The wedding cake, this element of your big day is so important that it has its own moment of glory during the reception. That is why we have titled this post ‘Wedding Cake Project’ because deciding how this confectionery pièce de résistance should look and taste is a project in itself. The first thing to decide is how much of your budget you would like to spend. This will inform your final decision on what the cake will look like, who will bake it, and how many flavors it will contain.

Generally speaking, a wedding cake large enough to feed 100 guests will cost several hundred euros. However, with many couples wanting to use their cakes as a token of their unique taste and style, prices for wedding cakes can soar into the thousands. This may seem like a ridiculous amount – a cake is just flour, eggs, and a little flavoring after all – but keep in mind that a wedding cake can take up to a week to make. Plus, you are paying a skilled baker for his many years of experience.

If you are planning a wild or unusual cake, it is very important to find a supplier with the skill to deliver your dream. Ask whether you are able to have a wedding cake tasting so you can check the flavour and texture of their work. It’s all very well having a cake which wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery but if it’s as dry as sawdust, well, that’s just a waste of your hard earned money.

Supplier location is also an important consideration. Wedding cakes are often delicate and easily damaged in transit. It makes sense that if you’re having a destination wedding, you choose a supplier based close to your wedding venue. Of course this makes planning a little more challenging but many suppliers offer a postal sample service where they can send you slices of your chosen cake for you to try. If you’re working on a tight budget, you can still have a fabulous cake. What if you’re having a small wedding but your heart is set on a 4-tier work of art, iced to perfection? No problem, consider having just one tier which can be cut and served with the remaining layers created from cake inserts, made from polystyrene but decorated to match.

What if you have a huge number of guests to feed but your budget just won’t stretch? Its possible to use the same idea of having a single layer to cut with artificial layers to give the look of a huge cake. In order to offer everyone a slice, have your baker make a number of plain cakes which your venue can cut behind the scenes and serve to the guests.  It’s important that you consider any allergies or dietary requirements of your guests when choosing your cake. One easy way to do this is to have different layers, baked to cater for all. Vegan, fat-free, gluten or dairy free cakes are usually as tasty as their traditional counterparts and are often indistinguishable from a dairy-filled, full fat version. Simply have an allergy and dietary appropriate layer added to your cake. Ask your venue to label each tray of cake so that your guests can choose a slice which is the most appropriate to their requirements.

When it comes to the decoration of your wedding cake, the sky’s the limit. You might choose to walk a very traditional path and serve a fruit cake complete with plain white or ivory frosting. You can keep this extremely minimalistic and sleek or opt for a more elaborate design. This type of cake can look stunning in a contemporary venue and will be timeless in your wedding photographs. You might want to consider matching your cake to your theme with frosting in your chosen colours. The interior of the cake could also be coloured to match, or contrast. If you and your partner can’t agree on a style for the outside decoration for your cake, you could opt for an understated design for the icing with a surprising interior, such as a rainbow coloured cake. 

Half and half of the cakes don’t just have to be applied to the inside of the wedding cake. Choose a multi-layered cake that offers your guests a choice of flavor or texture and extend it to the frosting as well by having one half decorated with a frosting flavor and a different flavor on the other half. There are no rules when it comes to wedding cakes, and cakes are not required to look one way or have a taste. Mimic your wedding day outfit with a couple’s style on one side and your style on the other. Use one side to show a common interest that you share as a couple and one side to make it your standard wedding cake.

We’ve all seen those plastic cake toppers, you know, with a bride and groom sitting on top of the cake. But why limit yourself, especially at same-sex weddings where this type of adornment is not appropriate? Instead of leaving the top layer uncovered, there are now companies that make individualized cake toppers that actually look just like the bride and groom. Some also feature a beloved pet or are more subtle, showing figures engaged in a hobby that is important to the couple. Another lovely idea is to highlight a family member or friend who can’t make it to the wedding by placing a small framed image on top or next to the wedding cake.

What better way to express your individuality than with an amazingly flavored cake. It is the perfect way to make your wedding stand out from the crowd. Serving a cake with a unique flavor will allow you to show your unique style to your guests. If you can’t agree on a single flavor sensation for each layer, why not have each one taste different? A true marriage of your individuality!

• Pink Champagne: Celebrate your big day with a pink champagne flavored cake topped with raspberry mousse and vanilla buttercream. Beautifully summery and light, your guests are sure to love it.
• Grand Marnier: A French-inspired wedding cake enlivened with the citrus flavor of Grand Marnier is a choice for adults. Cognac adds dimension to a simple cake flavor. Adding brandy can also amplify the flavor of a wedding cake.
• Almonds and Hazelnuts: If you’re a fan of rich nutty flavors, an almond hazelnut cake filled with dark chocolate ganache, mocha buttercream, and raspberry jam is a great option.
• Ginger Spices: If you’re having a fall or winter wedding, a rich and tangy cake flavored with spices and ginger will add a warm and warm touch that’s appropriate for the season.
• Spiked Red Velvet: Decadent layers of red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Take your frosting to the next level by pairing cream cheese with delicious amaretto.
• Peanut Butter Cup: Everyone loves a rich chocolate cake. Top this absolute classic with a layer of Peanut Butter Cream and Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache, then top it off with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Of course, a wedding cake doesn’t really need to be a ‘cake’! If you prefer, an alternative may serve. If you are a fan of cakes, you can have a selection of your favorite cakes, placed on a wedding cake stand if you wish. If you don’t have a sweet tooth or want to avoid sugary treats for other reasons, cheese wheels placed one on top of the other and served with fruit and crackers are a great alternative. By now, you should have a good idea of what kind of cake you would like at your wedding. We can’t mention all types and styles of cakes here, but we’d love to hear your ideas. Have a cake story to share? Contact us and let us know!

Lisa Lloyd

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