Parisian Wedding Cake Traditions: A Sweet Exploration

Wedding cakes are an important part of the celebration, often acting as a centrepiece and a symbol of the couple's personalities and love for each other. In Paris, the traditional wedding cake is called a Croquembouche, constructed from profiteroles – small choux pastries or round balls filled with creamy custard. The base is wider than the top, and when stacked, they form a cone shape that can be as tall as the couple wishes. The whole thing is held together with caramel syrup, giving it a shiny golden colour. While the traditional Croquembouche is still popular, some couples opt for more modern alternatives such as macaron centrepieces or wedding cakes inspired by US/UK styles.

The traditional French wedding cake

The first croquembouche is believed to have been made in the late 1700s by pastry chef Antoine Careme. The name comes from the sound made when biting into one of the many profiteroles—*croque en bouche* means "crunch in the mouth".

The croquembouche is not displayed throughout the reception like a traditional wedding cake. Instead, it is brought out for dessert and served to guests, with each guest receiving around three profiteroles. It is often made with puff pastries that have different flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, coffee, raspberry, or lemon injected into each before stacking.

Alternative centrepieces

Paris is known as the world's gastronomic capital, so it's no surprise that there are many options for wedding cakes and centrepieces. The traditional French wedding cake is called a Croquembouche, made of caramelised choux buns filled with crème pâtissière and topped with nougat. It is often sculpted into different shapes and sizes, such as a pyramid, a house, a sailboat, a waterfall, or even the Eiffel Tower. The finishing touch is the addition of bride and groom figurines on top.

Macaron Centrepiece

A popular alternative to the traditional Croquembouche is a macaron centrepiece. Macarons are a classic French dessert and can be arranged in a variety of ways to create a visually appealing display. They can be customised to match the wedding theme and colours, and they offer a lighter option for guests.

Caroline Centrepiece

The Caroline centrepiece is made of mini eclairs and can be a unique and elegant alternative to the traditional wedding cake. It offers a combination of creamy and crunchy textures and can be customised with different flavours and decorations.

Fruit Centrepiece

For a refreshing and healthy option, a fruit centrepiece can be a beautiful alternative. Strawberries or other fruits can be caramelised with nougat to create a sweet and tasty display. This option is perfect for outdoor weddings or those looking for a more natural and colourful centrepiece.

Chateau Wedding Cake Replica

A stunning and unique option is to have a replica of a Chateau wedding cake. This cake is a true work of art and can be customised to resemble a French Chateau or a special location for the couple. It offers a combination of elegance and creativity and is sure to impress the guests.

Simple and Romantic Elopement Cake

For intimate weddings or elopements, a simple and romantic one-tier cake can be a perfect choice. This option is elegant and classic, focusing on the couple's love rather than an extravagant display. It can be customised with delicate flavours and decorations to make it unique to the couple.

Wedding cake trends in France

The wedding cake is often the most memorable part of the wedding day. In France, the traditional wedding cake is called a croquembouche. This is a tower of cream-filled profiteroles, stacked into a cone shape and glued together with caramel syrup. The croquembouche is usually brought out for dessert and served to guests, with each guest receiving around three profiteroles.

The croquembouche is said to have been invented in the late 1700s by pastry chef Antoine Careme, evolving from the tradition of bringing wheat cakes to weddings, which dates back to the Middle Ages.

While the croquembouche is the traditional choice, there are many other options for wedding cakes in France. Some couples opt for a macaron or a Caroline centrepiece (made of mini eclairs). For a lighter option, a centrepiece made from strawberries or other fruits caramelised with nougat can be chosen.

For those who prefer a more classic wedding cake, French bakers have put their own twist on the traditional US/UK-style tiered wedding cake. These cakes can be customised with decorations, stencilling, fondant ornaments, and sugar paste flowers.

Customising your wedding cake

Wedding cakes are a great way to showcase the couple's personality and style. When it comes to customising your wedding cake, the possibilities are endless, especially in Paris, the world's gastronomic capital. Here are some ideas to make your wedding cake unique and memorable:

Choose your cake flavour

Selecting a flavour that you and your partner love is essential. Traditional wedding cake flavours include fruitcake, carrot cake, and chocolate cake. However, modern couples are increasingly opting for unique flavours such as vanilla sponge, lemon, or even unusual options like lavender or rose.

Decide on the number of tiers

The number of tiers on your wedding cake will depend on the size of your wedding and the desired impact. A single-tier cake can be elegant and simple, while a multi-tiered cake creates a grand and luxurious statement. In Western culture, the cake is often used as a centerpiece and is designed to reflect the couple's personalities.

Explore different icing options

Icing plays a crucial role in the overall appearance of your wedding cake. Fondant, buttercream, and royal icing are popular choices, each offering a distinct look and texture. Fondant, for example, provides a smooth and sleek finish, while buttercream gives a more rustic and whimsical feel.

Incorporate colours and decorations

Adding colours and decorations to your wedding cake is a great way to tie it into your wedding theme. Fresh flowers, sugar paste flowers, and ornaments made from fondant or chocolate are all beautiful options. You can also consider using gold leaf, edible glitter, or custom cake toppers featuring the couple's initials or figurines representing their hobbies.

Alternative cake options

If you want to break away from the traditional wedding cake, there are plenty of alternative options. A Croquembouche, a French wedding cake made of stacked profiteroles, is a unique choice. Macarons, cupcakes, or even a tower of cheese wheels are also creative alternatives.

Customise with a cake cutting ceremony

The cake-cutting ceremony is a symbolic and romantic moment at any wedding. Consider adding a custom music accompaniment or a unique ritual, such as saving the top tier of the cake to eat on your first wedding anniversary.

Remember, your wedding cake should reflect your personal style and taste. Whether you opt for a traditional or alternative cake, the possibilities for customisation are endless!

The history of wedding cakes

The wedding cake has been a part of the ceremony since ancient Greek and Roman times. In Ancient Rome, a cake of wheat or barley was broken over the bride's head to bring good fortune to the couple. This tradition was also seen in Ancient Greece, where it symbolised the 'breaking of the bride's virginal state and the subsequent dominance of the groom over her'.

In Medieval England, cakes were stacked as high as possible and the newlyweds would try to kiss over the top of the stack. If they were successful, it was believed they would be blessed with a prosperous and fertile life together. This tradition led to the creation of the Croquembouche, a French wedding cake made of profiteroles stacked into a tower.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the 'bride's pie' was served at most weddings. This was a savoury dish filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels and cocks' combs. It was considered very rude and bad luck not to eat a piece of the bride's pie.

In the 17th century, two cakes were made: one for the bride and one for the groom. The bride's cake was usually a simple pound cake with white icing, as white was a sign of virginity and purity. The groom's cake was a darker, rich fruit cake and was generally much smaller.

In the early 19th century, sugar became easier to obtain and white icing became a symbol of wealth and social status. When Queen Victoria used white icing on her wedding cake, it was renamed 'royal icing'.

The modern wedding cake originated at the 1882 wedding of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. This was the first wedding cake that was completely edible, with separate layers of cake and dense icing.

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