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Wedding Cake & More!

Wedding Cake & More!
31 March 2024

Cake!

Whether it’s a stunning decorative focal point, a fun photo opportunity, or simply the most delicious dessert you’ll ever eat, the cake remains a beautiful staple for so many weddings.

I’ve been diving into a bit of history, exploring the dreamiest flavour combinations, and gathering my best display tips to help you navigate the world of wedding bakes. If you’re not quite sure where to start, here are a few questions to kick off your mouthwatering journey and help you inject a little personality into your day:

But if you’re not sure where to start with your cake design, here are a few questions to get you started on your mouthwatering journey and help you to inject a little personality into your Wedding Day treat:

  • Do you actually like cake? (If not, don’t worry—I have some amazing alternatives below!)
  • What are your absolute favourite flavours?
  • How can your theme and colour scheme inspire the design?
  • What shape and size feels right for your venue & your style?
  • How many tiers are you dreaming of? (There’s a little secret trick to this one!)
  • Do you want to keep the top tier? (A long-standing tradition to bring luck & happiness & to celebrate your first anniversary or the christening of your first-born!)
  • Do you have any preferences for decoration styles?
  • How many guests do you need to feed?
  • What’s your cake budget?

If you’re feeling a bit stuck on the answers, don't panic! Your cake maker is a fountain of knowledge, and I’m always more than happy to help you narrow down the options (especially the tastings—my favourite part of the job!).

A Little Slice of History

Did you know that wedding cakes were originally all about good luck? In ancient Greek and Roman times, grains of wheat were thrown over the couple to promote prosperity and fertility. Eventually, the couple began sharing crumbs of wheat cakes as a sign of unity.

During the Middle Ages, tradition says couples would try to kiss over a tall stack of small cakes. If they could manage it without the whole thing toppling over, they were destined for a long and happy marriage! We can thank the Victorians for the classic white icing, which was originally used to symbolise purity. Today, anything goes—your cake can be any colour, shape, or design that reflects who you are as a couple.

Wedding cake flavours - Camellio Wedding Planning and Events - Essex Wedding Planner

Top Flavour Combinations

YYour cake shouldn't just look the part—it should be the most delicious thing you’ve ever tasted! My best advice? Choose your absolute favourites. While it’s nice to have a "crowd-pleaser" tier for your guests, make sure there’s a layer that is 100% you.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few of the most popular choices right now:

  • The Classics: Vanilla with strawberry (or my personal favourite, raspberry!) jam.
  • The Chocoholics: Fudge, orange, caramel, praline, mint, raspberry or red velvet.
  • Fresh & Fruity: Lemon, blackcurrant, coconut & lime, blueberry & coconut, blackberry or elderflower.
  • Bold Flavours: Salted caramel, coffee & walnut, carrot, sticky toffee, caramel & apple, ginger spice.
  • A Unique taste: Honey & lavender orange & poppyseed, Lemon& thyme, white chocolate & passionfruit, rose & pistachio, or even strawberry & champagne.
  • Traditional: Classic fruitcake.

A quick tip: Think about your season! A light, zesty lemon is perfect for a spring afternoon, while a rich ginger spice feels so cozy for a winter celebration.

Design & Display Tips

Your cake is a work of art, so let’s make sure it gets the spotlight it deserves! The style is entirely your decision, but I love seeing a cake that "talks" to the rest of your decor—maybe using the same lace pattern from your dress or fresh blooms from your florist.

The "Tier" Trick: If you’re dreaming of a towering five-tier masterpiece but only have a small guest list, ask your baker about “dummy tiers.” These are clever polystyrene layers that give you the visual drama without having mountains of leftover cake!

Creating Height with Spacers: Another fantastic way to add a modern, airy feel to your cake is by using spacers or separators between the tiers. Whether it’s a clear acrylic block filled with florals, a sleek gold hoop, or a hidden stand that makes the top tiers look like they’re "floating," spacers are a brilliant tool for adding extra height and a touch of "wow" factor to the overall silhouette.

The Display: Think about where your cake will sit in the room. A beautiful table dressed with specialist fabrics, mirrors, or floral "meadows" can really showcase the design. And a little practical note from your planner: make sure that table is level and sturdy! With all that height and those beautiful tiers, we want to make sure there is no chance of a wobble or an accidental topple before you've even had a chance to take your photos.

Most of all, make sure you actually get a slice before your guests devour every last crumb!

Wedding cake Alternatives - Camellio Wedding Planning and Events - Essex Wedding Planner

Not a "Cake Person"?

If a traditional sponge isn’t your thing, there are so many fun ways to treat your guests. Some of my favourite alternatives include:

  • Sweet Treats: A doughnut wall, a macaron tower, or a table piled high with brownies and meringue kisses, even a selection of cheese cakes or fruit pies.
  • Savoury Stars: A multi-storey cheese stack, a pork pie tower, or even a savoury "cake" made of sundried tomatoes, cheddar or apple & walnut.
  • A Liquid Finale: If you’d rather drink your dessert, why not a cocktail or champagne tower?

You can even do a mix of both—a small cake for the "cutting" photo, surrounded by a dessert table for everyone to dive into!

Questions to ask your Cake Designer

Finding the right baker is all about finding that "click." To help you feel prepared for your consultations, I’ve put together a handy, take-along PDF guide with my top questions to ask.

Simply enter your details below to download your free copy and start planning your showstopper!

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SERVICES

If you’re looking to plan your own, unique Wedding in Essex and the surrounding areas, you too can experience the perfect Wedding Day with the help, support & guidance of a professional Wedding Planner.

I can help you to unravel your ideas, develop you dreams & bring your Wedding vision to life. Connecting you with the very best and most trusted, local Wedding Professionals to craft your day; I can help you to create a more sustainable Wedding, without compromising on the style, elegance & luxury of your event.

With luxury & dedicated Wedding Planning support, you can enjoy a fun, relaxing & stress-free Wedding Planning Journey. You can also rest assured that every detail will be taken care of and your journey from start to finish will be in the safest hands.

No matter where you are in your Wedding Planning journey, I can offer support and guidance to help you achieve your perfect Day. To learn more about the Wedding Planning services available to you, follow the links below or contact me to discover how I can help.


On the day co-ordination for your Wedding Day peace of mind... letting you focus on what's important! Hand over your carefully curated Wedding Plans to an expert co-ordinator to ensure your day runs smoothly.
 
Essex Wedding Planner - On the Day

Essex Wedding Planner - Everything from Yes
Full Wedding Planning support, for the very best Wedding Planning experience. A reliable & knowledgable planner by your side, for help & guidance every step of the way.
 

A flexible approach to Wedding Planning, giving you the opportunity of a more hands-on approach if you choose, yet having expert support & guidance to finalise the last details.
 
Essex Wedding Planner - The Finishing Touches

Essex Wedding Planner - Focus Sessions
Help, support, ideas & inspiration, to keep your Wedding Planning on track. Hourly sessions to help you focus on your plan, develop your concepts, identify your priorities and assemble your next steps.
 

Essex Wedding Planner - On the Day
On the day co-ordination for your Wedding Day peace of mind... letting you focus on what's important! Hand over your carefully curated Wedding Plans to an expert co-ordinator to ensure your day runs smoothly.
 

Essex Wedding Planner - Everything from Yes
Full Wedding Planning support, for the very best Wedding Planning experiece. A reliable & experienced planner by your side, for help & guidance every step of the way.
 

Essex Wedding Planner - The Finishing Touches
A flexible approach to Wedding Planning, giving you the opportunity of a more hands-on approach, whilst having expert support & guidance to finalise the last details.
 

Essex Wedding Planner - Focus Sessions
Help, support, ideas & inspiration, to keep your Wedding Planning on track. Hourly sessions to help you focus on your plan, develop your concepts, identify your priorities and assemble your next steps.