Wedding Cake Companions: Delicious Pairings For Your Big Day

Wedding cakes are steeped in tradition, symbolism, and superstition. From the colour of the icing to the number of tiers, each aspect of a wedding cake carries a different meaning.

In this day and age, wedding cakes are often the centrepiece of a wedding reception. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, and are usually designed to reflect the couple's personality and style. However, this hasn't always been the case.

The first wedding cakes are thought to have been made in ancient Greece, and since then, the cakes have evolved from a stack of spiced buns to the grand, tiered cakes we know today.

Flavours and fillings

Wedding cakes are available in a variety of flavours and fillings. The traditional wedding cake in the UK and Australia is a rich fruitcake, but there are now many other options to choose from.

Classic Flavours

Vanilla is a classic choice to please a variety of wedding guests. White cake is currently the most popular wedding cake flavour in the US, but different flavours of filling can be added between layers. Chocolate, carrot, Italian Rum and Italian Cream are also popular choices.

Other Options

Other flavour options include red velvet, lemon, marble, and chocolate chip.

Fillings

Fillings can include buttercream, lemon curd, cream cheese, or jam.

Cultural Variations

In Greece, the traditional flavour combination was honey, sesame seed, and quince. In modern Greece, an almond torte is more common. In the Philippines, the cake may be a vanilla sponge cake, or a purple ube cake. In Korea, the traditional cake was a rice cake topped with a powder made from red beans, but now guests are likely to see a sponge cake and fresh fruit.

Cake toppers

Wedding cake toppers are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. There are many different styles of cake toppers available, ranging from traditional to modern, funny to romantic, and rustic to glamorous. Here are some ideas to consider:

Traditional Cake Toppers:

These usually feature a bride and groom, often in the form of figurines. They can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, porcelain, and acrylic. Some traditional cake toppers also include cultural elements, such as traditional Asian or Indian wedding attire.

Funny Cake Toppers:

If you want to add a touch of humour to your wedding cake, consider a funny cake topper. These can feature light-hearted phrases, comical figurines, or even a playful take on the traditional bride and groom.

Romantic Cake Toppers:

For a more sentimental approach, romantic cake toppers are a perfect choice. These often feature loving phrases, silhouettes of couples, or intricate floral and crystal designs. You can also find romantic cake toppers that incorporate your pets, making it a truly personalised decoration.

Rustic Cake Toppers:

Rustic wedding themes are popular, and cake toppers can complement this style beautifully. Rustic cake toppers often feature natural materials such as wood, with simple designs and neutral colours. They can also be personalised with your initials or wedding date.

Monogram Cake Toppers:

A monogram cake topper is a great way to add a modern and elegant touch. These toppers typically feature the couple's initials or names, and can be made from a variety of materials including acrylic, wood, or metal.

Acrylic Cake Toppers:

Acrylic cake toppers are a popular choice due to their versatility and unique aesthetic. They can be easily customised with etched details such as names, wedding dates, or other personal messages. Acrylic toppers are also lightweight and durable, making them a practical choice for outdoor or destination weddings.

Cake tiers

Wedding cakes are usually tiered, with three tiers being the most common choice in the US since the 1960s. The number of tiers on a wedding cake is partly determined by the number of guests, as there should be enough cake to serve everyone.

The wedding cake's tiers also have a historical significance. In medieval times, spiced buns were stacked as high as possible, and the bride and groom would attempt to kiss over the pile of pastries. If they managed to do so without knocking it over, it was believed that they would have a lifetime of wealth.

Nowadays, wedding cakes can have as many tiers as the couple wishes, and they can be separated by flowers or columns for added visual impact and height. The tiers can also be supported by pillars or dowels to ensure the cake's stability.

Cake decorations

Wedding cakes have become a pop culture symbol in Western society. They are often the centrepiece of a wedding and are usually on display and served to guests at the reception.

Wedding cakes can be decorated in a variety of ways, with different colours, motifs, flowers, and tiers. Here are some ideas for cake decorations:

• Sugar flowers – Roses, peonies, orchids, and other flowers can be crafted from sugar to adorn the cake.
• Fresh flowers – Fresh blooms such as roses, orchids, and anthurium can be used to decorate the cake, adding a whimsical or tropical touch.
• Fruits – Sliced fresh fruits like figs, pomegranates, and berries can accompany the flowers used to decorate the cake.
• Textured buttercream – Combed or textured buttercream frosting can add a unique and effortless touch to a wedding cake.
• Fondant – Fondant is a form of frosting that can be draped over tiers, creating a smooth and firm finish. It can be cut into designs, formed into shapes, flavoured, or tinted.
• Gold accents – Gold leaf, gold tiers, or gold cake stands can add a touch of glamour to the cake.
• Monogram – The couple's initials can be painted or piped onto the cake, adding a personalised touch.
• Marble – A marble effect can be created using fondant or icing, adding a sophisticated look to the cake.
• Chocolate shards – White, milk, or dark modelling chocolate shards can be used as a unique and tasty decoration.
• Edible paper – Edible paper can be used to create textured wave-like decorations or other intricate designs.
• Cake topper – Wedding cake toppers are a traditional decoration, often featuring a representation of the bride and groom. However, modern toppers can also showcase shared hobbies, passions, or a meaningful quote.
• Charms – Charms baked into the cake or placed underneath it are an old tradition. Each charm has a specific meaning, such as a ring for an upcoming engagement or a clover for good luck.
• Ribbons – Ribbons attached to the cake can be used for cake pulls, a Southern tradition where single friends and wedding party members pull charms from the cake.

These are just a few ideas to inspire your wedding cake decorations. The possibilities are endless, and you can work with a cake designer to create a cake that reflects your unique style and personality.

Cake traditions

Wedding cakes have been a part of wedding ceremonies for centuries, though they haven't always been the focus of the event. The first wedding cakes were probably made in ancient Greece, and the contemporary wedding cake has grown out of several different ethnic traditions. One tradition began in Ancient Rome, where a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the "bride's pie" was served at most weddings. This was a savoury dish filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels, and cocks' combs. It was considered very rude and bad luck not to eat a piece.

In the 17th century, two cakes were made: one for the bride and one for the groom. The bride's cake was usually a simple pound cake with white icing because white was a sign of virginity and purity. The groom's cake was typically a darker, rich fruit cake and was much smaller.

Wedding cake traditions have evolved over time, and today there are many different ways to incorporate cake into a wedding celebration. Here are some of the most common traditions:

• Cutting the cake together: Cutting the cake is often considered the first activity the couple does together, symbolising their unity.
• Feeding each other cake: This tradition dates back to Ancient Roman times and symbolises the couple's commitment to creating a sweet life together.
• Groom's cake: A separate, smaller cake that showcases the groom's favourite things, such as a sports team or hobby.
• Saving the top tier: Couples often save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary or at the christening of their first child.
• Wedding cake charms: Charms baked into the cake or attached to ribbons for guests to pull out, with each charm having a special meaning, such as good luck or upcoming marriage.
• White wedding cake: White icing was a symbol of wealth and social status in Victorian times, as only the wealthiest families could afford the refined, white sugar needed to create it.
• Sleeping with cake under your pillow: A superstition that says sleeping with a piece of wedding cake under your pillow will lead you to dream of your future spouse.
• Wedding cake toppers: A chance for the couple to show off their personality, often featuring a classic "LOVE" or "Mr. and Mrs." topper or a small replica of the couple.

These are just a few examples of the many wedding cake traditions that exist. Couples may choose to incorporate one or more of these traditions into their wedding celebration, adding a touch of symbolism and cultural significance to their special day.

Frequently asked questions