Traditionally, wedding cakes came in two basic flavors: white and yellow. Occasionally, the adventuresome bride would go wild and ask for a chocolate cake.
Those days are long gone. Today, most bakeries offer a wide variety of delectable flavors. And brides are taking advantage of those choices, often requesting more than one flavor within their wedding cake.
"They're interested in letting their guests have a choice," explains one area baker that specializes in wedding cakes.She explains that her customers want sophisticated flavors for their cakes. Liqueur-based cakes have been extremely popular, as have other very adult flavors such as cappuccino. A variety of citrus flavors, particularly orange, lemon and lime, are also in demand. A wonderful curd filling between layers often enhances these flavors.
In the past, adventurous flavors may have raised an eyebrow or two, but today's bride shouldn't worry too much, especially if she opts for several different flavors. More "usual" flavors-such as chocolate, spice or carrot-can be very welcome alongside trendier cakes. Some brides even choose cheesecake as part of the wedding supper dessert offering. Of course, if she prefers to play it safe, traditional white or yellow cakes are still delicious.
Icing & Decoration
Perhaps the biggest change in wedding cakes appears in their decorations and icings. "There's a lot of non-traditional wedding cake decoration," the baker reveals.
In this area, a fondant-style icing is very popular. Its smooth, unmarred surface makes a perfect base for beautiful, creative decorations. Fondant is like a "sugar dough" and allows the baker to create three-dimensional decorations similar to marzipan. A thin layer of butter cream icing below the fondant helps it stick to the cake. A word of warning that fondants can be hard and chewy if not done correctly, so it's vital to choose a baker familiar with fondant so the icing will taste moist and soft. Be sure to have a sample taste to be sure you like what you will be getting.
Although many brides still want traditional white cakes, color is an important part of cake decoration these days. Tinted icing in pastel shades makes for lovely, delicate-looking cakes. But pastels aren't the only colors to make the cut. Just one bright color, such as coral, on a cake makes a beautiful statement and allows the bride to incorporate her wedding's color theme throughout the event.
Brides still love cakes decorated with fresh or frosting flowers. But less traditional decorations bring a new creativity to wedding cakes. Icing bows and ribbons make fanciful decorations. Another creative touch sure to garner "oohs" and "ahs" are blown sugar bubbles or fondant bubbles tinted to look just like the real thing, iridescence and all. Other fresh looks include basket weave icing, fondant fruits and a lovely faux-brocade decoration.
Shape
Of course, such innovative decoration calls for equally innovative cake construction. The traditional stacked cake still maintains a prominent place in the wedding cake line-up. Today it has three to five layers and most often appears without columns supporting the individual layers. Present options include a series of fanciful constructions which would delight any bride.
"Brides are paying more attention to the overall construction," a local baker says, noting that today's wedding cakes can assume shapes from an ornate hat to a stack of gifts. Brides who opt for these shapes want something very personal and unusual to grace their reception. A combination of shapes, such as a square tier combined with several round ones, also give wedding cakes a unique presence. Some brides even opt for very tiny miniature wedding cakes, one for each guest. These diminutive cakes can assume any shape, and might even be topped with a second tier.
Size & Cost
How much cake to order can be a confusing gamble. Brides should consider several factors when consulting with their baker before coming to a final decision:
How many guests will attend? How large will each serving be? Is leftover cake desired, and if so, how much? Will the bride and groom retain a small tier or portion of the cake to freeze until their first anniversary?
The number of servings it yields determines the price of a wedding cake. Brides should be aware that serving sizes differ widely from bakery to bakery. They must make sure they understand just how big a serving size is and communicate that to whoever cuts the cake at the reception.
Cakes can cost anywhere from a low $1.50 per serving to upwards of $3.00 per serving. In general, the more avant-garde and specialized the cake, the more expensive it will be. If cost is a major consideration, a traditional tiered or simple rectangular white or yellow cake will probably be the least expensive.
Delivery
Wedding cakes are complex, delicate constructions, ones that definitely require professional handling. Most bakers include the cost of delivery and set-up in the price of the cake. If a particular baker does not, it is definitely worth the extra charge to relieve the bride of the stress and headache of coordinating this herself. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind and a flawless cake.
Bakeries have the correct vehicle in which to transport a wedding cake and bakers know how to assemble one on site. Bakers who deliver also bring along equipment to repair any minor dings a cake might acquire along the way. Many supply decorative cake knives, but some do not. In that case, the bride will have to supply her own. If the bride has chosen a tiered cake, she may be responsible for returning columns and other items to the baker after the wedding.
Choosing a Bakery
Finding a baker to fit your needs will take a little research and leg work, but it's definitely worth the time. Check ads, ask friends and family for referrals to good bakeries, and visit the WEDDING PLANNER & GUIDE Bridal Show to see a wide variety of bakers. Most have cakes on display, and even samples to taste. Set up appointments with several different bakers and then go in and view photos of other cakes they've created. Consider asking for references. Sample the wares. And above all, enjoy the process! After all, it's your wedding cake-and what could be sweeter than that?
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