Wedding Cake Tiers: History, Tradition, And Modernity

Wedding cakes are traditionally tiered to allow for separation. Typically, a wedding cake has three tiers, with each tier having its own significance. The bottom tier is consumed during the wedding ceremony, the middle tier is distributed to guests after the event, and the top tier is preserved for the newlyweds to enjoy on their first anniversary. This tradition has evolved, with couples now opting for one or two-tier cakes, influenced by guest count, budget, and personal preference.

The tradition of wedding cakes

The tradition of the wedding cake is steeped in history, with the tiered cake having a special significance at the heart of the wedding ceremony.

The tradition of stacking cakes in tiers dates back to medieval times, when individual cakes were piled high and the newly married couple would kiss over the top of the tower of cakes. If they managed a kiss without knocking the cakes over, it was believed they would have a happy marriage.

Traditionally, wedding cakes have three tiers, with each tier having its own purpose. The bottom tier is to be eaten at the wedding ceremony, the middle tier is for guests to take a slice home, and the top tier is saved for the couple to enjoy later. Fruit cake is a popular choice for the whole cake, or just the top tier, as it has a long shelf life.

The top tier was originally saved until the couple's first child was christened, but as couples started to wait longer to have children, the tradition evolved. Now, the top tier is often saved for the couple to eat on their first wedding anniversary.

While the three-tiered wedding cake is a classic, couples are increasingly choosing to have one or two tiers instead. This is often a more budget-friendly option, and for smaller weddings, it is a practical choice.

The significance of each tier

The tradition of serving wedding cakes in three tiers originated from a medieval custom where individual cakes were stacked as high as possible, and the couple was invited to kiss over the top. A successful kiss, without toppling the tower of cakes, was said to predict a happy marriage.

Over time, this custom evolved into the three-tiered wedding cake, with each tier holding a special significance:

The Bottom Tier

The largest tier, forming the base of the cake, is intended for consumption during the wedding ceremony. It is often generously portioned to serve all the guests at the celebration.

The Middle Tier

The middle tier is typically distributed to guests as a takeaway treat after the wedding. This tier allows guests to continue the celebration at home and enjoy a sweet reminder of the joyous occasion.

The Top Tier

The smallest tier, perched at the top, is traditionally saved and not consumed during the wedding. In the past, this tier was preserved until the christening of the couple's first child. However, with changing times and family planning choices, the significance of this tier has evolved. Now, it is often saved for the couple to enjoy on their first wedding anniversary, marking a sweet conclusion to the first year of marriage.

While the three-tiered wedding cake holds symbolic value, modern couples are increasingly embracing one or two-tiered cakes, adapting traditions to suit their preferences, guest counts, and budgets.

The recipe for a traditional wedding cake

Wedding cakes traditionally have three tiers, with each tier having its own significance. The bottom tier is to be eaten on the wedding day, the middle tier is to be distributed to guests after the event, and the top tier is preserved for the newlyweds to enjoy on their first wedding anniversary.

The traditional recipe for a wedding cake is a fruit cake, which has a long shelf life and can be safely consumed a few years after the wedding. However, couples today often opt for other flavours such as vanilla, carrot cake, red velvet cake, lemon cake, marble cake, or chocolate chip cake.

Ingredients:

• 24 cups of fruit cake batter (4 cups for the top tier, 7-8 cups for the middle tier, and 12 cups for the bottom tier)
• 12-18 cups of buttercream frosting
• 5 cups of filling (jam, lemon curd, chocolate mousse, vanilla custard, Bavarian cream, whipped cream, or pastry cream)
• Cooking spray
• Wax paper
• Cake pans in various sizes (6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch)
• Rotating cake turntable
• Cardboard or foam core cake rounds (6-inch and 8-inch)
• 12-inch cake drum for the bottom tier
• 14-inch serrated cake knife
• Pastry bag with tips
• Cake smoother/scraper
• Plywood for transporting the cake
• Optional decorations: fresh flowers or edible decorations such as berries

Instructions:

• Prepare the cake pans by spraying them with cooking spray and lining them with wax paper.
• Bake the cakes according to the fruit cake recipe, ensuring you have two 6-inch cakes, two 8-inch cakes, and two 10-inch cakes. The baking times will vary based on the size of the cakes.
• Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes, then loosen them from the pans and transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
• Level the cakes by using a serrated cake knife to create a flat surface on the tops of the cakes.
• Prepare the buttercream frosting and filling of your choice.
• Assemble the tiers by placing a cake layer on a cake board, covering it with a layer of frosting, and repeating with the remaining layers.
• Apply a crumb coat to each tier by spreading a thin layer of frosting over the cake to catch any crumbs. Chill the cake for 30 minutes.
• Finalize the frosting by applying a second coat of frosting to each tier and decorating as desired.
• Stack the tiers by placing the bottom tier on a cake drum, marking the centre and outlining where the next tier will go.
• Cut and insert the support dowels into the bottom tier, ensuring they are at least ¼ inch inside the marked circle.
• Centre the middle tier on top of the dowels and slide it down carefully.
• Repeat the process for the top tier.
• Decorate the cake with fresh flowers or edible decorations, if desired.

The evolution of the top tier

The top tier of a wedding cake has traditionally been reserved for a special occasion. Initially, it was saved until the couple's first child was christened. However, as couples started to delay having children, the purpose of the top tier evolved. Nowadays, it is customary for the newlyweds to save the top tier for their first wedding anniversary.

The top tier of a wedding cake is typically the smallest, measuring around 6 inches in width. It is not usually included in the amount of cake served to the wedding guests. Instead, it is carefully packed and taken home by the bride and groom, to be enjoyed at a later date.

The traditional recipe for a wedding cake is fruit cake, chosen because of its long shelf life. This makes it safe to consume even a few years after the wedding day. However, modern couples are increasingly opting for alternative flavours and designs, reflecting their personal preferences and adding a unique touch to their celebration.

The top tier of a wedding cake is not just about the cake itself but also carries symbolic value. It represents the couple's future together and the creation of new family traditions. Saving the top tier for a future date is a reminder of the wedding day and the happiness shared between the couple and their loved ones.

While the three-tiered wedding cake remains a classic, couples today have more flexibility in their choices. They may choose to have a single-tier or two-tier cake, especially for smaller, intimate weddings. Ultimately, the number of tiers is less important than ensuring there is enough cake to feed all the guests and that the cake reflects the couple's personalities and tastes.

Alternative options to the three-tier tradition

Although three-tier cakes are one of the most popular options for weddings, one and two-tier cakes are also common choices for couples. These smaller cakes are often chosen for more intimate weddings, with 50 people or fewer in attendance.

If you're set on having a multi-tiered cake but want to avoid the traditional three-tier option, you could opt for a four-tier cake. However, this may result in too much cake and push you over budget. A creative solution to this is to request taller, slimmer cakes for each tier, which is currently very fashionable.

Another option is to include dummy tiers in your cake design. Dummy tiers are imitation tiers made from styrofoam or polystyrene, decorated to look like the rest of the cake. This allows you to have a larger cake without the waste.

Ultimately, the number of tiers you choose for your wedding cake is up to you and can be tailored to your preferences, guest count, and budget.

Frequently asked questions