Georgina Clatworthy

By Georgina Clatworthy



It forms the centrepiece of your wedding reception but which of the various wedding cake styles should you choose? Whether you choose a traditional tiered cake or a tower of pretty cupcakes you will want to ensure it is the main focal point of your reception and most importantly taste as good as it looks!

When it comes to choosing between wedding cake styles it is a good idea to decide at the same time as you choose your catering. Your catering firm may have an in-house baker who could make your cake for you, alternatively they or your venue may recommend someone to you. And if you cannot afford to hire a specialist cake maker then you might want to consider purchasing cakes from your high street or making your own.

Traditionally a wedding cake would be a rich fruit cake covered in marzipan and royal icing, with the decoration mimicking the bride’s wedding dress. Many modern wedding cake styles are covered with fondant icing as it gives a much smoother finish and is easier to work with, it is also the material of choice for many of pretty decorations used. However, these days not too many people like fruit cake and more couples are choosing sponge cakes or baked cheesecakes instead. If you want to keep with tradition you could mix your tiers and have a fruit cake as your top and smallest tier, which in keeping with tradition you would keep for your first child’s christening or your wedding anniversary.

For the budget conscious choosing a cake which has a more exotic flavour and serving it as dessert will save on your catering costs. Once you have finished your main course you will need to have your cake cutting ceremony and then it can be cut and served to your guests. Bear in mind that the average three tier wedding cake will serve about 100 guests and the more work involved in the design the more it will cost you. If your budget is tight ask your baker to make plain cutting cakes which can be kept in the kitchen until the main cake has been cut.

When it comes to styles of wedding cake there are four choices you may want to consider which encompass the classic styles, modern versions and dessert options:

• American Stack: this is a modern take on the traditional wedding cake with each tier sitting directly on top of the one below without supporting pillars.
  
• Croquembouche: this is a French dessert made from profiteroles filled with fresh cream and coated with chocolate. These are then piled up in to a pyramid style tower and drizzled with chocolate or toffee sauce or decorated with spun sugar.
  
• Cupcakes: these adorable little cakes have become very popular for weddings and because you order one for each guest you shouldn’t have lots left over at the end of the day! When arranged on a special tiered stand they make a stunning display.
  
• Traditional Tiers: the traditional style of wedding cake is very formal with each tier being supported on decorative pillars.