The Evolution Of Wedding Cakes: A Sweet History

Wedding cakes have been a part of the ceremony since ancient times, with the ancient Greeks and Romans breaking bread over the bride's head to symbolise the end of her purity and the groom's dominance over her. In Roman times, grains of wheat were thrown at the newly married couple to ensure fertility, with the couple then eating cake crumbs together as a sign of unity. Over time, these wheat cakes morphed into the traditional cake design we know today, with the Victorian era seeing the emergence of white icing to symbolise the bride's purity and virginity. During the 19th century, wedding cakes became sweeter, with mincemeat pies being replaced by tiered cakes. The tradition of cutting the cake also emerged, symbolising the loss of the bride's virginity and the couple's unity. Today, wedding cakes are a staple at modern weddings, with some couples even preserving the top tier for their first anniversary to bring good luck and prosperity.

Wedding cakes originated in Ancient Rome

Wedding cakes have their roots firmly planted in Ancient Rome. In fact, the Romans are thought to have been the first to popularise the tradition of the wedding cake. However, the Roman wedding cake was not the sweet, iced treat we know today. Instead, it was made from wheat or barley and resembled a loaf of bread.

The Ancient Roman wedding cake was used in a ceremony where a piece of bread was broken over the bride's head. This act was believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. It also represented the groom's dominance over his new wife, symbolising the "breaking of the bride's virginal state". The bride and groom would then eat the crumbs together, in one of their first unified acts as a married couple.

The Romans brought this tradition with them when they conquered Britain in 43 CE. The Brits took things a step further, throwing the bread at the bride as a symbol of her fertility. This custom continued through to the Middle Ages, with the English adding their own twist. They began stacking spiced buns, scones and cookies as high as possible and the newly married couple would try to kiss over the stack. If they succeeded without knocking it over, it was believed they would have good fortune.

Over time, the Roman wheat cakes evolved into the more traditional cake design we know today. During the Victorian era, white icing became prevalent on wedding cakes as it symbolised the bride's purity and virginity.

Bread was broken over the bride's head

The wedding cake has evolved from a variety of traditions, one of the earliest being the Roman tradition of breaking bread over the bride's head. This tradition, which began in Ancient Rome, was intended to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. The Romans, who associated grains of wheat with fertility, would throw wheat cakes at the newly married couple to ensure fruitfulness. The groom would then break a wheat or barley cake over the bride's head, symbolising the "breaking of the bride's virginal state and the subsequent dominance of the groom over her".

Following this, the couple would eat a few crumbs of the cake together, symbolising their unity as they embarked on their married life. Guests would then scoop up the remaining crumbs, believing this would bring them good luck. When the Romans conquered Britain in 43 CE, the Brits adopted this tradition but with a slight variation: they threw the bread at the bride to symbolise her fertility.

Over time, the Roman wheat cakes evolved into the more traditional cake design, eventually becoming the wedding cake we know today. The colour white became associated with the cake during the Victorian era, as it symbolised the bride's purity and virginity.

Cakes were stacked high in Medieval England

In Medieval England, cakes were stacked high as a test for the newly married couple to kiss over. If they managed to kiss over the stack without knocking it down, they would be guaranteed a prosperous life together. The higher the stack, the greater the challenge, and the greater the promise of good fortune.

The tradition of stacking cakes in Medieval England is thought to have originated from Ancient Rome, where a wheat or barley cake was broken over the bride's head to bring luck and fertility to the couple. The Romans brought this tradition with them when they conquered Britain in 43 CE. The British then took this tradition a step further by throwing the bread at the bride, to demonstrate her fertility.

Over time, the plain wheat cake was replaced with spiced buns, scones, and cookies, stacked as high as possible. This practice is considered a precursor to the tiered cakes of today. Legend has it that if a couple successfully kissed over the stack, they would be blessed with many children.

The tradition of stacking cakes in Medieval England also inspired the creation of the Croquembouche. A pastry chef, visiting from France, witnessed the English tradition and was inspired to create the first Croquembouche back in France. This traditional French wedding cake is built from Profiteroles and given a halo of spun sugar.

White icing symbolised virginity and wealth

The wedding cake has evolved from its humble beginnings in Ancient Rome to become a sweet, celebratory centrepiece at modern weddings.

In Ancient Rome, grooms would break bread or a wheat or barley cake over the bride's head. This symbolised the groom's dominance over his new wife, as well as her submission and the end of her purity. It was also believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple.

Over time, the wedding cake began to take on a new form. In Medieval England, cakes were stacked as high as possible, and the bride and groom would kiss over them. If they managed to kiss without knocking the cakes over, it was believed they would have a prosperous life together.

During the 17th century, wedding cakes started to replace bridal pies, and by the 19th century, cakes became sweet rather than savoury. Mincemeat pies were used as wedding cakes up until this time.

As refined sugar became more common and cheaper, a bright white icing became the topping of choice for weddings. White icing symbolised the bride's virginity and purity, and it also indicated the wealth of the bride's family. Refined and whiter sugars were more expensive, so only wealthy families could afford very pure white frosting.

The white colour of wedding cakes became even more popular after Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. The white colour of the cake needed to reflect the bride.

Tiered cakes were influenced by church steeples

Tiered cakes, or cakes with multiple layers stacked on top of each other, have been associated with weddings for centuries. The earliest examples of wedding cakes were not the iced confections we know today, but rather sweet pies or breads made from wheat or barley. These cakes were often broken over the bride's head to symbolize the groom's dominance over his new wife, as well as to bring good luck and fertility to the couple.

In Medieval times, the English began stacking spiced buns, scones, and cookies as high as possible. The bride and groom would try to kiss over the stack of treats, and if they succeeded without knocking it over, it was believed that they would have good fortune and many children. This tradition is thought to be a precursor to the tiered cakes of today.

According to legend, the specific influence of church steeples on tiered cakes can be traced back to 1703 in London. A baker's apprentice named Thomas Rich fell in love with his employer's daughter and wanted to create an extravagant cake to impress her when he proposed. He found inspiration in the tiered spire of St. Bride's Church on Fleet Street and recreated the look in pastry form. This story highlights the idea that the grand structure and height of a tiered cake can symbolize prosperity and serve as a status symbol.

The innovation of tiered cakes with internal support, such as pillars or dowels, allowed for even more impressive and stable structures. This evolution in cake design opened up possibilities for creative decorations, elaborate sugar sculptures, and intricate details. By the 19th century, wedding cakes had transformed into the sweet, tiered confections that we often associate with modern weddings.

Today, the wedding cake remains a beloved tradition, with couples often opting for decadent multi-tiered cakes that serve as a stunning centerpiece at their reception. The influence of church steeples on tiered cakes combines aesthetics, symbolism, and a long-standing tradition, adding a unique touch to the celebration of marriage.

Frequently asked questions