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Today, we’re discussing a super common and important item at weddings, the wedding cake!
To some, it is the perfect recipe for love. The sweetness of the treat coupled with the adoring decorations is assumed to bring good luck, happiness and a lot of sweetness into the couple’s matrimony.
To others, it is a mere necessary centerpiece to the occasion; a unique ornament to complement the look and feel of the wedding.
Regardless of your view however, it is unarguable that wedding cakes are just the perfect dessert anyone could look forward to at weddings!
The wedding cake tradition is one that dates as far back as centuries ago, from the ancient Roman era.
This may sound strange, but are you aware, that once, in ancient Rome, Barley bread, as opposed to the modern cake, was broken over the head of the bride at the wedding ceremony, as a symbol of good fortune for the couple, their conjugal home, and their future children? History does have a way of distorting our minds, doesn’t it?
Barley Bread Image: Pinterest.
Up until around the 17th century, wedding cakes were known as ‘bride pies’ or ‘nuptial pastries’. These pies, in the medieval era, were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over, as a form of a challenge. It is believed that if they can successfully kiss over the stacked pies without it tumbling, there’s a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in their marriage.
The bridesmaids will often try to get their hands on a piece of the pie, to tuck under their pillows at home. It is believed that doing this may help bring good luck and a man to their doorstep.
In the Victorian era, wedding cakes were traditionally sweet fruit cakes with Marzipan. During this period, refined sugar was becoming more popular in England, and as a result of this, pure white icing became a common choice of decoration for wedding cakes among elites. White icing was seen as a symbol of status and royalty, because despite the emerging popularity of refined sugar, only the wealthy could still afford it at that time.
The white colour was also considered a symbol of purity and sometimes, alludes to the bride’s status of virginity.
The Wedding Cake of Queen Victoria. Source: Pinterest.
The ever evolving history and trend of the nuptial pastry is quite an interesting one. The modern wedding cake trends alludes to a number of various factors which are lifestyle influenced, as opposed to sentiments and beliefs.
The single-tiered type of cake, for instance, has gained popularity in recent times, because of the growing preference for small weddings among millennials. This minimalist type of cake is a quite practical one, considering the size of the wedding guests.
Single Tier-Cake
Another practical form is the individually packed treats, served to each guest that is present at the wedding, as opposed to the usual ornamental piece that is normally cut by the couple. The actual purpose of this is to ensure that guests get their dessert, and nothing more.
Modern wedding cakes also incorporate works of art in their designs. From hyper realistic textures to elegant hand painted flowers, or even dark wedding cakes. These cakes are designed to tell subtle stories, or if not, just to stand out and be unique.
Dark Wedding Cake. Source: Pinterest.
In a world of infinite imaginations, it is definitely settled that wedding cake trends, designs, and forms is one that can never be short of evolutions and innovations. And as it evolves, we’ll be here always, watching, and eager to talk about the glorious evolutions with you!
MORE IMAGES. SOURCE: PINTEREST
