Elegant Wedding Cakes

One of the highlights of the 2017 Cake International Show held at London’s Alexandra Palace was a life size cake replica of a couture wedding gown designed by Mak Tumang.  This stunning replica cake was the creation of Emma Jayne Cake Design who used fondant and modeling paste to recreate the applique flowers and the exquisite details of the illusion back.

Brides-to-be who are mesmerized by the beauty of this cake can take inspiration to have their own wedding cake designed to mirror their wedding dresses, albeit on a smaller, less flamboyant, scale, or choose to mirror one detail of their dress, such as a bow or ruffled skirt, in cake form.

Lace-Up-Back Wedding Cake

One of the most enduring and popular features of wedding dresses is the strapless bodice with a lace-up corset back, as illustrated in the MB 423W lace-up-back wedding dress with a ball gown silhouette. This lace-up closure feature can be mirrored on a wedding cake with the ribbons accentuated in colored fondant against the white icing of the cake. The lace-up ribbons can be a feature running through the tiers of cake as showcased in this image of a stunning cake.

Ruffled Wedding Cakes

Fantasy wedding dresses are replete with romantically ravishing ruffles as seen in the MB 433W ruffled skirt wedding dress with a ruffled ball gown skirt. The organza ruffles can be replicated as a decorative feature on a wedding cake, as a delicate sugar adornment on a tier, or as a ruffled finish cascading down one side of the cake.  Ruffles adorning cap sleeves and one-shoulder necklines can be replicated in the same way as a decorative feature on a wedding cake. The ruffles can be created in a different color to the rest of the cake, perhaps reflecting the color of the flowers in the bride’s bouquet.

Beaded Wedding Cakes

Intricate beading is a signature look on many wedding dresses, adding texture and shimmer. Bodices are embellished with delicate beading as seen in the MB 713W beaded wedding dress, showcasing a beaded illusion bodice and a flowing chiffon A-line skirt. Scattered beads are used to embellish skirts, while pearls and crystals are used to accentuate necklines. Edible pearls can be used as decorative features on wedding cakes and edible beads can be used to adorn the top tier of a cake.

Chandelier Beaded Wedding Cakes

Chandelier beading is often used to embellish the illusion backs on wedding dresses or to accentuate off-the-shoulder straps. The Allure Bridals W390 sparkle tulle wedding gown features exquisite chandelier beading insetting the deep V-back. This chandelier beading can be mirrored on wedding cakes, using fondant beads or actual glass beads as additional decoration.

Lace Inspired Wedding Cakes

You can choose a wedding cake created to replicate the lace fabric of your wedding dress. Lace is always a lovely choice as a wedding dress fabric as it has very feminine and has romantic overtones. If you are choosing a lace wedding gown such as the MB 445W lace wedding dress with a delicately scalloped hemline, you may wish to mirror the lace theme in your wedding cake. Cakes can be created with a floral lace look or with a vintage lace decoration.  You can have a cake bordered with a lace effect that mirrors the hemline of your dress or opt for a whimsical lace look perhaps inspired by your bridal veil.

Bows on Wedding Cakes

Bows are a popular feature on wedding dresses. Detachable satin sashes often tie in bows on the back waistline or delicate flat bow belts are used to accentuate a waistline as shown in the MB 451W lace-up with a bow wedding dress, embellished with lace appliques.  Bows are also a popular addition to wedding cakes, using either actual ribbon bows to delineate the tiers or as fondant bows used as decorations. Bows create the image of a present waiting to be unwrapped, evoking images of a delicious filling to the cake. Sugar bows can wrap around the cake or be used as an elaborate top adornment in place of traditional toppers. They can be used to add a splash of color or glammed up with the addition of a beaded center.

Whether you choose to have a wedding cake created as a replica of your wedding gown or if you simply choose to take one detail of your dress and recreate it on the cake, you can take inspiration from these fascinating ideas.

Many thanks to the Madame Bridal’s photos of their affordable wedding dresses for use of their photographs.

One wedding trend that shows no sign of abating is the increasingly popular choice of forgoing the traditional tiered wedding cake with toppers, in favor of something temptingly different. Maybe a couple just isn’t that into cake or maybe alternative choices better express the uniqueness of their wedding. Couples may hesitate to blow such a large chunk of their wedding budget on a traditional cake, especially if it comes with additional charges such as a cake cutting fee applied by the venue. While wedding cakes will always be the first choice for traditional couples there is a wealth of exciting alternatives to consider.

Cupcake Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake breakaway trend started with tiers of exquisitely decorated individual cupcakes. Wedding cupcakes are a great way of catering to a range of guests as you can opt for different flavors and unique toppings. A cupcake display can be artfully arranged to take center place and couples who want to stick with the tradition of keeping the top layer of cake for their anniversary can opt for a cupcake display with a small cake on top. Cupcakes represent a huge saving over a wedding cake. They can even be home baked and decorated, while the challenges of a home-made wedding cake may require too much expertise.

Wheels of Cheese

Stacked wheels of different cheeses decorated with foliage and candied grapes, or fresh fruit such as figs and pears, are a marvellous alternative to cake and will appeal to cheese lovers. Cheese wheels as a wedding cake are particularly on trend in British weddings where celebrating with cheese wheels has reached an art form. Cheese wedding cakes can be rustic or elegant in appearance, but are always tasty. They are particularly suited to farm or vineyard weddings.

Wedding Cake Pops

Pop the cake on a stick with wedding cake pops. These decorated mini cakes on sticks are a fun alternative to traditional wedding cake and can be customized to a wedding theme. Cake pops are mess free and guest friendly. Bride and groom cake pops are one lollypop style option.  Children will particularly love wedding cake pops as their cuteness is so adorable.

Ice Cream Food Trucks

Couples who like to think outside the box can opt for an ice cream food truck or an ice cream cart to cater the traditional part of the wedding that is preserved for the cake cutting.  Ice cream is a delicious choice that works particularly well at summery outdoor weddings. An ice cream cart may not be as traditional as wedding cake but it is certainly a nostalgic option. Some vendors can tailor their product to your wedding theme, offering custom designed labels to top the ice cream or by offering a custom designed flavor just for your wedding. For couples looking for a chilled out wedding ice cream food trucks are cool.

Other Alternatives to Wedding Cakes

Other great choices to take center stage instead of a traditional wedding cake include drizzled donut towers, tiered macaroon stands and tiers of assorted miniature pies with favorite fillings. Chocolate covered strawberries are a sophisticated alternative while chocolate fountains are a big hit with chocolate lovers. Whatever sweet delights take a couples fancy can be transformed into a masterpiece of confection when it is presented stylishly.