History of the Wedding Cake
The tradition began in Ancient Rome, but not a wedding cake as we know and love today. It was made of wheat and barley, and rather than cutting the wedding cake; it was broken over the bride's head to symbolise good fortune for the happy couple in the future together.
Later in the 16th century, the wedding pie was born, a savory pastry filled with an assortment of oysters, lamb fries, and pine kernels.
Alongside the filling was a glass ring waiting for the lucky unmarried lady, the surprise symbolising that she would be the next to marry.
The 17th century created two cakes, the grooms and the bride's cake. Over time this tradition shifted to the one cake, the bride cake, evolving from the savory pie to a pound cake with white icing. Sometimes the icing being inedible.
During the 19th century, sugar became more available to couples, and (edible) icing was used by more couples to decorate the bride's cake, which we now know as the wedding cake, symbolising purity and virginity.
Fact - In 1882 Queen Victoria's son, Prince Leopld, Duke of Albany was the first wedding cake with fully edible white icing.
Thankfully, wedding cakes have changed over the years, as have the glass ring's traditions in the savory pie to the flower bouquet for the unmarried ladies.
Wedding cake Styles
There are many wedding cake styles and sizes you can choose from, especially when it comes to your wedding cake shape.
Brides are now choosing to have a coloured cake or naked cake, stepping away slightly from the traditional white wedding cake.
You can even throw tradition aside and choose a wedding cake alternative; there are many modern styles you can choose from that can personal to you both.
Macarons
Colourful tiers of delicious chewy flavours. You could personalise these delicate French treats further with your initials or lightly brush with edible gold paint.
Cupcakes
That you won't want to eat! Not only do they look beautiful, but you can also get creative with different sponge flavours and buttercream fillings to wow your guests.
Wedding Biscuits / Cookies
Individual cookies or a larger arrangement both are a great alternative for the dessert table.
Donuts
You could create a beautiful tower, wall or a platter of decorated donuts.
Wedding cake toppers
A wedding cake topper is not always necessary, more of a personal choice.
Here are a few styles if you do fancy a wedding cake topper.
- Monogram with your wedding logo, this might be your initials or even a symbol
- Elegant calligraphy with your new joint surname
- A floral display
If a cake topper is not for you, sparklers whilst cutting the cake as extra decoration is always a lovely addition to the moment.
Wedding cake tasting
One of the most favourite wedding planning tasks!
Once you have narrowed down to roughly four-six options, you are ready to start tasting.
Some of our favourites are vanilla, piña colada and coconut, not forgetting the red velvet sponge!
The more tiers you have, the more flavours you can have for your wedding cake.
Tip from ARW - Remember to eat a little before the cake tasting meeting and to drink water between each flavour.
Take notes and ask many questions, enjoy the moment as what is there not to love?
Not only is the wedding cake a beautiful work of art, it also symbolises a new life together as a married couple.
Wedding cake pricing is dependant on your chosen vendor, size, and design.
ARW Events would love to support you with your destination wedding in Portugal.
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