Black And White Wedding Cake: A Timeless Classic

A black and white wedding cake is a bold statement piece that adds a touch of sophistication to the wedding. The black and white colour scheme is a natural progression from the groom's tuxedo and the bride's bridal gown, creating a cohesive theme for the special day. While some may opt for a traditional white cake, a black and white cake offers a unique and memorable alternative. Whether it's a simple design with a black ribbon or a more intricate creation with floral patterns and gold details, the contrast of black and white is sure to make a stylish impact.

Using black fondant or buttercream icing

Black Fondant:

Black fondant is a popular choice for black wedding cakes as it offers a sleek and elegant look. It is often flavourless or has hints of vanilla, so you don't have to worry about an unpleasant taste. Fondant is also a good option as it can be easily peeled off before eating, especially if you want to avoid any potential food colouring stains on your guests' mouths.

When working with black fondant, consider the following:

• Use a thick coat of buttercream frosting underneath the fondant to hide imperfections and improve the taste of the cake.
• Black fondant can be used to create intricate details such as floral patterns, geometric designs, or lace appliqués.
• Combine black fondant with gold or white elements for a striking contrast.
• If you want a simple design, use black fondant for a single tier or as a ribbon around the cake, pairing it with white tiers or decorations.

Black Buttercream Icing:

Black buttercream icing can be a bit more challenging due to the large amount of food colouring required, which can affect the taste and potentially stain guests' mouths. However, it can create a beautiful and dramatic effect.

• Use a high-quality frosting with a high butter content to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
• A thick coat of buttercream will help hide imperfections and create a more stable base for any fondant or additional decorations.
• Black buttercream can be used as a base for fresh flowers, gold leaf, or other decorations.
• If you want to avoid the potential staining issue, consider using black buttercream for a single tier or as part of an ombre effect, rather than covering the entire cake in black.

Adding gold foil, white blooms, and greenery

Gold Foil

Gold foil is a versatile way to add a touch of glamour to your wedding cake. It can be used as a delicate accent or a bolder statement, depending on your preference. Consider using gold foil flakes, gold-painted tiers, or a gold drip effect to add a bronzed or metallic finish to your cake. Gold foil pairs especially well with black tiers, making the metallic hue shine through.

White Blooms

White blooms, such as roses, lilies, and anemones, provide a beautiful contrast to a black and white cake. You can choose to use fresh blooms, candied flowers, or intricate petals painted with buttercream or fondant. For an ethereal look, top your cake with white blooms, silvery glitter, and greenery. Another idea is to pair white blooms with gold accents, such as gold-painted leaves or gold-dipped flower centres, for an extra touch of elegance.

Greenery

Greenery adds a natural and rustic touch to your wedding cake. Consider using leaves, vines, ornamental grasses, or sprigs of greenery to create a beautiful contrast against the black and white tiers. For a more subtle approach, you can use small amounts of greenery, such as a single white flower on a large naked cake with gold foil. Alternatively, go bold and opt for cascading floral blooms and greenery for a dramatic effect.

Combining Elements

You can also combine these elements in various ways to create a unique and stylish cake. For instance, pair gold foil with greenery and white blooms for a chic and trendy look. Another idea is to use gold foil, white blooms, and greenery as part of a larger design, such as a marble or watercolour effect, to create a show-stopping cake.

Remember, you can customise your cake to fit your wedding theme and style. Whether you prefer a simple, elegant look or a bold, glamorous statement, adding gold foil, white blooms, and greenery to a black and white wedding cake is a great way to achieve a stunning and memorable design.

Creating a vintage look with black chocolate lace

Choosing the Right Lace Technique

You can create a lace pattern on your wedding cake using a few different methods. One option is to use piping, either by hand or with a floral cutter to emboss the icing before piping. This technique can be time-consuming but creates a delicate and intricate lace design. Another option is to use applique lace, which is cast from a mould and attached to the iced cake. Applique lace is simpler to work with and gives a heavier, more defined look that photographs well.

Adding Vintage Details to the Lace

To create a vintage feel, consider adding some beaded detailing to the lace pattern. A simple strand of edible pearls or sugar beads lining the lace will add a touch of shimmer and glamour to your cake. You could also try using black chocolate lace with a fabric flower for a monochromatic vintage effect.

Combining Black Lace with Other Elements

Black chocolate lace can be combined with other colours and decorations to create a vintage-inspired cake. For example, pair black lace with white blooms and greenery for a bold, modern look. Or, for a more subtle vintage feel, use black lace with a single sleek tier, ribbons, and a vintage brooch.

Using Black Lace on a White Cake

A white wedding cake with black lace is a classic and elegant combination. The contrast of the black lace against the white icing will create a striking and sophisticated effect. You can also add other details, such as fresh white blooms, sugar flowers, or gold accents, to enhance the vintage vibe.

Adding a Touch of Gold

Gold details can be a beautiful addition to a black and white wedding cake with chocolate lace. Consider painting gold details onto the black lace or using gold foil to add a glamorous and elegant touch. Gold embellishments are perfect for Art Deco-themed weddings or any glamorous affair.

By combining black chocolate lace with vintage-inspired details and elegant colour combinations, you can create a stunning and unique black and white wedding cake that will be a show-stopping centrepiece at any wedding celebration.

Using black ribbon and white flowers for a classical look

The Cake

Start with a simple white cake, which can be a single-tier or multiple tiers depending on your preference. If you want to incorporate some texture, consider adding ruffles to the frosting for a unique touch. You can also opt for a smooth buttercream finish, which provides a perfect base for the decorations.

The Ribbon

Adorn the cake with a sleek black ribbon, cut from sugar sheets or fondant. Sugar sheets can provide a crisp, uniform edge and are easier to work with than fondant. Avoid using black food colouring as it can result in a metallic taste. The ribbon can be placed at the bottom of the cake, creating a elegant border.

The Flowers

Decorate the cake with classic white blooms such as roses, peonies, or calla lilies. Fresh flowers add a natural touch, but you can also use sugar flowers for an equally stunning effect. Consider placing a single oversized flower on the cake for a bold statement, or scatter smaller blooms and sprigs of greenery for a more delicate look.

Additional Details

To enhance the classic design, you can incorporate gold accents, such as gold leaf or foil. This adds a touch of glamour and can be used to complement the cake stand or other decor elements. If you wish to include a cake topper, consider a custom design that reflects your personality as a couple.

By combining a simple colour palette with elegant decorations, you can create a timeless black-and-white wedding cake that will be a show-stopping centrepiece at your celebration.

Adding a pop of colour with bright flowers or fruit

Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes. For a black and white cake, opt for bright blooms such as bold pinks, oranges, purples, or white flowers. You could also use sugar flowers, which can be made to look incredibly realistic and won't wilt throughout the day. Sugar flowers can also be painted with buttercream or fondant for a 3D effect.

If you want to incorporate fruit, consider using fresh blackberries, cut figs, or other berries and grapes. These colours complement a black and white cake and add a touch of elegance. You could also use fruit to add a pop of colour. For example, a black and white cake with a colourful base featuring a white tier with a black fondant ribbon and a colourful 80s print is a playful option.

When adding flowers or fruit to a black and white wedding cake, you can also experiment with different textures and finishes. For example, a matte finish creates a chic look, while gloss gives a modern and refined appearance. You could also try a blackboard cake with white patterns, or a black and white striped design.

Frequently asked questions