WEDDING CAKE ADVICE
Wedding cake
When we think of a wedding cake, most of us imagine the traditional tiered fruitcake with white icing and perhaps some delicate fresh or sugar flowers. While this traditional wedding cake remains popular, there are plenty of other wedding cake styles to choose from. A contemporary wedding cake design might feature coloured icing and detailed sugar decoration to fit the colour scheme and style of the wedding, also for some time now fashionable wedding themes have included modern vintage wedding cakes and 'shabby chic' designs. Beautiful soft shades of dusky pink and sage greens, light golds, lace, victoriana and flowers. Piped lace work patterns taken from the brides dress are also popular, along with shimmery white cakes with beautiful sugar flowers that combine the classic styles of vintage and modern. If you are having a vintage themed wedding, think about using a range of different vintage props to give your wedding an eclectic and individual feel.
Of course, there are wonderful alternatives to the tiered wedding cake. A cupcake wedding cake is increasingly popular and means that you can give each guest their own individual cake. You might even decide to ice names on each cake and use them as place cards! When making your choice, always consider the style of your wedding. A traditional, grand stately home venue is just the place to see a wonderful white wedding cake, while a country barn could be the ideal setting for a pretty arrangement of cupcakes adorned with sugar flowers. Also, consider what your guests will enjoy eating. A rich, heavy chocolate wedding cake is just the thing for a cosy winter wedding, while a lighter sponge wedding cake might be more suited for summer.
Wedding cake flavours
As well as looking fabulous, you want your wedding cake to taste delicious! Fruit cake will always be a popular choice, especially with more traditional guests. It's also worth considering that fruitcake has a much longer life and will last for quite some time after the big day. Of course, if you're having a tiered wedding cake, each tier can have a different filling. Perhaps you might like the idea of carrot, chocolate, plain sponge or even lemon wedding cake - a great idea for giving guests choice, and also if you're planning on serving your wedding cake for pudding.
Find a wedding cake designer
As with most suppliers, the best way to find the perfect wedding cake maker is by recommendation. It's also a great idea to visit wedding fairs and exhibitions where many wedding cake designers show their wedding cake designs. Before you even consider making a booking, make sure they specialise in the type of wedding cake you're looking for. Someone who makes a chocolate wedding cake or croquembouche won't necessarily have the skills to create an artistic novelty cake. It's important to see photographs of their work, and to have a taste. When deciding upon your style, always ask advice. A good wedding cake designer will be able to take inspiration from your ideas and the style of your wedding and come up with a sketch to enable you to finalise your wedding cake design.
The wedding cake on the day
On your wedding day, it's important to make sure the wedding cake can be seen by all your guests. The wedding cake can be a real focal point of a room so don’t hide it away in the corner - make sure it gets all the fuss it deserves! When it comes to cutting your wedding cake, if you'd like to serve it for pudding, you'll need to scrap tradition and cut it before sitting down to eat, giving enough time for it to be divided in to portions. Equally, if this is to be your pudding, it's a good idea to accompany the wedding cake with fruit coulis, ice cream or hot toffee sauce. If you're having the wedding cake later on in the day, traditionally it's cut after the speeches. And finally...don't forget to save or send a precious piece of wedding cake to any guests who were unable to join you on the day!
