Bridal
The wedding cake: history and traditions
Tiers of white icing, a knife held by two pairs of hands, a first slice shared. The wedding cake is one of the most familiar moments of any reception, and one of the oldest.
A wedding cake is more than a dessert. It is a centrepiece, a photograph, a ritual and, for many couples, one of the most enjoyable decisions of the whole planning process. Tasting cakes together is a rare wedding task that almost nobody minds. Behind the frosting lies a long and surprisingly varied history.
Ancient beginnings
Wikipedia's article on the wedding cake notes that the first wedding cakes were probably made in ancient Greece, and that Roman weddings also appear to have involved the eating of a wedding cake by the bride and bridegroom. It explains that, traditionally, wedding cakes were made to bring good luck to all the guests and the couple, whereas today they are more of a centrepiece and are not always even served.
The same article describes how, in early modern Europe, the "bride's pie" was served at most weddings, a dish quite different from the sweet cake familiar today. Over time the pie gave way to the cake, which grew in size and splendour.
Tiers and icing
According to Wikipedia, wedding cakes in England and early America were traditionally fruit cakes, often tiered and topped with marzipan and icing, and the size of a cake became a sign of celebration and social standing. It also describes a medieval English custom in which cakes were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over, a successful kiss promising a prosperous life together.
Today's cakes use a wide range of ingredients and finishes. Wikipedia mentions marzipan, fondant, gum paste, buttercream and chocolate among the popular ones, and notes that modern bakers often design a cake to reflect the personalities of the couple. Fillings, flavours and decorations are now limited only by imagination.
Cutting the cake
Wikipedia notes that cutting the cake was an important part of the reception in England and early America, and it remains one of the most photographed moments of a wedding. Couples usually hold the knife together and cut the first slice as a shared act, often feeding each other a small bite. It is a small ritual that carries a simple meaning: the first task undertaken together as a married couple.
Some couples keep the top tier to eat on their first anniversary, a custom that fits nicely with the anniversary traditions described in anniversaries and vow renewals.
Cakes for small weddings
A small wedding does not need a towering cake. A single elegant tier, a pair of small cakes, a platter of individual pastries or a local speciality can be every bit as special. Wikipedia notes that some cakes are built with only one edible tier for the couple to share, though this is uncommon.
For an elopement or a wedding for two, consider a beautiful small cake from a local bakery, enjoyed on a terrace with a view. It is a lovely way to mark the moment.
Cakes for destination weddings
If you are marrying abroad, the cake needs a little extra thought:
- Heat. Buttercream and some icings soften in hot, humid weather. Ask the baker which finishes hold up well outdoors, and keep the cake in the shade until the last moment.
- Local bakers. Transporting a cake from home is rarely practical. Choose a local baker, and ask your planner for recommendations.
- Local flavours. Embrace the destination. Tropical fruits, local nuts, regional pastries or a traditional celebration cake can give the wedding a sense of place.
- Tasting from afar. If you cannot taste in person before the wedding, ask for detailed descriptions and photographs, or arrive a few days early to taste on site.
Cakes around the world
Many cultures have their own wedding sweets, from towers of pastries to layered honey cakes to sweets distributed to every guest. Incorporating one from your family's heritage is a lovely way to honour tradition. The guide to theme weddings has ideas on including customs thoughtfully.
A sweet ending
However grand or simple, a wedding cake is a moment of sweetness shared with the people you love. Choose flavours you both enjoy, a style that suits the setting, and a size that suits your guest list. For more wedding traditions, see a short history of the white gown and wedding music.