Wedding Cakes: Essential Elements For The Perfect Cake

Wedding cakes are the centrepiece of any wedding reception, and they come in all shapes, sizes, colours and flavours. Whether you're looking for a traditional tiered cake or something more unique, there are endless options to choose from.

Wedding cakes have been a part of wedding traditions for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome, where the groom concluded the ceremony by breaking a loaf of barley bread over the bride's head to symbolise fertility. Nowadays, wedding cakes are often decorated with buttercream, flowers, fruits or painted designs, and can be customised to reflect the couple's style or theme of the wedding.

Some popular and widely-loved wedding cake flavours include vanilla, lemon, and chocolate, but unique flavours such as lavender, chai, matcha, and citrus are also becoming more popular.

When it comes to design, there are endless possibilities. From boho-chic to modern geometric, vintage-inspired to abstract art, the only limit is your imagination. Wedding cakes can be adorned with fresh or sugar flowers, gold leaf, personalised monograms, or even pressed flowers for a whimsical touch.

Whether you're looking for a simple and elegant cake or a show-stopping masterpiece, working with a skilled baker will ensure your wedding cake is both delicious and beautiful.

Wedding Cake Flavours: From classic vanilla, lemon and chocolate to unique lavender, chai and matcha

Wedding cakes are often regarded as a centrepiece of wedding day traditions. Couples usually want an elaborate showpiece with several tiers, while others prefer a sleek and simpler look. Either way, they need a baker or bakery that can bring their vision to life.

Classic Wedding Cake Flavours

Vanilla, lemon, and chocolate are classic wedding cake flavours that are popular for a reason—most people love them, and they'll always be timeless.

Unique Wedding Cake Flavours

For couples who want to switch things up and show off their unique taste, unique flavours like lavender, chai, matcha, citrus, and more are also becoming popular.

Wedding Cake Trends for 2025

According to cake pro Jaime Melfi from Autumn Nomad, unique flavours like London Fog, Chocolate Blackberry Espresso, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Lemon & Wild Maine Blueberry, and Champagne Raspberry will be trending in 2025.

Wedding Cake Toppers: From fresh flowers to personalised messages and cake toppers

Wedding cakes are often regarded as a centrepiece of wedding day traditions. While some couples opt for an elaborate showpiece with several tiers, others prefer a sleek and simpler look.

Fresh Flowers

A popular way to decorate a wedding cake is with fresh flowers. This could be a simple cake with a few sprigs of sweet pea and a single ranunculus bloom, or a cake with every type of flower used in the reception décor, including peonies, ranunculus, roses, alliums, sweet peas and more.

Personalised Messages

Couples may also choose to have a personalised message written on their wedding cake. This could be a favourite lyric, a line from your vows or a poem, or even a custom illustration.

Cake Toppers

Cake toppers are a fun way to add a unique touch to your wedding cake. You could go for something personalised, or opt for a vintage-style topper or a fun topper in the shape of a Polaroid picture.

Wedding Cake Shapes: From traditional round tiers to hexagonal and rectangular cakes

Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes, and the options are endless when it comes to choosing the perfect one for your big day. While some couples opt for traditional round tiers, others are embracing hexagonal and rectangular cakes for a unique twist. Here are some ideas to inspire your wedding cake vision:

Traditional Round Tiers:

Round cakes are the classic choice for wedding celebrations and can be tailored to fit any style or theme. They offer a timeless and elegant look, providing a blank canvas for decorations and personal touches. You can stick to simple white frosting or get creative with colours, textures, and embellishments.

Hexagonal Cakes:

Hexagonal cakes offer a unique and modern twist on the traditional round cake. This shape can create a stunning geometric focal point for your dessert table. You can play with different tier heights and angles to add visual interest. Hexagonal cakes are a great choice if you want to move away from the conventional while still maintaining a sense of balance and symmetry.

Rectangular Cakes:

Rectangular cakes, also known as "sheet cakes," offer a more casual and contemporary option. They are perfect for weddings with a relaxed or rustic vibe. Rectangular cakes often allow for larger servings and can be easily cut into uniform slices. This shape also provides a great canvas for intricate designs, such as painted landscapes or geometric patterns.

Tiered Cakes:

Whether you choose round, hexagonal, or rectangular tiers, adding multiple tiers to your wedding cake creates a sense of grandeur and drama. Tiered cakes can accommodate larger guest lists and make a stunning visual impact. You can play with different shapes and sizes for each tier, creating an asymmetrical or cascading effect.

Personal Touches:

No matter the shape you choose, don't be afraid to infuse your wedding cake with personal touches. This could include monogrammed initials, fresh flowers that match your bouquet, or unique toppings that reflect your theme. You can even incorporate your cake into your venue's decor by using similar colours or design elements.

Flavourful Options:

While the exterior design is important, don't forget about the flavours that will delight your guests' taste buds! Classic options like vanilla, lemon, and chocolate are always crowd-pleasers. However, if you want to surprise your guests, consider unique flavour combinations like lavender, chai, matcha, or citrus.

Wedding Cake Sizes: From single-tier cakes to towering seven-tier cakes

Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes, from towering seven-tier cakes to single-tier creations. The number of tiers you choose will depend on the number of guests you are inviting and the overall aesthetic you are aiming for.

Single-tier cakes

Single-tier cakes are a great option for smaller, more intimate weddings. They can be just as beautiful and impactful as a multi-tier cake, with intricate details and decorations. A single-tier cake can also be a good choice if you are planning to serve multiple desserts or if you want to include a groom's cake.

Two-tier cakes

A two-tier cake is a popular choice for weddings, offering a balance between simplicity and grandeur. It can be a good option if you have a smaller guest list or if you want to have a more understated cake.

Three-tier cakes

Three-tier cakes are a classic choice for weddings, offering a good balance of height and width. They can accommodate a larger number of guests and provide a stunning visual focal point for your reception.

Four-tier cakes

Four-tier cakes are a step up in terms of size and impact. They are a good option if you have a larger guest list or if you want your cake to be a real show-stopper.

Five-tier cakes

Five-tier cakes are definitely a statement piece and can accommodate a very large number of guests. They can be a good choice if you want your cake to be the centrepiece of your reception.

Six-tier cakes

Six-tier cakes are a less common choice but can be a stunning option for a large wedding. They offer a lot of height and visual impact and can be a good way to incorporate multiple flavours and designs.

Seven-tier cakes

Seven-tier cakes are the ultimate show-stoppers and are perfect for a grand wedding. They will definitely be a talking point for your guests and can accommodate a very large number of servings.

No matter what size or style you choose, your wedding cake should reflect your personal taste and complement the overall theme and aesthetic of your wedding. Whether you prefer a simple, elegant design or a more elaborate, decorative cake, there are endless possibilities to make your wedding cake unique and memorable.

Wedding Cake Colours: From classic white cakes to colourful rainbow cakes

Wedding cakes have come a long way since ancient Rome, where the groom concluded the ceremony by breaking a loaf of barley bread over the bride's head to symbolise fertility. Nowadays, wedding cakes are a sweet ending to a celebration, with endless customisation options.

Classic White Cakes

White wedding cakes are timeless and elegant, and can be decorated in a variety of ways. A minimalist, all-white cake with textured tiers and baby's breath flowers is a simple yet beautiful option. For a more intricate design, consider a white cake with ornate piping, sugar flowers, or fresh flowers that match the wedding's floral palette.

Colourful Rainbow Cakes

For couples who want to add a pop of colour to their wedding cake, rainbow cakes are a fun and unique option. Rainbow cakes can be as subtle as a pastel ombre effect or as bold as a bright, multi-coloured masterpiece. One idea is to have a white cake with colourful rainbow florals cascading down the tiers. Another option is to incorporate a geode design, with vibrant rainbow layers peeking out from the white frosting.

Choosing Your Cake

When choosing a wedding cake, it's important to consider your budget, guest count, and dietary restrictions. Supermarket wedding cakes are a more affordable option, with prices starting from £45, while a bespoke cake typically costs at least £350. The cake's design, size, and flavour will impact the cost, with intricate details and specialty flavours adding to the price.

It's also essential to book your cake baker in advance, especially if you're planning a wedding during peak season. Be sure to ask about their delivery and setup processes, as well as how long the cake will stay fresh.

Frequently asked questions