In this edition of the Wedding Traditions blog series, I want to look at one of the things I love to talk about the most.. Wedding Cakes!

I’m known for being a chatterbox, but once you get me started on wedding cakes, then there really is no stopping me! I love talking styles, flavours, toppers and I love bringing into vision the cake that a bride has in her head. You can take a look at the cake portfolio here >>>

So, let’s look at the history behind Wedding Cakes, why they’re such an important part of any wedding and how styles have changed in the years since Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey was born.

Cutting the Cake at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire

In Roman & Medieval times, Wedding Cakes were actually piles of buns, not the fabulous sugar confections we create today. They appeared to be a superstitious lot in those times, as the idea was to stack the buns as high as possible, with the Bride & Groom trying to share a kiss over the top of the tower without it falling over. If they were successful, the couple would have a prosperous life.

Knowing how tall some of the cakes I’ve been commissioned to make have been, I’m pleased this superstition isn’t observed these days, as the sets of ladders needed by the happy couple would spoil any photos!

Tall 5 tier wedding cake with sugar flowers between the tears

Roman guests were invited to break a wheat or barley cake over the Bride’s head, showering her in luck.. and crumbs…!

Medieval guests took things a little further.

They threw cake at the couple, for good luck and fertility apparently. They would then gather up as many crumbs of cake as they could to take into their own homes for some of the same good luck.

The first sweet Wedding Cake is known as Banbury Cake, which became popular in 1655

3 tier Semi Naked Wedding Cake with silk flowers at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire

In the 1800’s it became a custom to have silver or gold charms baked into the cake. These would have been rich fruit cakes at that time. Our modern love of flavoured Sponge cakes was a long way off. Each charm had its own meaning and whoever found that charm could look forward to being blessed with whatever the charm represented.

Wedding Bells were a sign of marriage.
A heart signified true love
A rocking chair foretold of a long life, while a high chair meant that children were part of that person’s future.

Thankfully, this tradition hasn’t moved into the 21st century.
Can you imagine the health and safety issues of putting something that could be easily swallowed into a cake these days…! Still a lovely sentiment that you could always think about incorporating into your day in some way.

5 tier Monochrome Wedding Cake, in a traditional style

The Victorians introduced the ‘White’ Wedding Cake.

Sugar was a very expensive commodity in those times, so the whiter the cake was, the wealthier the family would appear to their guests. This also applied to the number of tiers too. The bigger the cake, the richer the family seemed White cakes were also known as ‘Bride’s Cake’ as the colour was a symbol of her purity.

Early traditions saw the Bride cut the cake on her own too, in reference to the loss of her virginity. The cutting of the cake eventually became a two person job, to represent the couple’s first unified act.

I bet you didn’t know there was so much history around the cake. I love seeing how these traditions have passed through time and wonder what the story will be like in 100 years time, of the way we now have wedding cakes at weddings.

Wedding cake designs have changed so much over the past 25 years.

4 Tier Wedding Cake with Ruffle decoration sugar flower cascade at Osmaston Park, Derbyshire

Today’s trends

New, exciting trends have appeared over the years and new ideas still keep coming which is what makes wedding cakes so amazing to work with.  Like the Cupcake Tower for instance, a style that peaked in 2017.

Cupcake Tower with Top Tier at Swancar Farm Country House Nottinghamshire

That was around the time that I introduced ruffles to my world. I’m very pleased to say that the ruffle style of decoration is still going strong. In fact an element of ruffle is being requested more and more in my cake designs, and are definitely my signature look. I love getting lost in many hours of ruffle creation!

Reveal Wedding Cake, with Superhero designs 

Reveal cakes and colourful wedding cakes have played a part in the variety of wedding cake styles and they can be a lovely way to include your joint passions in one of the major elements of your wedding design.

Semi Naked wedding cakes have definitely overtaken their Naked forerunners. I’m pretty happy about that to be honest, as the Semi Naked style offers more protection to the sponges beneath. If you’d like to read more about the differences between Naked & Semi Naked wedding cakes, there’s another blog dedicated to them.. Click here to read more

I’m absolutely thrilled that traditional designs are being requested more and more.

These styles speak to my soul, and as you know if you’ve read my blogs and social media posts before, I LOVE making sugar flowers, which can sit perfectly on any cake style, but seem to be a match made in heaven for a more traditional look.

 

Our diary for 2022, 2023 and beyond is open, so if you’d like to check availability for your date, chat about your ideas for your wedding wish list and about your wedding cake too, then drop me an email, give me a call or message me through our social media feeds.

I love talking about all things wedding, so let’s get our heads together and start talking about how we can help you create your dream day

Love Jo x