Wedding Cake Tradition: Ancient Symbolism, Modern Celebration

Wedding cakes have been a part of the ceremony since ancient Roman and Greek times. In ancient Rome, a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple. The contemporary wedding cake has grown out of several different ethnic traditions. Today, wedding cakes are often the centrepiece of a wedding and are steeped in cultural significance. Many wedding cake traditions are still incorporated into wedding receptions, such as the colour of the cake, the act of cutting the cake, and feeding each other a slice.

The colour white symbolises purity and wealth

The colour white has been attached to wedding ceremonies since the Victorian era when Queen Victoria chose to wear a white lace wedding dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The wedding cake was originally known as the "bride's cake", so the colour white became common because the cake needed to reflect the bride.

White was also a symbol of wealth and social status. In the 19th century, sugar became easier to obtain, but the more refined and whiter sugars were still very expensive. This meant that only wealthy families could afford to have very pure white frosting. The use of white icing on a wedding cake was, therefore, a display of the family's wealth and social status.

White is, of course, the colour of purity, and the white cake was also a symbol of the bride's virginity and purity.

The cake cutting ceremony

The cake-cutting ceremony is a longstanding tradition that has evolved over the years. Initially, the bride would cut the cake alone, but now it is a joint activity that symbolises the couple's first act as a married couple. The groom places his hand over the bride's to show his support and promise to care for her.

The couple is encouraged to cut from the bottom tier, symbolising the longevity of their relationship. The bride and groom then feed each other a small piece of cake, representing their commitment to providing for one another and showing love and affection. This custom has evolved in some cases to the couple grinding the cake into their partner's face, although this is best avoided unless agreed upon beforehand.

The cake-cutting ceremony is also a signal to older guests that the day's activities are coming to an end, and it offers a kind send-off to guests who need to leave early.

In China, the couple begins cutting from the lowest tier, giving the first pieces to their parents and ancestors, symbolically honouring their foundational role in the family.

In some American wedding traditions, ribbons are attached to the bottom layer of the cake, and maidens pull them to see who will be the next to marry. In other countries, the cake is broken over the bride's head to ensure fertility and bring good fortune.

The cake-cutting ceremony is a significant part of the wedding reception, filled with symbolism and meaning for the couple and their guests.

Cake toppers

Wedding cake toppers have been used for hundreds of years, but their use exploded in popularity during the Victorian era in Britain. The tradition is thought to have originated at the 1840 wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who crowned their wedding cake with miniature sculptures of themselves. Soon, it became a requirement for every married couple to have their likenesses perched on top of their cakes.

The trend eventually made its way to the United States in the 1920s, but it wasn't until after World War II in the 1950s that cake toppers became a staple in American weddings. During this time, the significance of the cake topper shifted to symbolize the stability of the married couple. While traditional bride-and-groom toppers remained the most popular, couples also began to experiment with alternative designs, such as carved initials or meaningful words or images.

Today, cake toppers continue to be a popular way for couples to express their unique style and personality. They can choose from a wide variety of options, including traditional bride-and-groom sets, individual toppers that can be mixed and matched, or specialty toppers for beach weddings, winter weddings, mature couples, expecting couples, and more. Some couples may also opt for funny or creative cake toppers that reflect their hobbies, interests, or sense of humour.

Regardless of the style chosen, the most important thing is for the cake topper to hold special meaning for the couple. Many couples choose to keep their cake toppers as cherished mementos, incorporating them into their home décor as a lasting reminder of their wedding day.

The groom's cake

The cake is usually designed to reflect the groom's hobbies or interests, such as sports, hunting, or fishing. This tradition of personalisation adds a unique and memorable touch to the wedding celebration. In the film "Steel Magnolias", a red velvet groom's cake shaped like a giant armadillo appears, sparking renewed interest in the tradition.

In the past, the groom's cake served as a take-home favour for guests, wrapped in silk ribbons. Another tradition associated with the groom's cake is the belief that if an unmarried woman places a piece of the cake under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband.

The bride's pie

The wedding cake tradition dates back to Roman and Medieval times. Back then, it was a stack of buns or a savoury pie, rather than a multi-level cake. The bride pie, or 'bride pye', was served at most weddings during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The bride pie was an elaborate creation, consisting of several distinct pies on one bottom. The crust was filled with an assortment of oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels, and cocks' combs. The pièce de résistance was a central compartment filled with live birds or a snake, which was intended to entertain guests when they cut up the pie. It was considered very rude and bad luck to refuse to eat a slice.

One tradition of the bride's pie was to place a glass ring in the middle, and whoever found it would be the next to marry, similar to the modern tradition of catching the bouquet.

The bride pie eventually evolved into the bride cake, which was a sweet yeasted bread with spices and fruits. These were glazed with sugar icing, and the whiter the icing, the wealthier the family.

Frequently asked questions