baking your cake layers. This could be a simple vanilla cake or a chocolate cake, depending on your preference. You can bake the cake layers ahead of time and store them wrapped in plastic until you are ready to assemble the cake.

Preparing the Filling:

Make a buttercream frosting or ganache to use as the filling between the cake layers. A classic buttercream recipe includes pasteurized egg whites, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and softened butter. You can also add food coloring to create a subtle tint if desired.

Assembling the Cake:

Spread a thin layer of buttercream or ganache on top of each cake layer. Use an offset spatula to keep the buttercream level and smooth. Repeat this process for all the layers, adding a generous amount of filling between them to make up for the lack of frosting on the outside of the cake.

Decorating with Fresh Flowers:

Fresh flowers add a romantic and elegant touch to your naked wedding cake. Choose flowers that complement your wedding color palette and theme. Wrap the stems of the flowers in plastic wrap to prevent any contamination and insert them into straws or small vases before placing them into the cake. You can also add some greenery or other decorations like berries or citrus fruits to enhance the design.

Packaging and Delivery:

Place the finished cake in a box with a flap that can be easily opened and closed. Transport the cake to the wedding venue, and then add the fresh flowers to the cake once you arrive.

A naked cake with fresh flowers is a beautiful and elegant choice for a wedding, and with careful preparation, it can be a stunning centerpiece for your special day.

Cupcakes as an alternative to a full-sized cake

Cupcakes are a popular and stylish alternative to a full-sized wedding cake. They offer versatility in flavours, designs, and presentations, making them an excellent choice for weddings. Here are some creative ideas for using cupcakes at your wedding:

Monogram cupcakes

Top cupcakes with edible monograms featuring the couple's initials. This personal touch adds a customised element to the dessert table.

Cupcake tower with a topper

Arrange cupcakes in a tower and top with a small cake as the centrepiece. This provides a traditional cake-cutting moment while still embracing cupcakes.

Edible flower cupcakes

Top cupcakes with edible flowers like pansies, violets, or candied roses. This is a lovely option for a garden or spring wedding.

Cupcake wedding cakes

Cupcake wedding cakes are a creative and cost-effective alternative to a full-sized cake. You can arrange cupcakes in the shape of a traditional tiered cake and even top it with a small cake for the couple to cut.

Simple and understated weddings

If your wedding is informal, understated, or intimate, a small simple cake could be the perfect choice for you. Cupcakes are a great option for this type of wedding, as they are easy to serve and can be decorated in a variety of elegant and stylish ways.

Cake toppers

A cake topper is one of the easiest ways to give a simple wedding cake an extra special touch. Here are some ideas for elegant cake toppers:

Figurines

You could opt for a traditional bride and groom figurine, but with a twist. For example, Wedding Collectibles offers playful and funny figurines, such as the "Funny Sexy" topper with the bride jumping onto the groom, or the "Tender Touch" topper with the couple sneaking a pinch of each other's bottoms.

Alternatively, you could go for a more personalised approach with porcelain figurines that resemble the happy couple. Weddingstar offers customisable figurines that can be painted to match hair colour and skin tone.

Flowers

Fresh flowers are a great way to add a pop of colour to a simple cake. You could choose blooms that complement the season, such as pale pink flowers for spring and summer, or dark purple flowers for fall and winter.

Gold Accents

Gold foil details or a gold cake topper can add a touch of elegance to a simple wedding cake. You could also choose a cake stand with gold accents, such as a chic marble stand with a gold half-circle bottom.

Cake Topper with a Message

A simple "Just Married" cake topper with gold accents is a great way to add a touch of glamour to a single-tier cake.

Succulents

Show off your green thumb with a cake topped with succulents and textured icing.

Customised Toppers

You can also find unique and personalised cake toppers on Etsy, such as custom pet cake toppers, or toppers with your names and wedding date.

Drip cakes

Step 1: Choose your cake and icing

The first step is to bake your cake. You can choose any flavour you like, but a simple vanilla or chocolate cake is a good base for a drip cake. Once your cake is baked and cooled, it's time to assemble and ice it. A crumb coat is recommended to ensure a crumb-free final layer. This is a thin layer of icing that covers the entire cake and fills any gaps between the sponges. Chill the cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up the icing.

For the icing, a simple buttercream or cream cheese frosting works well. You can colour the icing if you like, but a classic white or ivory cake is elegant and timeless.

Step 2: Make the drip

The drip is usually made from a chocolate ganache, which is a combination of chocolate and heavy cream. To make the ganache, bring the heavy cream to a boil and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth. You can add a tiny bit of heavy cream if the ganache is too thick, or more chocolate if it's too thin. Let it cool until it reaches the right viscosity—barely warm to the touch. You want it to be pourable but not too runny, so it makes drizzly droplets down the side of the cake.

You can also get creative with the drip and experiment with different colours and flavours. White chocolate ganache can be dyed with gel food colouring to create a coloured drip. Alternatively, you can make a caramel drip or even use candy melts.

Step 3: Add the drip to the cake

Once your ganache is ready, it's time to add it to the cake. You can do this with a spoon or a plastic squeeze bottle. If using a spoon, simply pour a teaspoon of ganache over the edge of the chilled cake, encouraging it to drizzle down the side. With a squeeze bottle, gently squeeze the ganache onto the edges, nudging it over the sides as you go.

Make sure your cake is thoroughly chilled before adding the drip, as this will help the drips stay in place and prevent them from running too far down. It's also a good idea to make a test drip on the side of the cake to ensure you're happy with the consistency and appearance.

Step 4: Decorate

Now it's time to decorate your cake! You can keep it simple with just a few sprigs of greenery or fresh flowers, or go all out with cake toppers, macarons, chocolate-covered strawberries, candy, and more. Get creative and choose decorations that match your wedding theme and colours.

Tips for Success:

• Practice making the drip cake beforehand to perfect your technique.
• Store your finished drip cake in the fridge until you're ready to serve it.
• If using fondant, do not use a coloured drip as it can create a goopy mess.
• Be careful not to overstack your cake with heavy toppings, as it is delicate.
• Blot any condensation from the cake before adding the drip to ensure it flows evenly down the sides.
• Make sure your squeeze bottle has a secure lid to avoid messes.

Gold foil details

Gold Leaf Sheets

Delicate gold leaf sheets can be used to add a luxurious touch to your wedding cake. You can find edible gold leaf sheets online or in specialty baking stores. Cut them into desired shapes or sizes, or crumble them into flakes to decorate your cake. They can be used to cover entire tiers or applied sparingly for a subtle effect.

Gold Foil Flakes

Gold foil flakes add a subtle shimmer and a rustic elegance to your wedding cake. They can be purchased ready-made or created by crumbling gold leaf sheets. Sprinkle them over your cake, mix them into your icing, or use them to decorate individual cake elements like flowers or leaves.

Gold Foil Monogram

For a unique and personalized touch, consider adding a gold foil monogram to your wedding cake. You can cut gold leaf sheets or use gold foil paper to create the initials of the happy couple. This simple yet elegant detail will make your cake stand out and can be a beautiful keepsake to cherish after the wedding.

Gold Foil Drip

For a modern and trendy effect, try a gold foil drip on your wedding cake. Melt gold chocolate or use a gold icing drip to create elegant drips down the sides of your cake. This technique adds a touch of glamour and is perfect for a contemporary wedding.

Gold Foil Cake Stand

Another way to incorporate gold foil into your wedding cake presentation is through the cake stand. Choose a chic marble cake stand with gold foil details or a stand entirely covered in gold foil. This will elevate the overall look of your wedding cake and create a memorable display.

When working with gold foil, remember that a little goes a long way. You can choose to go bold with a fully gilded cake or opt for subtle accents that shine. Whichever way you decide to use gold foil details, it will surely make your simple wedding cake elegant and unforgettable.

Frequently asked questions