Wedding Cakes: The Reception Focal Point

Generally placed in a prominent position at the reception is the wedding cake. They come in all shapes and sizes, normally with three layers finished with wedding cake toppers. Most wedding cakes are white and beautifully presented with tasteful decorations.

Choosing the right wedding cake by the bride and groom can be difficult given the wide choice of sizes, styles, flavors and toppers. Fortunately, bakers can make the task of choosing wedding cakes much easier. Most bakers have a portfolio of cakes they have made in the past as well as catalogs of wedding cake toppers and even more design ideas. Wedding cake stands are also an important item, they should be strong and stable but attractive.

The best part is that many bakers will allow the bride and groom (or the bride and some close chosen friends or family members) to taste each flavor of cake and icing to be able to pick the flavors they enjoy the most to add to the many wedding cake designs.

Traditional wedding cake designs will be iced in white or light cream colored butter cream frosting. The cake would be vanilla pound cake, and would stand at least three tiers high depending on the number of guests. Traditional wedding cakes are often decorated with piped white frosting and silver or gold edible beads.

Floral wedding cakes will often be frosted in white, cream, or a very pale pastel colored frosting and decorated with candied or fresh edible flowers. Some cakes may even be made with flower flavored cakes or icings if desired. Lavender is a popular flavoring for deserts.

Contemporary cake designs will use fondant to create beautiful unique designs on the cake which can be decorated with food coloring paint, colored fondant pieces, and frosting to create a truly unique look to a wedding cake.

Personalized wedding cakes are increasingly popular. The cake can be frosted with colors which coordinate with what the wedding party will be wearing or the colors of which the reception area is decorated. Other touches such as fondant bows, candy pearls, or other special touches can be added to make the cake match the wedding theme if desired.

The baker will need to know a few things in addition to the style of cake the couple will want for their wedding. These things include the date and time of the reception, flavor of the cake, flavor of the frosting, number of guests to be served, and which topper is finally chosen.

The flavors can be decided quite easily by tasting what the bakers have available. A new trend is to offer as many flavors of cake as there are layers to the wedding cake. The date and time of the wedding is important because certain types of cake (like ice cream) or frosting (such as cream cheese) may not hold up as well in warm temperatures.

The number of guests at the wedding should dictate the number of layers of the cake as well as the size of the layers. Each baker should have a cake chart for the bride and groom to view and pick the best choice for their wedding cake. They need to remember a small top layer to keep in the freezer to share later when the frenzy is over!

Generally, you find the wedding cake placed centrally on the main table, right in front of the bride and groom. This gave the guests a good view of the cake, but many of them could hardly see the happy couple!

Traditionally, it is usual for the bride and groom to cut the cake at the end of the meal, here is probably a more practical alternative solution. If the cake is displayed in the reception area close to the guests,bride and groom, instead of the normal position where the main meal is taken, there are advantages. Guests have the opportunity to admire the cake close up, and also gives the official photographer time to get some excellent wedding cake photos.