Georgina Clatworthy

If the traditional fruit cake is not quite your wedding style then you will be pleased to know that these days, when it comes to wedding cake styles – anything goes! So if want something timeless or perhaps a themed extravaganza, check out these common styles first so you know what to ask your cake maker for.

Before I go into the different styles I should point out that although cake makers are incredibly talented, they can be limited by your choice of cake and of course your budget. A wedding cake is a big investment, it is not uncommon for average prices to be around $800 for a cake to feed 150 and if you want an unusual shaped cake and handmade decorations then expect the price to rise significantly.

Traditional: usually a traditional wedding cake would be made of heavy fruit cake and supported on pillars or on a special tiered stand. If you want the traditional cake style complete with royal icing then a fruit cake is your best choice as a sponge cake cannot normally hold the weight of the icing.

Classic: for those who do not want a traditional looking cake but still want something that looks formal enough for a wedding then a classic styled cake is a good choice. With this style each tier rests on top of the one below and the whole cake covered with icing. This is a good choice for sponge cakes but you can also create this style with other cake types as well such as baked cheesecake. Some softer cake mixes may require hidden rods to support the tiers.

Themed: themed wedding cake styles are becoming very popular as it allows you the opportunity to create a completely unique cake which coordinates with your wedding theme. And they do not have to coordinate with your theme either, I have seen a wedding cake with a Mario Kart theme because it was the couple’s favourite video game! However, themed wedding cakes require more work so expect a big price tag.

Shaped Cakes: these days wedding cakes can be made in just about any shape your heart desires. However, a circular cake is the cheapest option, square and hexagonal cakes require additional work to make them level for icing and if you want something more unusual expect to pay extra for it.

Cupcakes and Mini Cakes: these have been so popular in recent years and hundreds of cupcakes on a stand does make a fantastic display! If you want cupcakes but still want to do the cake cutting ceremony then have a small cake made to sit on top of the display which you can cut into. Mini cakes are similar to cupcakes but slightly more formal. Essentially they are small pieces of cake covered in icing and decorated, but they do involve more work than their cupcake counterparts and so will cost more.

The Non-Wedding Cake: it has become popular to abandon the wedding cake altogether and instead choose an extravagant dessert such as the French Croquembouche which is a tower of cream filled profiteroles. Another popular option is to create a cake bar with a range of different cakes and gateau’s so your guests can help themselves, a new trend for 2011 is to have jellies and blamange instead of cake. Or why not go for the irresistible chocolate fountain complete with strawberries, marshmallows and cookies!