Wedding Cake Ideas For May: Flavors And Decorations

Wedding cakes are a fun and versatile part of wedding planning. Couples can choose from a variety of designs, flavours, and fillings to create a cake that reflects their personal style and tastes. From simple and elegant cakes to more creative and colourful options, the possibilities are endless. Wedding cakes can be tiered or single-layered, adorned with fresh or sugar flowers, or even incorporate unique elements such as fresh fruit or gold leaves. The design process is a fun task for couples, allowing them to dream up a cake that will be a sweet and indulgent culmination of their special day.

Wedding cake flavours and fillings

• Lemon and blackberry
• Vanilla cake with strawberry jam
• Lemon-flavoured cake with elderflower buttercream
• Meyer lemon cake
• Banana chocolate chip
• Chocolate cherry
• Lemon and lavender honey buttercream
• Red velvet
• Almond
• Matcha
• Hazelnut
• White cake with raspberry cream
• Champagne cake with mixed berry mousse and puree
• Vanilla cake with salted caramel mousse filling
• Coconut
• Chocolate
• Peanut butter chocolate
• Champagne orange and vanilla cake with strawberry filling
• Carrot
• Nutella
• Chocolate almond
• Funfetti
• Chocolate chip
• Banana
• Red velvet
• Almond-flavoured
• Passion fruit crème
• Butter cake

When it comes to fillings, fresh flowers and fruit are popular choices, as well as sugar work, fondant, and buttercream.

Wedding cake decorations

Flowers

Flowers, whether fresh or sugar, are a popular choice for wedding cake decorations. Sugar flowers can be crafted to match a specific type of flower used in the wedding, or to resemble an Impressionist painting. Fresh flowers can be placed directly into the frosting of a cake, or artfully arranged around the cake on the cake table.

Fruit

Fruit can be used as a natural, colourful decoration. Citrus fruits, pomegranates, and blackberries are all options to consider.

Monograms and Initials

Adding the couple's initials or monogram to the cake is a unique way to personalise the dessert. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as painting or sculpting the letters onto the cake, or using edible paper.

Ombré and Watercolours

An ombré or watercolour effect can be achieved by using different shades of icing to create a gradient. This can be done in a variety of colours to match the wedding theme.

Gold Accents

Gold accents can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a wedding cake. This can be in the form of gold leaf, gold dust, or gold-painted details.

Fondant and Buttercream

The choice of fondant or buttercream can also impact the overall look of the cake. Fondant allows for a smoother finish, while buttercream can be textured or combed to create a unique design.

Themed Cakes

For a themed wedding, the cake can be decorated to match the theme. For example, a beach wedding cake might be decorated with fondant seashells and sand dollars, while a boho wedding cake might feature ferns and baby's breath.

Creative Toppers

A cake topper can be a fun way to add personality to the wedding cake. Options include a traditional bride and groom topper, a monogram, or a unique topper that reflects the couple's interests.

Wedding cake styles

Wedding cakes come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Here are some wedding cake styles to consider:

Simple Wedding Cakes

Simple wedding cakes prove that sometimes less is more. A simple design can result in a beautiful cake that is unforgettable. A refined 3-tier wedding cake on a gold stand or a minimal cake with pink flowers are examples of simple yet stunning cakes.

Elegant Wedding Cakes

Elegant wedding cakes are refined, delicate, and sumptuous. An elegant cake might feature pastel details, marble-inspired designs, or delicate sugar flowers. For instance, a 3-tier cake with different shades of pastel icing can create the appearance of a cascade of flowers.

Rustic Wedding Cakes

Rustic wedding cakes are perfect for a country wedding. This style can include naked cakes adorned with ferns, wildflowers, or pressed flowers. A wood cake stand can complete the rustic vibe.

Small Wedding Cakes

Small wedding cakes can make a big impact. A petite cake with whimsical burgundy dahlias or orange roses can be a unique and memorable choice.

Boho Wedding Cakes

Boho wedding cakes are effortless, organic, and free-spirited. They often feature semi-naked cakes with ferns and baby's breath, dried grasses and fresh roses, or gold fan-like leaves. Displaying the cake on a glass pedestal can enhance the boho feel.

Modern Wedding Cakes

Modern wedding cakes push the envelope and challenge tradition. They can be sculptural, minimalist, or incorporate unique elements like modelling chocolate shards or edible paper. A modern cake might also include a monogram or be inspired by the venue's architecture.

These are just a few wedding cake styles to consider. Whether you choose a simple, elegant, or modern design, the possibilities are endless for creating a cake that reflects your style and personality.

Wedding cake colours

Simple and Elegant Cakes

Simple and elegant wedding cakes are a timeless choice, with a minimalist aesthetic that can be stunning. A refined 3-tier wedding cake on a gold stand, or a minimal cake with pink flowers and combed buttercream frosting are beautiful options. For a more unique take on the simple cake, a textured 2-tier cake with peach-hued blooms or a single-tier cake with textured edges can make a statement.

Colourful and Fun Cakes

For couples who want something more colourful and fun, there are many options to bring a pop of colour. A gradient of rainbow blooms, a cheerful teal cake with a cascade of red roses, or an orange cake with gold elephant figurines are all unique and vibrant choices. A blue wedding cake can also be a whimsical choice, especially if it's your "something blue".

Seasonal Cakes

Seasonal cakes are a wonderful way to incorporate the colours and flavours of the season into your wedding. For spring, a hand-painted blue floral cake with sugar cherry blossoms is a lovely choice. In summer, a semi-naked cake with dried citrus slices and a fall wedding could feature a trio of chocolate, French vanilla, and Key Lime cakes. A winter wedding cake might feature a staircase-inspired design with marbled tiers.

Boho and Rustic Cakes

Boho and rustic weddings often call for a more relaxed and organic cake design. A semi-naked cake with ferns and baby's breath, or a cake with pressed flowers and dried grasses are perfect choices for a boho celebration. For a rustic wedding, a naked cake with woodsy ferns or a semi-naked cake with pomegranates and blackberries will fit the theme.

Classic and Luxury Cakes

Classic and luxury cakes are often all about indulgence, with ornate details and traditional colours. A 5-tier white cake with white sugar flowers, a stately 4-tier cake on a silver plateau, or a glamorous white and gold cake with orchids are all luxurious choices. For a classic cake with a twist, a Chinoiserie-inspired blue and white cake with sugar bows is a unique option.

Creative and Modern Cakes

Creative and modern couples might want to push the envelope with their cake design. A sculptural, all-white cake, a modern artistic cake with chocolate shards, or a wave-inspired minimalist cake with textured decorations are all unique choices. A cherry blossom cake with sugar flowers or a colourful retro cake are also fun options.

Gothic and Moody Cakes

For edgy couples, a gothic or moody cake can be a bold statement. A black cake with sugar shards, an emerald green cake with blackberries, or a black and gold Art Deco cake are all unique and dramatic choices.

The possibilities for wedding cake colours and designs are endless, and couples can choose to match their cake to their wedding colours, theme, or venue, or simply pick something that speaks to them.

Wedding cake sizes

When it comes to wedding cakes, there are a few things to consider to determine the size you'll need. Firstly, you should consider your guest list and estimate that around 75-85% of your guests will want a slice of cake. You'll then need to decide if you'd like to have enough cake to feed all guests, have leftovers, and the size of the slice you wish to serve.

Standard wedding cake slices are 1-inch wide, 2-inches long, and 4-inches tall, while a larger party slice is 1.5-inches wide, 2-inches long, and 4-inches tall. Bakers often offer wedding cake tiers that are 4 or 5 inches tall, which will also need to be factored into your calculations.

Round Wedding Cake Sizing

• 6-inch cake: 10-14 servings
• 8-inch cake: 20-28 servings
• 10-inch cake: 38-45 servings
• 12-inch cake: 50-56 servings
• 14-inch cake: 78-86 servings
• 16-inch cake: 100-110 servings

Square Wedding Cake Sizing

• 6-inch cake: 18 servings
• 8-inch cake: 32 servings
• 10-inch cake: 50 servings
• 12-inch cake: 72 servings
• 14-inch cake: 98 servings
• 16-inch cake: 128 servings

If you're having a tiered cake, you can combine different sizes to get the desired number of servings. For example, a three-tiered cake with 10-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch tiers would provide around 74 servings.

Other factors to consider when deciding on the size of your wedding cake include the venue size, the cake's decorations, and whether you'll be serving other desserts.

Frequently asked questions