Wedding cakes go back in tradition as far as weddings. The Greeks baked mixtures of grain and honey, the Romans did theirs with grain and salt. The elaborate, tiered cakes we know today came from the era of the pioneer bride. Her popularity was judged by the size of her cake. Guests used to bring layers of cake filled with applesauce, stack them, and then they were iced. The higher the stacks, the more popular the bride.
The bride’s cake traditionally is a 3-tiered white sponge cake, frosted in white or buttercream iccing. Tradition however has crumbled.
Photo: Vanstone Studios, Windsor, Ontario
Wedding cakes now come in all shapes and sizes. Brides are choosing cakes in chocolate, rum, strawberry, spice, carrot, cheesecake and a variety of other unique and awesome flavours. Cake fillings are as many and as varied as cake flavours. Whenever possible, taste the combinations you are considering to see if they complement each other well. The cake you choose can be simple or a real dazzler.
Photo: Vanstone Studios, Windsor, Ontario
Your cake top can be a personal expression, as well. Traditionally, a bride and groom rest upon the cake. Cascading fresh or silk flowers, delicate blown glass tops, stunning monogrammed initials and fun, clay brides and grooms can be seen on today’s cakes.
Choose your baker by viewing their design album and sampling their flavours, when possible. Be sure to select your baker months in advance. The baker will need to know the date, location and time of your reception and how many guests the cake needs to serve. Many cakes require assembly by the baker at the reception site, so allow time for this.
Your baker will require a deposit to hold your wedding date. Be sure to get a receipt describing the type of cake you’ve ordered, its filling, icing, style, colour and cake top, if it’s coming from the baker. Also, call and confirm your cake order a week before your wedding day. When you verify your order, be sure to confirm all the information you originally provided to the baker. You want the cake that arrives to be exactly what you expect.
The Groom’s cake is a trend that is being brought back after a long hiatus. It is a gift to the groom from the bride and typically has to do with his hobby or something that is near and dear to him. This cake is traditionally servedat the rehearsal dinner, with your wedding party, family and intimate friends.
In addition to your cake, your sweets can create lasting memories at your reception. There is more to nuptial desserts than wedding cake. A sweet table is everything to dessert-lovers- and a good choice for couples who want to serve more than just their wedding cake. Don’t overlook the special touch that customized chocolates can add to the cake table. Elaborate cupcakes and cake pops are hot trends today that are not only tasty, but add to the theme and colour palette of your day. They add fun to your menu.
Many confectioners will customize chocolates and truffles engraved with your initials and wedding date. Candies combined with flowers and netting or ribbon will make lovely table decorations or centrepieces, as well as a favour for your guests to take away with them.
Dessert bars are all the rage at wedding receptions with your choice of specialty coffees, gelato, ice cream, waffles, S’mores -virtually anything that you want to wow your guests with. Fruit and pastry tables or customized crepe bars are well received by your guests, later in your festivities.
It is customary to save the top layer of your wedding cake and a few of your confections to mark your anniversary for you and your groom to share on your first anniversary.
