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The
traditional wedding cake called for a tiered, white cake with butter cream
frosting. Today, just about anything goes! Wedding cakes come in all different
shapes, styles, flavors, colors and decorations. Your wedding cake should be
individually designed to your match own personal style and taste (no pun
intended!) as well as the wedding decor and color scheme. So, let’s start with
the basics…
Shapes & Sizes -
The
traditional shape of the wedding cake is either round or square. But, don’t
let your imagination stop there. Many shapes are now available to enhance and
give a unique look to your cake. Many bakers offer oval, hexagon and heart
shapes - just to name a few.
Square shaped cakes can be
decorated in the style of gift boxes in beautiful designs with cascading
ribbons. A creative baker can create a magnificent castle or a lighthouse, for a
"seaside" wedding. Keep in mind that a square or round cake can be cut
and served more quickly, easily and will likely serve more guests.
Fancy Flavors -
Having trouble choosing a flavor for
your cake? Choose a multi-flavored cake. They come in so many yummy varieties
from vanilla to chocolate, marble, lemon, carrot, spice and even cheesecake. The
fillings get even more tempting with raspberry, coconut, strawberry, lemon,
mocha and white chocolate cream.
Icing on the
Cake - Most cakes are covered in a soft
white or ivory icing but sometimes pastel pink or peach can be used to match
your wedding colors. You can choose a traditional white, butter cream, cream
cheese, white chocolate icing, or rolled fondant. As the name implies, rolled
fondant is icing that is rolled over the layers of the cake for a completely
smooth and very elegant look.
Another option that looks great
for summertime or outdoor weddings, is the basket weave. This is usually more
expensive because the baker has to actually hand weave the fondant.
Dazzling
Decorations
-
Here, your choices are
endless…Some brides like to take a particular element of the wedding decor and
design the cake around that theme. Bakers can decorate cakes with the look of
embroidery, lace, appliqué or elegant drapes or swags. For instance, many
brides will use the lace or detailing from their wedding gown as a design for
their wedding cake. Bring in a picture of your gown and talk to your baker to
incorporate the lace or pearl beading detail into the cake.
Some choose cascades of fresh or
confectionery flowers or satin ribbons that coordinate with the wedding color
scheme. Some bakers are even painting designs on the cakes for a truly exquisite
look. Cakes can be decorated to match the bride’s china pattern using this
"painted on" technique. Simply breathtaking!
Fresh Flowers
-
When choosing
decorations for your cake, fresh flowers are always a very popular choice. In
addition, fresh flowers are a less expensive alternative than confectionery
flowers because there is less labor involved.
Roses, pansies, petunias, Easter
lilies, tiger lilies, daisies, and orchids are often used. Choose your flowers
for the cake carefully. Roses can wilt very quickly when they are not placed in
water. The cake is set up and arranged sometimes an hour or more before your
guests will arrive. By the time you cut your cake these flowers may not look as
beautiful as when they were first arranged on the cake. Consult with both your
baker and your florist for the best choice of flowers.
The Tiers
-
The tiers of your
wedding cake can be displayed in a variety of ways including three or more
tiers, one on top of each other or set on solid or clear pillars. You can be
creative when it comes to pillars and use champagne glasses filled with flowers.
Some elaborate designs even include bridges or a real fountain!
The Top
-
Many brides are
foregoing the plastic figurines of the bride and groom. Instead, a popular
choice is fresh or silk flowers, candied flowers, sugared fruit, or frosting
flowers. Try a cake top decorated like a gazebo - very charming!
On the Side
-
Most cakes are delicious
enough to stand alone, but who can resist a delicious raspberry sauce, fruit
sorbet, or chocolate covered strawberries? A nice touch is to place chocolate
covered strawberries around the base of the cake. One couple actually chose to
feed each other a chocolate-covered strawberry rather than the slice of cake.
Final Thoughts
-
Your wedding cake should
be as individual as you are. Choose your baker carefully - because your wedding
should taste as good as it looks!
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