The Art Of Wedding Cakes: Tiers And Designs

Wedding cakes are an essential part of almost every wedding celebration. While traditional tiered cakes remain popular, the layout, flavour, and presentation of the cake have evolved as the wedding industry modernises and incorporates more diverse tastes and dietary needs.

The first decision you have to make is whether to go for something traditional or modern. Traditional cakes are typically round or square with multiple tiers and cream or white fondant icing. Modern cakes, on the other hand, offer a wide range of contemporary shapes, sizes, and styles, as well as unusual flavours.

The options are endless and there is no right or wrong answer. You can choose from a variety of shapes, including round, oval, square, sheet cakes, rectangular, hexagon, mixed shapes, petal, staircase, and sculptural. The size of the cake can vary from mini cakes to multi-tiered creations, depending on the number of guests.

When it comes to style, you can opt for a classic white cake or explore more unique options such as modern neon cakes, naked cakes, drip cakes, or hand-finished cakes with elaborate decorations.

No matter what you choose, the wedding cake is a fun and versatile element of your special day that can be personalised to reflect your style and personality.

Cake toppers

Nowadays, cake toppers can be humorous or represent the couple's hobbies or occupations. For example, the cake topper could be shaped like something significant to the couple, such as a hobby item or a sports team symbol. In Mexico, the cake topper and other decorations tell a story about the couple's history.

If you opt for a cake topper, it's a good idea to show it to your baker in advance. Some toppers are easy to slip into the top of the cake, while others are heavy and require supports within the cake to prevent them from falling or tipping over.

Cake fillings

Wedding cakes can be filled with a variety of different flavours, from fruity preserves to rich buttercreams.

If you're serving more than 100 guests, it's recommended to have three different flavours of cake: one vanilla/plain, one chocolate, and one seasonal (such as fruit or spice).

• Lemon cake with raspberry preserves and vanilla buttercream
• Vanilla cake with homemade lemon curd
• Chocolate cake with salted caramel filling
• Lemon cake with blueberry filling
• Vanilla cake with strawberries
• Lemon cake with lemon curd and vanilla swiss meringue frosting
• Almond cake with apricot filling
• Red velvet cake with vanilla or cream cheese filling
• White cake with raspberry
• Lemon cake with raspberry filling
• Chocolate cake with peanut butter filling
• Salted caramel cake with chocolate
• Cookies and cream cake
• Peanut butter cake with chocolate or stout
• Cappuccino cake
• Lavender (or other floral) cake with lightly flavoured cakes
• Strawberry cake with lemon buttercream and lemon curd
• White almond cake with cappuccino buttercream and salted caramel buttercream
• Spice cake with cream cheese filling and pumpkin buttercream
• Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and peanut butter buttercream
• Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream and cookies and cream buttercream
• Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and raspberry preserves filling
• Strawberry cake with champagne cake
• Carrot cake
• Funfetti cake
• Chai cake

Some traditional wedding cakes, such as those in the UK and Australia, are fruitcakes, which are elaborately decorated with icing and may be filled with almond paste. In the US, the traditional wedding cake was a fruitcake until the middle of the 20th century.

Cake decorations

Wedding cakes can be decorated in a variety of ways, with the possibilities (and costs) ranging from intricate handmade sugar flowers to fresh fruit or fondant details. The cake decorations are often chosen to match the wedding's colour scheme, season, and theme.

Flowers are a popular choice for wedding cake decorations. Fresh flowers can be provided by the wedding florist, while sugar flowers can be handmade by the baker. In the Philippines, it is typical for wedding cakes to be topped with fresh flowers.

Fruit is also used to decorate wedding cakes. Dried fruits, such as crushed pistachios and dried fruits, can be used to cover the cake, while seasonal blooms and berries can be used to add colour.

Naked cakes with little-to-no icing are another option for wedding cake decorations. This style can be used to create a rustic aesthetic, especially when combined with flowers and greenery.

Other decorations for wedding cakes include cake toppers, which can be humorous or represent the couple's shared hobby or occupation. Cake toppers can be purchased or handmade, and they are typically placed on the cake by the baker upon delivery.

Overall, the decorations chosen for a wedding cake should reflect the personalities of the couple and complement the other decorative elements of the wedding.

Cake cutting

The cutting of the cake is a symbolic task that is steeped in tradition and is an important part of the wedding reception. The newlyweds traditionally cut the first slice of the wedding cake together. This is a sweet moment that guests will enjoy watching and is also a memorable photo opportunity.

The cake-cutting usually takes place shortly after dinner and before the dancing begins. It is an unofficial sign that the big moments of the reception are over, and some guests may start to leave. It is best to cut the cake early on in the evening to avoid having leftover slices. The caterers can cut the rest of the cake while guests are eating dinner, so it is ready to be served as soon as the meal is over.

The couple places both their hands on the knife and cuts about an inch into the cake, slicing down cleanly. They then make a connecting cut to form a wedge, using the knife to lift the piece onto a plate. This is called the 'box' or 'wedge' method.

In some cultures, the cake-cutting ceremony has added significance. For example, in China, the couple starts cutting a multi-tier cake from the lowest level and gives the first pieces to their parents and ancestors, to honour their place as the foundation of the family.

The cake-cutting is usually accompanied by a special song, and the couple may choose to purchase a keepsake cake-cutting set for the occasion.

Cake alternatives

While a wedding cake is a traditional choice, it is not the only option. Here are some alternative ideas for your wedding dessert:

• Cupcakes: These can be displayed on a stand, perhaps with a small cake at the top for the cake-cutting ceremony. You could even have a cupcake decorated to look like a miniature wedding cake.
• Macarons: These colourful French pastries can be displayed in a custom stand and arranged in an ombré pattern. You could choose different colour combinations to match your wedding theme.
• Doughnuts: Why not create a doughnut wall or a tiered doughnut display? You could even have a variety of frosted doughnuts stacked to look like a traditional tiered cake.
• Ice cream: Serve ice cream sandwiches or hire an ice cream truck to come to your wedding. Alternatively, you could have an ice cream sundae bar with a variety of toppings.
• Cheese: Forgo the sweet options altogether and opt for a cake made from stacked wheels of cheese, or a charcuterie board.
• Pie: Serve a wedding pie, or a variety of mini pies in different flavours.
• Cookies: Stack Oreo cookies into a tower, or create a display of your favourite cookies.
• Other dessert options: Serve up your go-to treat, whether that's brownies, Rice Krispie treats, cake pops, or something else entirely.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless. Get creative and choose a dessert that reflects your personality and tastes. Your guests will appreciate your unique twist on this wedding tradition.

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