Choosing your wedding cake...
Your wedding cake is a great opportunity to make a statement
about who are as a couple. In the same way you design your
bridal outfits and flowers and even your wedding vows to
reflect your personal style and tastes, you should aim to do
the same with your wedding cake. It is a crucial part of
your wedding event and should have pride of place in your
reception.
Centuries ago your wedding cake would have been made of
wheat which is a symbol of fertility and future wealth. As a
fertility rite, the cake would have been thrown at the
bride! Interesting!
These days however your cake is less about fertility and
more about a reflection of the themes of your wedding which
in turn reflect both of your personalities. And we can do
away with wheat. Contemporary wedding cake makers of course
offer a wide range of decorations that can look amazing on
the outside and ingredients that taste fantastic on the
inside.
So how do you go about creating
this personalized piece of sheer indulgence?
 In
your initial planning consider the following tips:-
Your personalized theme:
It is suggested that you decide on the theme of your bridal
outfits and reception décor first, and then organise your
cake to reflect this. Having decided how your cake fits into
your own theme, will help to shape the discussion with your
cake designer and make the whole process smoother and less
pressure.
Remember also the sooner you know your theme, the sooner you
will have some ideas about your cake and the sooner you book
your cake the greater the chance of you having exactly what
you want. Plan early.
Budget
The size of your cake will obviously be dependant on the
number of people you are inviting to your big day and your
budget. Again along with the theme, these details will help
your cake designer to advise you of your options and help
ensure you have the cake you would really like.
On a low budget? Well there is room for improvisation. You
can order a small cake and have sheet cakes which can be
made of the same flavour to serve. The whole set of tiers do
not have to be made of real cake. Your designer will show
you how to cut costs.
Dessert or guest takeaway
Do you want your cake to be the main dessert of the meal or
do you want your guests to be able to take a slice home with
them?
So you know your themes and your
budget, below are some things you may wish to discuss with
your cake designer.
 Fantastic
Insides……
There are many different types of cake to choose from.
Classic wedding cakes are traditionally made from rich fruit
soaked in brandy for many weeks and covered with marzipan
and sugar paste. Although many couples are choosing cakes
other than traditional cakes, remember a tier of the cake
can be kept to use for an anniversary or for the birth of
your first child. Contemporary wedding cakes may be made of
fresh Madeira cake or a moist succulent carrot cake with a
cream cheese filling. These ingredients are light and easy
on the stomach.
Chocolate wedding cakes are the ultimate in indulgence, a
tier of which could be combined with either tiers of the
classic or modern style cake types. Finally you may wish to
dispense with a single, tiered cake and provide imaginative,
individual cup cakes.
Bear in mind, a number of flavours in competition maybe
distracting. Some flavours are overbearing like chocolate.
Make sure you can taste subtle flavours like almonds.
In many ways the sky is the limit but use your designer to
help you to see what is possible.
Whichever cake you finally decide on make sure your designer
has offered you samples of the different cakes available and
have lots of fun tasting them. You can’t obviously satisfy
the tastes of all your guests so choose the one that makes
your mouth water! Here’s a little something to ponder…..
Marie Antoinette a famous French Queen was reputed to have
flippantly said “Let them eat cake” when the peasants had no
bread to eat. Well as the Queen at your feast here’s a
variation - Let them eat my cake! As it’s your special day,
your guests will no doubt happily join you in your
indulgence.
…And Amazing outsides
With the trend towards personalizing cakes, many couples are
choosing to use a whole range of uniquely personal symbols
on their cakes. Your hobbies and interests can be a source
of imagination. Are you golf fanatics? Do you both share a
passion for Star Trek? Did you meet at an unusual place and
have a symbol for this? Obviously the colours and themes
from your overall reception can also be used. A good
designer will make every effort to realize your creativity.
Check if using fresh flowers whether they have been sprayed
with pesticides and which ingredients are likely to melt.
Cake tops are a way to accentuate your cake. Whether you use
a figurine, traditional, sugar flowers or your own personal
symbol, your cake topper can be used for dramatic effect –
have fun with it. Designers can show you previous work to
get some ideas.
It’s your day, do it your way.
Presentation
Many cake designers consider their cakes to be works of art.
Indeed the time, effort and passion involved would make them
worthy of that accolade. With this in mind your specially
created work of art should have a special table in your
reception. Your cake not only says something about the
people who created it but more importantly about you. It
will rank high as one of the things people will remember
when they recall your wedding. Decorate the table with your
theme. Colours flowers and symbols reflect this. Sumptuous
fabrics create elegance. Round tables for round cakes,
rectangular tables for rectangular cakes.
In planning your special day be no less meticulous in your
hunt for a great cake designer than you would for your
dressmaker or photographer. The cutting of your cake is a
special ceremony, make sure you find someone who can create
something you will enjoy looking at and relish eating
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