The Evolution Of Traditional Wedding Cakes

A traditional wedding cake is typically a fruit cake, covered in marzipan and icing, and presented in tiers. The tradition is believed to date back to Ancient Rome, where a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple. Over time, this evolved into the bride's pie, a savoury pastry filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels and cocks' combs. Thankfully, this tradition was eventually replaced by the fruit cake, which was known as the groom's cake. The larger the cake, the higher the social standing of the couple. Today, wedding cakes are often more experimental, but the traditional wedding cake remains a timeless choice.

History of the wedding cake

The wedding cake has a long and fascinating history, evolving from ancient rituals to the centrepiece of modern celebrations.

Ancient Rome

The wedding cake's origins can be traced back to ancient Rome, where a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head by the groom to bring good fortune to the couple. This tradition was also practised in ancient Greece. When the Romans conquered Britain, they brought this custom with them, and it became a part of marriage ceremonies in the Middle Ages.

Medieval Period

During the medieval period, the wedding cake took on a different form. Spiced sweet buns and biscuits were stacked as high as possible, and the bride and groom attempted to kiss over the top of the stack. A successful kiss without knocking over the stack was considered a sign of a long and happy marriage.

16th and 17th Centuries

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the "bride's pie" became popular. This savoury dish was filled with unusual ingredients such as lamb testicles, cock's combs, oysters, and pine kernels. A glass ring was hidden inside, and it was believed that whichever unmarried woman found it would be the next to marry.

During this time, two cakes were also made: one for the bride and one for the groom. The bride's cake was usually a simple pound cake with white icing, symbolising virginity and purity. The groom's cake, a darker fruit cake, eventually fell out of favour.

18th Century

As refined sugar became more accessible in the 18th century, icing was used to cover the cake. The whiter the icing, the more expensive it was, as it indicated the wealth and social status of the family. Elizabeth Raffald, in 1769, suggested icing the bride's cake with almond paste and sugar icing.

19th Century

In the 19th century, wedding cakes became more elaborate and decorative, sometimes featuring coloured icing instead of the customary white. The cakes grew in size and grandeur, with royalty leading the way. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's wedding cake weighed 300 lbs and was over a foot tall.

The first completely edible tiered wedding cake was created for the wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, in 1882. This cake also introduced the innovation of stacking tiers with dense icing, a method still used today.

20th Century and Beyond

In the 20th century, wedding cakes became more accessible to the masses, with smaller and cheaper versions becoming available. During World War II, rationing led to inventive solutions, such as elaborate cardboard cakes placed over plain sponges for the wedding photographs.

Today, wedding cakes continue to evolve, with lighter sponge cakes and buttercream-covered cakes gaining popularity. While some traditions remain, such as the cutting of the cake by the bride and groom, the cake has become more of a centrepiece than a symbol of fertility and prosperity.

Wedding cake flavours

Wedding cakes have evolved over the years, and today, couples have a wide range of flavours to choose from. However, a traditional wedding cake is typically a fruit cake.

Fruit cakes were chosen for their long shelf life, allowing them to be made well in advance of the wedding and also preserved for months or even years after the wedding. The top tier of a wedding cake was traditionally saved for the christening of the couple's first child. Nowadays, couples may save this tier to eat on their first wedding anniversary or as a midnight snack on their wedding night.

Fruit cakes were also symbolic of wealth and prosperity, as ingredients like dried fruit, spirits, and spices were expensive and hard to come by. The alcohol used to soak the fruit also acts as a natural preservative.

Today, couples may opt for a variety of flavours for their wedding cake, including:

• Sponge cake
• Chocolate
• Lemon sponge
• Vanilla sponge
• Carrot cake
• Rum cake
• Cheese cake

These cakes may be decorated with fondant, marzipan, buttercream, or chocolate, and adorned with flowers, ribbons, or other embellishments.

Wedding cake tiers

The top tier of the wedding cake was traditionally saved for the christening of the couple's first child, and it was common to bring the cake out again within a year if the wedding night "went to plan". Nowadays, couples save the top tier for a variety of reasons. Some couples like to freeze it and enjoy it on their first wedding anniversary, while others prefer to save it for breakfast the next day or as a midnight snack on their wedding day.

The number of tiers in a wedding cake can vary, and the overall height of the cake is said to predict the couple's prosperity in some cultures, such as in Indonesia. In the US, three tiers have been the most common choice since at least the 1960s.

Creating a tiered wedding cake requires careful planning and execution. To assemble a simple three-tier cake, you will need cake boards, dowelling rods, cake pillars, and thick ribbon to cover the joins. The cakes are stacked on top of each other, with the pillars providing support and the dowelling rods helping to carry the load.

Wedding cake toppers

Today, wedding cake toppers come in a variety of styles, from rustic wooden cake toppers to funny, romantic, or unique designs. Couples can choose from a wide range of options, including acrylic, porcelain, and vintage-inspired wood veneer toppers. Some toppers are designed to look like the couple, with customisable skin and hair colours, while others feature motifs such as motorcycles, bicycles, musical instruments, or sports equipment.

For those who want something truly unique, custom wedding cake toppers can be created to match the couple's personalities and style. Acrylic cake toppers, for example, can be etched with the couple's names, wedding date, or other personalised details.

In addition to the traditional bride and groom toppers, some couples may choose to include their pets, children, or even their hobbies and occupations in their wedding cake topper. Whatever the choice, the topper is meant to reflect the couple's personalities and tell their unique love story.

Wedding cake traditions

The wedding cake is a longstanding tradition, with the first wedding cakes believed to date back to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In Ancient Rome, a cake of barley or wheat was broken over the bride's head to bring good luck to the couple.

In medieval times, a stack of buns was used instead of a multi-level cake, but the symbolism was similar. The larger the cake, the higher the social standing. The bride would traditionally cut the cake alone, symbolising the loss of her virginity. Over time, as cakes became multi-tiered and guest numbers grew, the groom would assist the bride in cutting the cake.

The traditional English wedding cake is a fruit cake, often rum or brandy-soaked, and covered in marzipan and icing. The fruit cake is used because of its long shelf life, and a tier is often saved for the christening of the couple's first child. The top tier can also be saved for the couple to enjoy on their first wedding anniversary.

White icing was a symbol of money and social importance in Victorian times, so a white cake was highly desired. The lighter the cake, the wealthier the family appeared. The white of the cake also represented the bride as the main focal point of the wedding.

In addition to the main wedding cake, early modern European weddings would also serve a 'groom's cake'. This was a smaller, darker, rich fruit cake. The tradition of the groom's cake continues in some parts of the US, where it is used to showcase the groom's hobbies, taste, and favourite sports teams.

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