A wedding cake is the traditional cake served to the guests at a wedding reception (or in parts of England, at a wedding breakfast) after a wedding. In modern Western culture, it is usually a large cake, multi-layered or tiered, and heavily decoratedwith icing, usually over a layer of marzipan or fondant. Achieving a dense, strong cake that can support the decorations while remaining edible can be considered the epitome of the baker’s art and skill. The average cost of a professionally made wedding cake in the U.S. in 2005 was $543.^[1]

The wedding cake is a tradition that began back in the Roman Empire. At the time, it was a loaf of bread that the groom broke over the bride’s head as a symbol of his dominance in the marriage and over her.^{[dubious – discuss]} The color of the cake is typically white to symbolize purity. The action of the bride and groom cutting the cake is meant to symbolize their first joint task in married life. The gesture of feeding cake to one another is a symbol of the commitment the bride and groom are making.

[edit]Symbolism

One of the earliest forms of the wedding cake is the French Croquembouche. The legend of this cake says that a pastry chef, visiting medieval England, witnessed their tradition of piling sweet rolls between the bride and groom which they would attempt to kiss over without knocking them all down. The pastry chef then went back to France and piled sweet rolls up into a tower to make the first Croquembouche.^[2]

[edit]History of the modern cake

the modern wedding cake was inspired by this church steeple in London

Far from being a historic institution, the modern wedding cake was a creation of the 20th century. The sugar paste frosting used on many wedding cakes was invented in 1888.^[3] The pillars, used to support tiers of layer cake, were developed in 1902.^[3]

[edit]Modern adaptations

A contemporary wedding cake.

Wedding cake toppers are small models that sit on top of the cake, normally a representation of a bride and groom in formal wedding attire. This custom was dominant in US weddings in the 1950s where it represented the concept of togetherness.^[4]Wedding toppers today are often figures that indicate shared hobbies or other passions, if they are used at all.^[4]

In the United Kingdom, the traditional wedding cake is made from a rich fruitcake, although many modern cakes now consist of either vanilla sponge, chocolate sponge or carrot cake. Most cakes are between three and five tiers in height. Among some more elaborate cakes the United Kingdom see are those prepared for the Royal Weddings. These cakes are actually decorated boxes with the fruit cake cut into portions on the inside, allowing them to be easily served to hundreds of guests.^{[dubious – discuss]}

Another trend is for wedding cupcakes. To imitate the tiers of a wedding cake, the cupcakes are placed on a stand and decorated in the wedding colors.

Wedding cakes can also be decorated with flowers.

What to Find out from your Wedding Cake Baker or Designer

Create a wedding cake that will be as talked about as your reception!

Not many of us interview bakers for a living, so it is only natural that we might feel stumped as to what to ask potential bakers and cake designers when we are interviewing them for our wedding cake. Here are a few questions that will help you find out what you need to know before you make your decision.

• Can we see your portfolio of your previous work?
• Is it possible to have a tasting of various wedding cake flavors and fillings?
• Do you have at least three references whom we can contact?
• Are you comfortable creating a custom wedding cake or are there a set number of designs and styles from which we can choose?
• What is your pricing like and how flexible is it? Is there a price list that I can consult?
• Do your prices include such items as caketoppers, stands, tiers, fountains, and cutters or are they charged as extras? If I change flavors or fillings will it change the price?
• If my cake requires fresh flowers, will you contact my florist, do you have one or your own or must I provide you with the flowers myself?
• What ingredients do you typically use? What kind of icing do you use? (Better ingredients will cost more, but will make the cake taste better)
• Can you make peanut-free or other allergen-free (eggs, milk, gluten, etc…) cakes?
• Will the cake be prepared the day of the wedding or before hand? If so, how long before the wedding will it be prepared and how will it affect the taste? Ideally the cake should be prepared as close to the wedding day as possible as it will taste freshest, but be wary of anyone who says that they bake the wedding cake on the wedding day. Wedding cakesare so intricate that they require several days of preparation and anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or inexperienced. Most cakes take anywhere between three to five days to prepare.
• Can you give me a written proposal to take home?
• How much for delivery? Will the delivery person be able to make emergency frosting or decoration repairs and arrange the cake table? Remember that it is always best to have the baker deliver the cake as then they are responsible for any accidents that might happen along the way.

By asking the right questions and knowing all the answers it is possible to have the perfect cake and eat it too!

Do your Research Before Visiting the Wedding Cake Designer

Guidelines to guarantee that your get the wedding cake you want

Chances are you have been imagining your wedding day since you were a little girl and dreaming about your dress, the hall and – yes, even the cake. You have probably even seen those fabulous and tantalizing cakes in the wedding magazines that not only accent the marriage party and hall but add a chic glamour to the setting as well. If that is the kind of gorgeous cake you want

for your wedding then all you have to do is a little bit of homework before meeting with the cake designer or baker.

1. Research: If you have not already started looking through wedding magazines for wedding cake examples then now is a good time to do so! Narrow down your selection as much as possible before meeting with any baker or designer so that you know ahead of time what you want.

2. Consult with your fiancé: Since the cake should be a reflection of your couple, find out if you both want the same thing. If not, then find a style, flavor and design with which you are both happy. Also determine what you are willing to spend on your cake.

3. Have a theme: Most people want their cake to coordinate with elements of the wedding so you should have a good idea of:

• The overall color scheme for the wedding from bridesmaid dresses to the table cloths
• The flowers you will likely be using
• What the budget is for your wedding cake
• Approximately how many guests you expect
• The overall style, theme and formality of your wedding

Knowing these things before you meet with your baker or cake designer will help you select a cake that will not only coordinate beautifully with your wedding but will give the festivities an added layer of style and sophistication.