Your wedding cake is a great opportunity to make a statement about who you are as a couple. In the same way you design your bridal outfits and flowers and even your wedding vows to reflect your personal style and tastes, you should aim to do the same with your wedding cake. It is a crucial part of your wedding event and should have pride of place in your reception.
Centuries ago your wedding cake would have been made of wheat which is a symbol of fertility and future wealth. As a fertility rite, the cake would have been thrown at the bride! Interesting!
These days however your cake is less about fertility and more about a reflection of the themes of your wedding which in turn reflect both of your personalities. And we can do away with wheat. Contemporary wedding cake makers of course offer a wide range of decorations that can look amazing on the outside and ingredients that taste fantastic on the inside.
So how do you go about creating this personalized piece of sheer indulgence?
In your initial planning consider the following tips:-
Your personalized theme:
It is suggested that you decide on the theme of your bridal outfits and reception décor first, and then organise your cake to reflect this. Having decided how your cake fits into your own theme, will help to shape the discussion with your cake designer and make the whole process smoother and less pressure.
Remember also the sooner you know your theme, the sooner you will have some ideas about your cake and the sooner you book your cake the greater the chance of you having exactly what you want. Plan early.
Budget:
The size of your cake will obviously be dependant on the number of people you are inviting to your big day and your budget. Again along with the theme, these details will help your cake designer to advise you of your options and help ensure you have the cake you would really like.
On a low budget? Well there is room for improvisation. You can order a small cake and have sheet cakes which can be made of the same flavour to serve. The whole set of tiers do not have to be made of real cake. Your designer will show you how to cut costs.
Dessert or guest takeaway:
Do you want your cake to be the main dessert of the meal or do you want your guests to be able to take a slice home with them?
So you know your themes and your budget, below are some things you may wish to discuss with your cake designer.
Fantastic Insides……
There are m
any different types of cake to choose from. Classic wedding cakes are traditionally made from rich fruit soaked in brandy for many weeks and covered with marzipan and sugar paste. Although many couples are choosing cakes other than traditional cakes, remember a tier of the cake can be kept to use for an anniversary or for the birth of your first child. Contemporary wedding cakes may be made of fresh Madeira cake or a moist succulent carrot cake with a cream cheese filling. These ingredients are light and easy on the stomach.
Chocolate wedding cakes are the ultimate in indulgence, a tier of which could be combined with either tiers of the classic or modern style cake types. Finally you may wish to dispense with a single, tiered cake and provide imaginative, individual cup cakes.
Bear in mind, a number of flavours in competition maybe distracting. Some flavours are overbearing like chocolate. Make sure you can taste subtle flavours like almonds.
In many ways the sky is the limit but use your designer to help you to see what is possible.
Whichever cake you finally decide on make sure your designer has offered you samples of the different cakes available and have lots of fun tasting them. You can’t obviously satisfy the tastes of all your guests so choose the one that makes your mouth water! Here’s a little something to ponder….. Marie Antoinette a famous French Queen was reputed to have flippantly said “Let them eat cake” when the peasants had no bread to eat. Well as the Queen at your feast here’s a variation – Let them eat my cake! As it’s your special day, your guests will no doubt happily join you in your indulgence.
…And Amazing outsides
With the trend towards personalizing cakes, many couples are choosing to use a whole range of uniquely personal symbols on their cakes. Your hobbies and interests can be a source of imagination. Are you golf fanatics? Do you both share a passion for Star Trek? Did you meet at an unusual place and have a symbol for this? Obviously the colours and themes from your overall reception can also be used. A good designer will make every effort to realize your creativity. Check if using fresh flowers whether they have been sprayed with pesticides and which ingredients are likely to melt.
Cake toppers are a way to accentuate your cake. Whether you use a figurine, traditional, sugar flowers or your own personal symbol, your cake topper can be used for dramatic effect – have fun with it. Designers can show you previous work to get some ideas.
It’s your day, do it your way.
Presentation
Many cake designers consider their cakes to be works of art. Indeed the time, effort and passion involved would make them worthy of that accolade. With this in mind your specially created work of art should have a special table in your reception. Your cake not only says something about the people who created it but more importantly about you. It will rank high as one of the things people will remember when they recall your wedding. Decorate the table with your theme. Colours flowers and symbols reflect this. Sumptuous fabrics create elegance. Round tables for round cakes, rectangular tables for rectangular cakes.
In planning your special day be no less meticulous in your hunt for a great cake designer than you would for your dressmaker or photographer. The cutting of your cake is a special ceremony, make sure you find someone who can create something you will enjoy looking at and relish eating.
(And don’t forget to ask your photographer to take a picture of the cake!)