Small Wedding Cake Ideas For Your Intimate Celebration

Small wedding cakes are a growing trend for couples who want to make a statement without an oversized, multi-tiered cake. These petite treats can be simple and stylish, perfect for intimate gatherings or those who don't like cake. From one-tier creations to heart-shaped confections, small cakes can be just as elaborate and impressive as their larger counterparts. Couples can opt for a variety of decorations, including fresh flowers, gold foil, edible flowers, sprinkles, and garden flowers that complement the season. Small cakes are also a budget-friendly option, allowing couples to reduce expenses without sacrificing flavour or aesthetic. Whether it's a simple white cake with floral accents or a unique chocolate cake with a personalised touch, small wedding cakes are a win-win for couples looking to make a big impression.

Fresh flowers

When choosing fresh flowers, it is important to select flowers that are in season and have not been treated with pesticides. Examples of suitable flowers include organically grown roses, herbs, bay, some dahlias, some peonies, jasmine, and marigolds. It is also crucial to avoid toxic flowers such as mistletoe, poinsettia, holly, sweet pea, lily of the valley, daffodils, azaleas, and calla lilies.

To prepare the flowers, let them hydrate overnight in clean water. The next day, cut the stems to approximately 2-3 inches in length and wrap them with floral tape to prevent any flower secretion from leaking into the cake. You can then insert the flowers directly into the cake or use bubble tea straws to help position the flowers at specific angles.

When adding flowers to a cake, it is essential to create a barrier between the stems and the cake to prevent any fluid from the stems from leaking into the cake layers. This can be done by wrapping the stems with floral tape or using food-safe alternatives such as boba straws or a posy pick.

Cake toppers

• Traditional cake toppers: These usually involve figurines of the bride and groom, but you can modify this classic version by adding a figurine of your pet, for example. You can also find traditional toppers that feature the couple doing something other than just standing, such as the groom dipping the bride.
• Laser-cut words and phrases: These are especially popular and can be used to display a quote, your names, or your initials. They are a great way to add a modern and personalised touch to your cake.
• Wire letters: Similar to laser-cut words, but with a more delicate and artistic look. These can be used to spell out your names or a meaningful phrase.
• Flowers, banners, or fruit: For a natural and colourful touch, consider adding fresh flowers, foliage, or fruit to your cake. You can also use artificial leaves or silk flowers if you're concerned about food safety.
• Acrylic toppers: Acrylic cake toppers come in various designs, such as monograms, silhouettes, or simple shapes like hearts. They can be customised with your names, initials, or wedding date.
• Wooden cake toppers: Wooden toppers add a rustic touch to your wedding cake. They can be personalised with your names, initials, or a simple phrase.
• Lego mini-figurines: For something unique and playful, consider creating Lego mini-figurines of the bride and groom. You can personalise the hair styles and facial features to make them look like you.
• Dog lovers cake topper: If you want to include your furry friend in your celebrations without actually bringing them to the event, consider a subtle nod with a dog-themed cake topper.
• Bunting cake topper: This style showcases your new married name and suits a rustic or DIY wedding theme.
• Minimalist wire cake topper: A single-line wire figure of a bride and groom is a modern take on the traditional cake topper. It suits a chic and contemporary wedding style.

Naked cakes

A semi-naked cake still has a thin layer of frosting, with the baker scraping the edges to let the cake layers show through. This style is perfect for those who want a balance between a naked cake and a fully frosted cake.

• Pop-of-Color Semi-Naked Cake: If you want to draw attention to a particular colour, perhaps one of the core hues from your colour palette, a semi-naked cake with partial white frosting is a great choice.
• Semi-Naked Cake with Citrus Accents: Using fresh citrus like lemons or oranges as a delicate accent to your semi-naked wedding cake is perfect for a summer wedding or a wedding in a warm climate.
• Bright Fall-Inspired Semi-Naked Cake: A semi-naked cake with semi-naked layers, flecks of gold, a coloured drip, and beautiful florals is an excellent option for an early fall wedding.
• Rustic Semi-Naked Cake with Florals: This classic yet rustic cake is lightly frosted with white buttercream and garnished with fresh flowers and succulents. Place it on a wooden server for a picture-perfect boho vibe.
• Cascading Blooms on a Semi-Naked Cake: A trail of white roses and vines transforms this four-tier semi-naked cake into a stunning display. This sugary treat will give your celebration a timeless feel and can be adapted to any aesthetic.
• Indulgent Berry Naked Cake: This rustic hazelnut cake is filled with mascarpone cream and blackberries throughout the layers, with additional berries and greenery on top. It is perfect for a backyard wedding or as part of a dessert table display.
• Fruity Semi-Naked Cake: Topping your cake with fresh fruit is a fun way to complement a summer wedding. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries add colour and make the cake look extra fresh and delicious.
• Colourful Semi-Naked Confection: This three-tier semi-naked cake seems to burst with vitality thanks to a cascade of exotic blooms in pink and orange tones with a touch of blue. The white base offers a beautiful contrast and accentuates the vibrant shades.
• All-Chocolate Naked Cake: A naked chocolate cake featuring berries and figs is perfect for a whimsical, wooded wedding. This cake is simple yet stunning, complete with the sweetest cake topper.
• Sweet Pink Ombré Semi-Naked Cake: This pink ombré confection is a subtle way to use the trend, and it has a more classic feel thanks to the pink tulips that stand on top. It would be a lovely addition to a late spring wedding or a garden-inspired soirée.
• Soft Pinks on a Semi-Naked Cake: This stunning one-tier cake features semi-naked cake layers with white or off-white icing, accented with soft pink or blush-hued flowers.
• Chocolate Semi-Naked Cake with Caramel Drizzle: Adding a drizzle of caramel or chocolate to a semi-naked cake makes it even more irresistible. This style is perfect for an industrial venue with exposed brick, concrete, or wood beams.

Chocolate cakes

Cake Flavour and Filling

• Raspberry
• Hazelnut
• Matcha
• Coffee
• Mint
• Lavender

For an extra decadent touch, you could also fill your chocolate cake with a chocolate-based treat, such as truffles or Oreo cookies.

Cake Design

• Gilded gold leaf
• Hand-painted details
• Monograms
• Fresh flowers
• White or vanilla buttercream or fondant for a classic look
• Chocolate textured frosting
• Chocolate drip with gold detailing and fresh fruit
• Semi-naked cake with pastel accents and fresh flowers
• Naked cake with chocolate ganache and coconut
• Dark and dramatic black frosting with light and airy blooms
• Mini single-tier cake topped with a leafy branch and blooms
• Marbleized frosting with soft sugar flowers
• White chocolate with gold detailing
• Tall statement cake with over 20 layers of chocolate cake
• Chocolate cake with white or vanilla "stitching"
• Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and bold flowers
• Chocolate cake with crushed pistachios for a salty, nutty crunch

Buttercream icing

Buttercream is a classic choice for wedding cakes, and for good reason. It is a versatile option that can be tailored to fit any style, aesthetic, and wedding-day theme. It is also a favourite for its delicious, traditional taste.

Buttercream is created by combining butter, powdered sugar, and milk or sometimes heavy cream. The butter can be swapped for shortening, and occasionally, cocoa powder, peanut butter, liquor, or lemon juice are added for flavour. The colour can also be altered with food colouring.

When it comes to decorating a small wedding cake with buttercream, the options are endless. The buttercream can be spread onto the cake to create a textured look, or it can be smoothed out with special tools. It can also be grooved, striped, or swirled.

• Add fresh flowers, hand-piped details, fresh fruit, sprinkles, or colourful icing.
• For a simple and romantic cake, opt for a smooth buttercream finish with a few flowers or a small peony topper.
• For a semi-naked cake, use a thin layer of buttercream, allowing the cake layers to shine through for a rustic look.
• For a chocolate buttercream cake, use a cake comb to create flawless stripes and add meticulous piping on top.
• For a whimsical touch, add Swiss dots and fresh flowers, a classic combination that can be left as-is or built upon with additional details.
• Monogrammed initials can be piped on top of a textured buttercream cake for a personalised touch.
• For a pop of colour, consider a bright summer wedding palette with colourful flowers, like yellow, pink, and orange mums.

Remember, buttercream is susceptible to melting in warmer temperatures, so it is important to consider the conditions of your venue and transport when choosing this frosting option.

Frequently asked questions