| We have put together this
guide to aid you in planning the right cake for your
wedding as well as enjoying it on the day. The
wedding cake is an important part of the wedding and a
focal point during the wedding meal and reception. It is a
symbol of fertility and was historically broken over the
brides head to ensure good luck and fertility and this
practice was symbolic in marking the end of the bride's
virginity. |
 |
In the past, wedding cakes were
made from rich fruit cake with marzipan and icing as they stored
well in the days before freezers. Modern couples can choose
anything from chocolate to chocolate mud Madiera, banana or carrot cake.
Planning & Design
BJ's Cake Decor will give you a free consultation to discuss your
needs and ideas and will design your cake to suit your colour
scheme and theme.
Wedding cakes are conventionally white, which dates back to
Victorian times when white signified purity. Today wedding
cakes can be made in any imaginable colour and many couples choose
to have a cake which incorporates a range of colours to suit their
theme and style for the day.
Round wedding cakes are the most popular and the circular design
is a symbol of eternity as it has no beginning and no end.
Other designs include square, rectangular, heart-shaped or lots of
individual cupcakes or iced cakes.
Many couples choose to have the top tier made from fruit as it
keeps well over time and can be used for the 1st anniversary or christening. As most modern couples
tend to wait a few years before starting a family, many couples
often share the top tier for their first anniversary.
Flowers tend to be the most popular way to decorate wedding cakes
and couples can choose from fresh, artificial or sugar flowers.
Sugarcraft and artificial flowers can be made to look very real
and can provide a nice keepsake from the wedding day. If
using fresh flowers, BJ's Cake Decor suggeast you liaise with your
florist to ensure that the flowers used for your cake are the same as those used on the day in your bouquet. Other
decoration ideas include ornaments, sweets, chocolates and
sugarcraft objects as well as the traditional or non traditional bride and groom on
the top of the cake.
Portion Guide
The size of the cake you choose will depend on a number of
factors. If your cake is being served after a full lunch or
dinner then smaller pieces will be needed. Some guests will
want to take an extra slice of cake on the day and do make sure you save some
slices to post to people unable to attend the wedding.
Enjoying it on the day
The cutting of the wedding cake is symbolically the first task
that the bride and groom undertake together and represents the
bride and groom starting their new life as a couple. Traditionally
the groom used his sword to help the bride cut through the royal
icing, but today an attractive silver knife is the preference and
this part of the reception should be watched by the guests.
The groom should place his right hand over the bride's right
hand and they cut the first slice together. The cake
should then be taken away to be cut. Wedding caterers should
know how to cut a wedding cake, but if you are not using caterers
and plan to cut the cake yourselves please contact B.J.'s Cake Decor
for advice. The custom is that every guest
should have a small piece of cake to bring good luck to the
couple.
Most wedding venues and caterers provide a display stand and knife
for the cake. If not then B.J.'s Cake Decor will be able to
arrange the hire of these but a deposit will be payable and you
will need to ensure that these are returned on the Monday or
Tuesday following the wedding. B.J.'s Cake Decor can deliver and set up your cakes for you on the day.
The Grooms Cake
This custom dates back to the middle ages and the cake is
generally a chocolate cake decorated in a more masculine style which is
displayed next to the larger wedding cake. Today chocolate
cakes decorated with chocolate is a popular choice and this cake is
usually bought by the bride as a gift or surprise for her groom.
Folklore says that lady guests who sleep with a slice of this cake
under their pillow will dream of their future husband!
Storing your top tier
If you are having a fruit tier to save for your anniversary or christening then
correct storage is important. Put your
cake into an airtight container - this stops any air or
bacteria getting to it and also stops the cake absorbing smells
from the freezer. B.J.'s Cake Decor recommend freezing your
cake. Simply take it out a day or two before you
want to use it. Otherwise the cake may be stored preferably
in a dark cupboard away from direct sunlight. The cake may then need to be re-iced and decorated before use.
