Luckily, some traditions change over the years. For example, the wedding cake was not always eaten by guests – but broken over the bride’s head!
 
No joke: in Roman times, a small loaf of cake was broken over the bride’s head at the end of the ceremony. The wheat in the cake symbolized fertility and good luck for the couple.
 
Cakes are no longer simple wheat cakes, but beautifully created pieces of art available in multitudes of flavors with various frostings. Today’s cakes are personalized and unique to the couple and the theme of the wedding.
 
Cake Trends
One of the latest trends in wedding cakes is sparkle. Jewels that once adorned the bride’s gown are now being placed onto the cake.
 
Wedding cakes are becoming more elaborate. To add sparkle, cakes are accented with Swarovski crystals and jewels. The look can also be achieved through frostings that have an opalescent shimmer or through ribbon with glitter accents.
 
While fresh flowers continue to be popular cake décor, many are using pastillage, a sugar dough used to make handmade decorations. Pastillage flowers often appear to be real, yet are edible. They are a delicate creation that only an experienced, professional cake artist can make properly.
 
Another trend is the return of the groom’s cake, a tradition from years ago and popular in the southern states. Groom’s cakes are usually smaller, darker (often chocolate) cakes. They often resemble a tuxedo or a hobby of the groom, such as a cake in the shape of a football for the sports enthusiast. They can be served during the groom’s dinner the evening before the wedding, as they traditionally were served, or at the wedding.
 
According to superstition, unwed wedding guests looking to find their mate should take a piece of the groom’s cake home and place it under their pillow; that very night they will have dreams of their future spouse.
 
Cake Tips
Because the cake is the wedding reception centerpiece, you’ll want to find a talented cake artist. When shopping for a baker, don’t forget the most important part: taste testing! Not only is it fun, it’s essential. You want to make sure that your baker not only makes beautiful cakes, but tasty cakes.
 
When planning the cake, you’ll be faced with several decisions: what shape, how many tiers, what flavors, what type of frosting, what colors, what cake topper and the list goes on. When discussing cake costs make sure that all fees are discussed, including the creation of handmade decorations and delivery and setup of the cake. Cakes are typically priced on a “per serving” basis, often between $2-6 per piece or more. To save costs, some couples have a smaller showpiece cake and sheetcakes. Simple cakes with few accessories will typically be less expensive as well.
 
Bring magazine clippings of cakes you like to your cake baker. By having an idea of what you want, planning your wedding cake will be, well, a piece of cake!

Filed under: Cakes & Desserts