Wedding guests may come for the bride, but make no mistake—they stay for the cake. Today’s most coveted cakes take their show-stopper status seriously, beguiling guests with originality and ingenuity. From edgy shapes to modern patterns, exquisite adornments to brilliant hues, these cakes make a statement. So just what will your wedding cake say? Well, that’s entirely up to you.
MIX IT UP
Whether you favor a classic round or have your sights set on something with a bit of an edge, today’s most intriguing wedding cakes are those that play with height and angle.
One trend is varied-height tiers. Building wedding cakes that feature traditional shapes such as round layers, but disproportion in terms of thickness of each layer, this creates a balance between classic and contemporary design.
Also in vogue are alternating rounds and squares. It’s an architectural look that can work under the right circumstances. One thing to consider is, in order for such a cake to be structurally sound, the square tiers have to be very large to accommodate rounds on top of them. That might be just fine for a great big wedding. But for a more intimate gathering, brides can consider instead a three-tier cake that features all rounds—a 16-inch and 14-inch round of the same height, with a 10-inch tier that’s one and a half times the height of the others. The variation raises the cake up and catches the eye more.
Or, for a decidedly daring look, consider a square cake with a bit of spin. Bold brides are opting for cakes with squares set askew—a visually arresting style that gives wedding photographers a multitude of great cake angles to work with. Also winning raves, are cakes with vintage or rustic touches that infuse the reception with a sense of whimsy and wonder.
However you choose to stack your cake, reach for the sky. Six- and seven-tier cakes are grand and memorable in any shape.
BEST DRESSED
Modern cake-decorating techniques make it possible to not just create a beautiful cake, but to make that cake an essential part of your reception’s grand design.
Some cake designers choose to use a light touch to craft a modest but magnificent cake that blends harmoniously with other wedding elements.
Often using the pattern in the bride’s gown, or gold thread, or crystals on the fabric. Another favorite is recreating a pattern on the invitation.
Whatever the motif it can be brought out as a subtle hint, rather than an overpowering theme. A favorite decorating tool in achieving this look is petal dust—a pearlized powder that she brushes on at strategic points, to add delicate color and soft shimmer.
There is also a growing trend among brides toward sleek cakes with clean lines. A favorite design is a three-tier cake covered in smooth icing, with a band of satin fondant ribbon wrapped around the base of each tier.
With these sleek cakes most brides choose no cake toppers or flowers. Flowers are used at the base of the cake only.
Fashion-forward brides are choosing cakes with dramatic decorative touches and contemporary, cosmopolitan designs. Among the unique accents that are popular with today’s style-minded brides are jewel-like edible brooches. They add a beautiful focal point to the cake, as well as an air of sophistication.
If you’re a modern bride with a soft spot for fresh flowers, doll up an elegantly dressed cake with simple, oversized flowers. The bold blooms, create that ‘Billie Holiday’ aesthetic, which is so timeless.
COLOR ME “WOW!”
While beautiful bridal white will never go out of style, couples increasingly are embracing color when it comes to their wedding cake palette.
Some of today’s most intriguing color schemes include a bold blend of black, white and yellow. Luminous brushed golds and creams, along with blue-grey and white are the top color trends
Other hot hues popular this season is a mix of metallics and pastels, especially the classic pale blue with gold or even mint green with gold.
Another color trend is ombré. It can be used both on the inside and outside of the cake. For the inside, each layer is tinted a slightly darker (or lighter) than the previous layer, so when the cake is cut, you see the graduated tones.
TASTE SENSATION
And speaking of flavor, let’s not forget that wedding cakes are not just eye candy, they’re also dessert. And the best of the best in modern cakes are as delightful to devour as they are to behold.
A cake isn’t worth the flour it’s made of if it doesn’t taste as good as it looks, and the best way to give a cake flavor is with the batter and the filling. Usually, wedding cake batter is a very simple flavor so that it doesn’t compete with the sweetness of the icing or the filling. The most popular batter for wedding cakes is plain white, but yellow and pound cake have been increasing in popularity. Chocolate is always a popular cake flavor, but it is seen more often in the groom’s cake as opposed to the wedding cake. When you meet with your cake designer, ask them for a sample of their most popular batter flavors. This will give you a better idea of the differences between each, and you’ll be able to select a filling that complements the flavor you ultimately choose.
Cake batter can be any flavor you want, but the filling is what gives a wedding cake its real personality. Filling separates the layers of a cake, and adds additional richness and flavor. It is usually cream or fruit based and depending on the number of tiers, many brides like to select two or three different fillings for their cake. Two of the hottest trends in fillings today are tropical fruit or liqueur infused fillings with everything from Grand Marnier and kumquat to Kahlua and devil’s food.
So now that you know the latest trends in wedding cakes, you are ready to choose the perfect confection for your perfect day.
