So, you are wondering what size and style of wedding cake might be best for your upcoming wedding. We get asked this question all the time and it’s a little complicated, so we want to give you some ideas as you are planning your once in a lifetime event. Let’s dive right in!
Shape
There are the traditional round or square cakes, but there are many others. Perhaps a romantic heart shape, maybe a hexagon or octagon. There are so many to choose from. Some shapes other than round may cost a little more. Your baker and decorator can go over this with you well ahead of time.
Each section of cake is called a tier. You can have several tiers of cake of the same shape, or you could mix and match to achieve a certain style. Tiers can be stacked on top of one another, or they can be separated by pillars or another cake separation item.
Size
The size of your wedding cake is normally determined by the number of guests you will have. Some clients choose to keep the top tier to use for an anniversary or other meaningful occasion.
“Dummy Cakes”
If you want a large cake or a cake that would remain as part of the decoration or a statement centerpiece, you can choose to have all or part of the tier under the icing and decorations to be polystyrene. For example, if I want a 5 tier cake for a certain effect but don’t need to have this many servings of cake for my guests, I may consider having the middle two tiers polystyrene or “dummy cake” decorated the same as the real cake I will be serving to the guests. If this is an option for you, it is important to know which tier you will cut for the cake cutting ceremony. The idea of using a dummy cakes or tiers may seem a bit odd but it is a growing trend and your guests will never know the difference as the decorated polystyrene or “dummy cake” looks exactly like the real thing.
Style
There are so many factors that might be considered in choosing your wedding cake style. External factors, such as the time of year, whether the reception will be held outdoors or indoors, will affect your decision on style. You may want your cake style to reflect your personality, a theme, the setting of the reception, your colour scheme or even your wedding attire or current trend. You may want a relaxed design or nature to be represented or even a sophisticated and refined look. Maybe you are looking for something more traditional with a smooth finish of bridal white as a starting point. How about romantic or soft and elegant, or even something with a modern chic look.
The best way to communicate to your baker and decorator is to collect colour swatches, pictures of cakes that you like something about, pictures of the venue or lace from your dress. Consider writing down the most important “must have” ideas that you have envisioned for your dream wedding cake. MOST of the time what you imagine can be achieved.
Flavour
Now that we’ve talked about the outside of your cake, we need to get to the important part of what’s on the inside. Traditional wedding cakes are fruit cake with or without alcohol, however, now, more than ever, there are requests for flavoured sponge cakes. Flavours can go much further these days than just vanilla or chocolate. Ask your baker for a list of flavours they offer and don’t be afraid to ask for something that may not be on their list. I know of some bakers that would be happy to add a flavour that is not as common or that is not already on their list for a fee.
Icing & Filling
Your choice of icing and fillings may have a lot to do with the temperature at your venue and if there is refrigeration available. For example, fresh fruit and cream or mousse must be kept cool. Fondant or rolled icing is the most stable. It is rolled out and used as a covering over white chocolate or chocolate ganache or buttercream. It helps to keep the cake moist and fresh.
American buttercream is the most stable of buttercreams, but it is sweeter than Swiss meringue buttercream or Italian meringue buttercream. American buttercream will form a “crust” due to the amount of icing sugar used. This type of buttercream can be coloured but always begins with a slight yellowish tint because of the butter. American buttercream can be used as a filling and can be flavoured to compliment your choice of cake.
Swiss or Italian meringue buttercreams are super silky smooth and light in taste but are not as able to hold up to warm temperatures. Both Swiss meringue and Italian meringue will be whiter in colour and because of that they yield true colour when adding food colourings. These buttercreams can be used as a filling and can be flavoured to compliment your choice of cake.
Decoration
There are all sorts of ways to decorate a wedding cake. Ribbon, bows, edible flowers, real flowers from a florist (to be discussed in another blog as some should never be placed on a cake unless the cake is polystyrene), sugar flowers and icing flowers. Many people choose a cake topper to adorn their wedding cake at the top or sometimes elsewhere on the cake or cake table. You may purchase this separately and give to your decorator to place. Many decorators make their own toppers from modelling paste or fondant. Either way, this detail must be discussed ahead of time with your decorator and must be food safe.
Cost
The cost of your wedding cake may be based on numerous factors, and no two are the same. Included would be how many servings you will need, the shape, size, style, flavour and type of covering (icing) and decoration or special requests. The base cost for a basic wedding cake may also be per guest or per serving and may include the flavour filling and covering/icing. Any extras or special requests will increase that cost.
For example, sugar flowers are a wonderful and stunning alternative to real flowers, which should be carefully considered in order for them to be food safe. Sugar flowers take time and special skill to create and are made with special tools and equipment in order to make them look realistic. Piping also requires great skill and special equipment. With sugar flowers, having a statement piece on your cake doesn’t necessarily require 50 sugar flowers! It can mean one big and beautiful sugar flower or just a few sugar flowers with some sugar foliage to really make an incredible masterpiece.
The cost for your wedding cake will be discussed with you openly and in detail at your consultation before you agree to the final bottom line.
Some may want to have a go at a DIY wedding cake and there is nothing wrong with this idea to save cost, however, you will need to think about several things such as, “Will my venue allow a cake that is not made by a licensed and insured baker?” If the cake will be served at your home or garden you must consider guests’ possible food allergies or special dietary requirements. Some requirements may be very important and must be taken seriously.