Wedding Cake Traditions: Most Popular Types

Wedding cakes have evolved from the bread grooms would break over the bride's head—a tradition meant to symbolise the end of her purity—to elaborate, multi-tiered cakes. Today, there are endless possibilities for wedding cake flavours, from traditional chocolate to eclectic passion fruit. While there is no right or wrong way to design your wedding cake, some flavours are more popular than others. Vanilla, for example, is a perennial favourite due to its versatility and universal appeal. Chocolate is another classic, especially for winter weddings. Red velvet, lemon, salted caramel, and almond amaretto are also common choices.

Traditional vs. unique flavours

Wedding cakes have come a long way since the Middle Ages when multi-tiered cakes were first introduced. Nowadays, there are endless possibilities for flavours, fillings, shapes, sizes, and styles.

Traditional Flavours

Vanilla, chocolate, and almond are the most common traditional wedding cake flavours. Vanilla's understated elegance makes it a perennial favourite, and its light, buttery base offers a versatile canvas for various fillings and icings. Chocolate cake is a staple for anyone with a sweet tooth, and it can be layered with various fillings like cherries, peanut butter, and strawberries. Almond-flavoured cake is often associated with weddings, and it can be dense yet moist, with a fine crumb.

Unique Flavours

Unique and fun flavours are becoming increasingly popular for wedding cakes. Salted caramel cake, for example, adds a hint of salt to the sweet caramel for a balanced flavour profile. Coconut cream cake brings a taste of a tropical island with its light and fluffy layers infused with coconut milk. Lemon zest cake is perfect for a fresh and light option, especially for spring and summer weddings. Banana coconut mocha cake adds an extra twist with some almonds or macadamia nuts. For a fall wedding, spiced pear cake with chai tea icing is a perfect choice.

While traditional flavours like vanilla, chocolate, and almond remain popular, unique flavours are gaining traction. Couples are increasingly opting for flavours that reflect their personalities and interests, such as banana coconut mocha or salted caramel. These unique flavours add a modern touch and cater to couples and guests who want something different or who don't have a big sweet tooth. However, traditional flavours are timeless for a reason—they are universally loved and pair well with various fillings, frostings, and toppings. Ultimately, the choice of flavour depends on personal preference, and couples should pick a flavour they love rather than trying to please their guests.

Timeless vs. trending flavours

When it comes to wedding cakes, there are endless possibilities. From timeless flavours to unique and trending combinations, the options are vast.

Timeless Flavours

Vanilla is a perennial favourite for wedding cakes. Its understated elegance makes it a versatile choice that can be easily customised to fit any wedding theme. Vanilla pairs well with various fillings and icings, from fruit compotes to a rich, dark chocolate ganache.

Chocolate is another classic option, perfect for an evening or winter wedding. It is a deep and indulgent choice that can be layered with different fillings like cherries, peanut butter, strawberries, and more.

Red velvet is a dramatic and luxurious choice, with its distinct red colour. It is often paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting, combining the richness of cocoa with a buttermilk tang.

Lemon is a vibrant and refreshing flavour, especially popular for spring and summer weddings. It is often paired with lemon buttercream, classic vanilla buttercream, or a berry compote to balance the acidity.

Almond is another timeless option, with its nutty flavour. It can be paired with various icings and fillings, such as white cake, vanilla cake, or sour cream frosting.

Trending Flavours

Chocolate and raspberry is a trending combination, offering the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, ideal for a summer wedding.

Banana coconut mocha is a unique and bold flavour combination. It can be enhanced with the addition of almonds or macadamia nuts.

Spiced pear with chai tea icing is a perfect choice for a fall wedding, offering a warm and comforting flavour profile.

Ginger and passion fruit is a trendy combination, often including chiffon or mousse. The addition of pineapple or raspberry further elevates this flavour profile.

Salted caramel is a modern twist on a traditional wedding cake, blending sweet caramel with a hint of salt. It is perfect for couples who want something sweet but not too overpowering.

Coconut cream cake brings a taste of the tropics to your wedding, with its light and fluffy layers infused with coconut milk. It can be paired with lime curd or pineapple filling.

Strawberry shortcake is a playful and sweet option, with layers of light sponge, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. It is ideal for couples looking for a lighter and less decadent choice.

Carrot cake is becoming increasingly popular for weddings, with its rich, moist base and mix of spices. It is usually topped with a cream cheese frosting, providing a balanced flavour profile.

Chantilly cake, similar to strawberry shortcake, is a delicate and elegant choice. It features a light, fluffy sponge with a sweet cream filling and is garnished with fresh berries.

When choosing a wedding cake flavour, it is important to consider your own preferences and the overall theme of your wedding. Incorporating seasonal flavours or unique combinations can make your wedding cake a memorable part of your special day.

Cake fillings

There are endless possibilities for wedding cake flavours and fillings. Here are some ideas for cake fillings to get you started:

Fruit

Whole berries, strawberry puree, lemon curd, raspberry compote, cherry, or apricot are all popular choices for a fruity filling. Lemon curd in particular is a popular choice, and pairs well with vanilla cake and buttercream. Raspberry is another crowd-pleaser, and goes well with chocolate cake.

Cream

Vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and salted caramel are all delicious options. Cream cheese is a good choice to balance out a rich red velvet cake. Salted caramel is a unique twist on a traditional cake, and blends sweet caramel with a hint of salt.

Chocolate

Chocolate cake can be filled with chocolate or caramel ganache. Alternatively, a white chocolate filling pairs well with a coconut cake.

Nuts

Almond-flavoured cake is a popular choice for weddings, and can be filled with almond slivers, or decorated with them. Coconut cake is another nutty option, and works well with vanilla, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting.

Other

Some less conventional fillings include Oreo or cookie crumbles, granola clusters, spiced apple chunks, or peanut butter.

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a wedding cake filling!

Seasonal flavours

The wedding cake you choose depends on the season, with certain flavours being more popular at different times of the year.

For a summer wedding, a refreshing passionfruit flavour with a light buttercream frosting is a good option. Alternatively, lemon cake is popular in the warmer months, often paired with a lemon buttercream or berry compote to cut through the richness of the meal. Coconut cream cake is another summery option, bringing a taste of the tropics to your wedding.

In autumn, richer flavours are more popular. The taste of berries combined with dark chocolate is a memorable treat for your guests. For a fall wedding, a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting is a great choice, or a spiced pear cake with chai tea icing.

In winter, a rich chocolate cake is a perfect choice, with various fillings such as cherries, strawberries or peanut butter.

In spring, a strawberry shortcake is a playful and sweet option, while a carrot cake is a rich and moist choice, often topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Allergen-free cakes

The most common wedding cake flavours include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon, salted caramel, almond amaretto, coconut cream, strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, and Chantilly cake.

However, it is important to cater to food allergies and restrictions when choosing a wedding cake. Some bakeries offer fully nut, dairy, egg, soy, and gluten-free cakes, while others cater to specific allergies. For example, Fifi's Cakery in Cambridgeshire, UK, offers vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, and soya-free sponge cakes, in addition to gluten-free and dairy-free iced cakes. They also create cupcakes to match the main wedding cake style for guests with specific dietary requirements.

When choosing an allergen-free wedding cake, it is essential to consider the severity of the allergies and the risk of cross-contamination. Some couples opt for a small cake that meets their dietary needs and a larger, universally popular cake for their guests. This approach can also be more cost-effective and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

• Ask guests about their allergies and dietary restrictions in advance using response cards or the RSVP section on your wedding website.
• Label dessert items with allergen information to help guests make informed choices.
• Discuss allergens with your catering team, as they can suggest alternatives and accommodate special requests.
• Consider a dessert table with a variety of allergen-friendly options to suit different needs and preferences.
• If you have a specific cake in mind, reach out to bakeries specialising in allergen-free cakes, as they may be able to create a custom cake that meets your requirements.

By following these suggestions, you can ensure that your wedding cake is not only delicious but also safe for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions