Wedding Cakes History – Infographic

    History of Wedding Cakes

    In many different cultures the wedding cake is an integral part of the wedding ceremony.

    In the West it is the cutting of the cake by the bride and groom that is important, whilst in the East it is the feeding of the cake to the couple’s parents.

    The traditional cake type and ingredients vary from country to country. In the UK and America you will be probably be served a fruit or sponge cake covered in white royal icing. In Korea they use a steamed rice cake which is covered in red bean powder. In France there is the famous croquembouche, a tall tower of cream filled pastries and in Greece a sourdough or almond cake.

    In some countries it is popular to serve two cakes known as the ‘bride’s cake’ and ‘grooms cake’. The bride’s cake is the main wedding cake and is usually the more traditional of the two.  The groom’s cake is usually more of a novelty, being made in brighter colours and fun shapes. Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge had two cakes at their wedding last year. The bride’s cake was an 8 tiered masterpiece covered in cream and white icing with over 900 delicate flowers and the grooms cake was a chocolate biscuit cake made from Rich Tea biscuits and 17 kilos of chocolate!

    Vicky just loves cakes!  She especially loves to write about wedding cakes and traditions and celebrity wedding cakes.


     

    A New Way to Cut Your Cake Costs: Wedding Cake Rentals

    Not everyone can afford the large and elaborate wedding cakes that you see in magazines or television shows. Though every bride wants the gorgeous wedding cake of her dreams, most are on a tight budget or simply do not have enough guests to actually consume it.

    So what is the solution? Wedding cake rentals. This new industry has revolutionized the way brides order wedding cakes by offering up fake or “dummy cakes” to brides. You can have a gorgeous wedding cake on display without the cost of baking and customizing one.

    Before you completely dismiss the idea of a fake cake, take a look at some examples. You may be pleasantly surprised. It is absolutely amazing what a good cake designer can create. In fact, when you look at a real cake that has been done by an expert, many people can’t believe that those are edible. Personally, I don’t find fondant particularly edible anyway!

    Ready to consider a wedding cake rental for your wedding? Before you make your decision, think about the following:

    Is there one that fits your wedding theme and decorations?

    There are some companies that rent wedding cake dummies that have already been created. That means you have to find a pre-made cake from their catalog that already matches your colors, theme and overall decorations. Shop around to several bakeries first to see the different options that are out there and to find one that coordinates with your wedding theme and color scheme.

    It doesn’t all have to be inedible

    Brides have the option of ordering several tiers of their wedding cake edible while the others are inedible. You get the look of a grand cake, without the expense. These cakes are more expensive than a full dummy cake, but it gives you something to cut at the reception for photographs and tradition.

    Let them eat cake!

    The wedding cake itself may be inedible, but you still need to decide if you will serve some type of cake to the guests. Some couples have resorted to no cake at all, replacing it with a candy buffet or other dessert. For the brides that still want to serve cake, many companies that rent dummy cakes also offer sheet cakes and cupcakes at a discounted rate. That means you can purchase cupcakes or sheet cakes to feed to your guests, but still have the grand wedding cake on display.

    What if no one has a design you like?

    Some brides have trouble finding a wedding cake rental that works for their overall theme. If you have a more unique or creative theme or color scheme, there just may not be an appropriate dummy cake out there. You have the option of having one custom made, but this will almost always cost more than a cake that has been pre-designed. At that point, you may decide to just go for a real cake.

    Are you really saving money?

    Though dummy cakes are typically a third of the price of a real wedding cake, they are not always cheaper. Often these cakes come with a security deposit that can be a hefty risk. If the cake is damaged at the reception, you are liable. Along with the cost of rental and security deposits, you still need to serve dessert at your wedding. That means that, on top of the rental costs, you will also be paying for additional sheet cakes, cupcakes or some sort of dessert buffet. Before selecting a fake wedding cake, do a cost comparisons of all your different options – all fake plus dessert, half edible/half inedible cake, or a real cake.

    Made your decision yet? Take a look at our wedding cake toppers to crown your final masterpiece. You will find something for any theme your heart desires.


     

    Can you have an amazing wedding cake on a tight budget?

    Those incredibly wedding cakes you see on television shows or in the magazines are stunning, but can you afford a cake like that on a tight budget? A wedding cake can be as simple or as extravagant as you like and accordingly can be relatively inexpensive or enough to break the bank.

    If you have ever watched one of the wedding cake shows, you will begin to realize why they cost so much. The intricate work that is involved and the many hours of labor that are required to create the decorations are back-breaking. In fact, the actual cost per hour of labor is often very low if you have a very fancy design.

    For some people this is an expense that they feel is unnecessary and a simple cake or alternative form of ‘symbolic food’ such as a favorite dessert or something similar can be used. Cupcake wedding cakes are one alternative, though they can be just as much work if you want something with beautiful decorations on top.

    Even with the expense, couples usually prefer a traditional wedding cake and in keeping with the rest of the theme of the wedding. This means designing a cake that incorporates the color scheme of the whole wedding and any thematic elements, such as a western wedding theme or a diamonds and bling wedding.

    Reducing the size of the wedding cake can help keep the costs down. Some people even have a separate sheet cake back in the kitchen to serve to the guests. Of course, simply sticking to a less intricate design can save you a lot of money right there.

    Another option to save money in cake decor is to use your flower arrangements or other forms of decoration to add color and interest to the table the cake is on. A simple cake becomes much more dramatic when it is surrounded by bold flowers.

    It is important to do your research and get some prices from different cake designers before you make your decision. If there is someone in your family or among your friends who loves to bake, and is good at it, you could even see if they are willing to make one for you. This is a little risky, but it has been done with success before.

    Think about your cake priorities when setting your budget for this part of the reception. For some, the wedding cake is one of the most important parts of the day. It may not last past dessert, but the photos of the two of you cutting and serving each other cake are classic and will probably remain in a frame on your wall or dresser forever.

    Check out our large selection of Wedding Cake Toppers in our shop. We have a great variety of toppers that will fit any wedding theme or style, from whimsical to vintage to monograms.

    Image sources:

    Top: Betsy White

    Middle: All Womens Talk

    Bottom: Weddings and Cakes


     

    5 Unique Wedding Cake Ideas

    Unique chocolate tear-drop shaped cake from Corsino Cakes
    Looking for unique wedding cake ideas that don’t look like your grandmother picked them out? Today’s guest post will give you some great options for breaking away from tradition and creating a cake that truly reflects you. No giant white concoctions here!

    If the words “wedding cake” bring to mind a white, tiered fruit cake covered in marzipan and elaborate icing with a model of the soon-to-be Mr and Mrs on top, you might be surprised to find out just how rare these extravagant delectations have become. With the ever popular trend in veering away from the norm, many couples all over the world have taken a different approach to this sweet wedding fare!

    At this point, wedding cakes are so varied that it would probably be a pretty big challenge to find two even similar in design and content! If summer is wedding season, check out the cakes you find at the celebrations you attend: unless you live in a really traditional area, they’re likely to be completely different from one another.  A notable addition you might find as well is a Groom’s cake. Having a Groom’s cake can present the guests with a couple of different choices – so if they’re not keen on fruit cake, they have chocolate cake as an alternative.

    So what if you want to get really wacky? Go for it, we say! Your wedding is a very individual affair and is meant to be all about you anyway – so if you want an off-the-wall cake, why not indulge yourself? Modern cake decorating techniques are becoming increasingly ingenious – one 2007 bride from Texas, Chidi Ogbuta, even had a life sized replica of herself in cake on her wedding day! Yep, that’s five feet four inches of solid edible bride!

    You don’t have to go quite as far as Chidi, of course. Cup cakes (fancy ones) are quite a popular way to serve up cake at a wedding nowadays – and certainly they can be easier to create, though just as fabulous to look at! If cupcakes aren’t your thing either, how about a take on the following:Fall Theme Wedding Cake from Corsino Cakes

    1. A twist on the more traditional wedding cake: go for a simpler, more elegant version of the icing – for example edible flowers, gold metallic decoration or intricate patterns.
    2. Include something “real” on your cake – seasonal fruits can be great (think strawberries or other small fruits) as can rose buds and similar flowers.
    3. Consider making your cake an extension of yourself. A talented cake maker and decorator can create almost anything – so why not ask for something based on a hobby or a place you’re particularly fond of? Search the net for ideas – the possibilities are endless!
    4. How about an ice cream cake, if it’s the right season? Really, it’s your day – so anything goes!
    5. What about a whimsical, funny cake? Show off your sense of humor as well as your sense of taste by having an amusing cake made and watch your guests giggle!

    Asian Theme Wedding Bride and Groom Cake TopperAmongst the other things to consider are your cake toppers. Maybe you’re not going to have the traditional bride and groom – but there are so many possibilities there too: from the hilarious to the downright bizarre. Make them edible and gobble each other up, or have them crafted out of crystal to keep forever as a family heirloom.

    The key thing to remember with cake – as well as all the other aspects of your wedding planning and the day itself – is to have fun and make it memorable. So whether you’re getting hitched on a pair of white horses or dressing up as characters from a Hammer horror movie, have a blast and don’t be afraid to get original!

    Photo Credits: Corsino Cakes, Asian Couple Wedding Cake Topper

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    Stephanie Padovani writes about New York weddings and shares wedding business marketing tips for the bridal business.

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    Looking for ideas for wedding cake toppers? Check out the Wedding Cake Toppers section of our store. We have funny, vintage, monogram, traditional and custom cake toppers. Find one for your own theme or personality.


     

    DIY Wedding Cake Tips

    The following is a guest post by Bridget Mora.  Bridget has written hundreds and hundreds of articles offering advice and tips on weddings and everything related to that important day. In this article, she provides five critical tips for those of you have decided to bake your own wedding cake.

    The wedding cake is one of the highlights of the reception. It occupies a place of honor at the reception on a special table and the cake cutting ceremony is one of the most special moments of the wedding. With all that in mind, it is important to have a truly fabulous wedding cake! If you have decided to make your own cake, check out these DIY wedding cake tips to ensure that your cake is a grand success.

    Tip One: Practice, practice, practice! Even if you are an experienced baker, making a wedding cake is unlike any other baking project. Both the scale and importance of the confection are larger than they would be for another cake, so a trial run is key. By the way, if you are not an experienced baker, it is best not to attempt a DIY wedding cake. At your trials, take careful notes about the recipes used, how easily the cake released from the pans, and any mishaps which may have occurred. Also, keep in mind that a wedding cake spends a fair amount of time on display, so leave your sample cake out under similar conditions to make sure that the frosting does not start to slide off, the tiers crush each other, or anything else.

    Tip Two: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. The best idea for a DIY wedding cake is to keep it simple. Opt for tiers stacked directly on top of each other, rather than perched on precarious columns. Stick with a reliable frosting option, such as buttercream, which is easier to apply than fondant. Most of all, choose decorations which are well within your abilities (and your time constraints) to make. Use fresh flowers instead of trying to make sugar flowers or top your cake with a pre-made topper like a crystal monogram (so pretty when the bride is wearing crystal bridal jewelry).

    Tip Three: Make the cake ahead. A professional baker does not make your wedding cake on the morning of your wedding and neither should you. The last thing a bride needs to be worried about on her wedding day is making a cake! Plan to bake the cake about 3 days before your wedding and decorate it 1-2 days before your reception. That will allow plenty of time to decorate without feeling rushed, and it also means that if something goes terribly wrong (cake dropped on the floor!), you will have time to deal with it.

    Tip Four: Have a transportation plan. Making your own wedding cake is a big enough job as it is, but don’t forget that you also need to get it to the reception site safely. A large heavy cardboard box is a good option for transportation, perhaps with a piece of plywood under the base of the cake within the box. Be sure that the box is large enough that it will not touch the edges of the cake and scrape off frosting! You will need someone to sit and hold the cake in the back of a large vehicle like an SUV. Also be certain to arrange for refrigeration at the reception venue if you plan to deliver your DIY masterpiece the day before your wedding.

    Tip Five: Remember the extras. Think about how you wish to display the wedding cake you have created at your reception. You will need a suitably sized table with a tablecloth at the very least. You may wish to have some sort of cake stand upon which to set your confection. There are all different types, from ornately designed silver bases to simple white china stands to modern plexiglass bases. Also think about decorations for the cake table. Some brides scatter flower petals, those who love crystal bridal jewelry might decide to scatter large crystals around the cake, while others simply choose a fancy tablecloth. Last but not least, remember to bring a cake cutting set with a knife and cake server so that your guests can enjoy your wonderful DIY wedding cake!

    Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/. Treat yourself to a set of our fabulous crystal bridal jewelry for your wedding. All jewelry orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Mora

    http://EzineArticles.com/?DIY-Wedding-Cake-Tips&id=5479715

    Need a beautiful topper to complete your gorgeous creation? We have a great selection of Wedding Cake Toppers in our Wedding Shop.