So many couples that I meet feel totally overwhelmed when it comes to deciding on their wedding cake. They often don’t know where to start and are unsure of what ‘style’ to choose. It can often feel like there’s so much to consider but the important thing is, it needn’t be overwhelming. I’ve broken it down into 5 key areas that I advise my couples to consider when finding the right style of wedding cake for them:
1. SIZE: This is probably the most practical element but important to consider. Do you want a large, ‘show-stopper’ cake but are having an intimate wedding? No problem, there are options! More and more couples are asking me for ‘dummy’ tiers to achieve this. These are polysterene tiers that are decorated and added to your cake to look real. Your guests will never know! Or perhaps you’re having a large wedding but don’t want a big cutting cake; that’s fine too. You could opt for a small cutting cake with dessert table options such as macarons or sugar cookies (head over to my favours and dessert tables page for some inspiration!). If you’d like to cater for your guest list numbers and ensure everyone gets a piece of cake, keep an eye out for a new blog coming soon to help you determine just how much wedding cake you need.
2. SHAPE: Traditional round tiers with soft edges or perhaps a more contemporary square design? Consider the look and feel of your wedding here so that your cake style doesn’t conflict with this. If you’re having a very modern wedding, a soft, delicate cake design may not blend with your overall theme. Equally, if you’re having quite a traditional wedding, a contemporary cake design may feel out of place.
3. COLOUR: Are you looking to make a bold statement with your cake or something that blends in at your venue? Consider your colour scheme and how this can compliment your overall wedding style to ensure that your cake design doesn’t clash with other elements of your styling.
4. FINISH: Typically, wedding cake designers will fall into 2 categories when it comes to the ‘finish’ of their cakes – either a more natural buttercream finish or a more classic fondant/sugarpaste finish. There are many pros and cons to each (and probably a whole other blog post subject!) but it’s another important thing to consider as the two styles can give quite a different look. For example, buttercream cakes tend to suit more rustic and natural styled weddings whereas the sugarpaste designs that I specialise in tend to compliment a more classic /modern theme in a country/mansion house setting.
5. TEXTURE & MOVEMENT: I love to create texture and movement in my designs and it’s a great way to draw in the eyes of your guests to your wedding cake and create a real centre piece at your wedding. Inspiration can be drawn from your wedding dress, invitations, your venue, florals – the list is endless! This is the most important part of the information gathering for me when it comes to designing your cake as it provides the most inspiration!
6. STYLING: I often think it’s such a shame when a beautiful cake sits alone on a small table in the corner of a reception room. Your wedding cake should be a focal point of your wedding day and should take centre stage! So consider your venue and where the cake would be best placed to achieve this. Is there a grand staircase or an ornate fireplace for example? Depending on the design of your cake; other styling options could also compliment the look and feel. For example, if you’ve gone for a very floral feel to your styling, fresh flowers would help to pull in your wedding cake to this theme. Or perhaps you’ve gone for a soft, romantic look that candles would compliment? There will be a whole blog dedicated to this soon as there are so many possibilities!
Ultimately, the key is that you don’t need to worry about having a fixed idea of what you want your cake to look like before engaging a wedding cake designer. But, it’s good to have a think through these 5 key areas so you can find the right cake designer for you. When you’ve found one whose style you like, let them create a bespoke design for you that reflects your wedding theme and all the things you’d love to be incorporated in your wedding cake.
If you’re looking for some wedding cake inspiration to get you started, head over to my gallery.
PHOTO CREDITS:
@melissameganphotography
@trilionpros
@meghanclaire.co.uk
@nataliechivertonphotography
@meghandaisyphotography
@hannahargylephotography