The Cherry on
Top
Gone are the days of the traditional three-tiered wedding cake with royal icing. Nowadays, couples are opting for a wedding cake as individual as them in terms of both flavour and style. Here, Emma Warner Allen speaks with Tracey Merrey, owner of Simply Stylish Cakes, about the evolution of the modern wedding cake, and how this special dessert can suit preferences of all kinds.
Photo by: Bulb Creative
Previously constrained by antiquated tradition, the humble white wedding cake would often fade into obscurity. Overshadowed by the day’s festivities and bridal behemoths like the wedding dress, vows and wedding rings, the customary white fruit cake offered little for guests to be excited about. In more recent years, the wedding cake has been reimagined, allowing it to live up to its title as a centrepiece. “[Wedding cakes have] definitely changed,” explains Merrey. “Thirty-five years ago the cake was purely for show and a take-home piece. Now, the cake is served and can be the main part of the dessert.” Still keeping with tradition but with a range of stylistic options and an infinite selection of tantalising flavour combinations, the wedding cake is no longer limited to a simple white appearance and has instead become representative of the couples’ style and the day as a whole. For Merrey, creating bespoke cakes is her passion, but the icing on the cake comes from bringing her clients’ dreams to life, “I love working with clients who want a cake that represents themselves”
Delightful Decorations
As wedding cakes have evolved from a symbol of good luck to the centrepiece of the reception and a focal point for activities, they have naturally also become an extension of a couple’s style and a part of the day to be thoroughly enjoyed. Given the cake’s significance to your wedding and relationship, it has become increasingly common for couples to deviate from tradition. When posed with the question of how often she’s received requests for traditional wedding cakes, “never” Merrey confides, “occasionally I’m asked for the top tier as the couple wish to keep it for their first anniversary or christening”.
When researching wedding cakes, intrepid cake designers should turn their attention to the catwalk. “I think trends start with fashion, which centres around colours, textures, the fit, and accessories. The cake can represent classical lines, tall, neat with simple but stunning flowers and decorations to match the outrageous brightly coloured fashion statements of today.” For trailblazers, Merrey states, “I’m really looking forward to the
new trend of coloured cakes with deep beautiful jewel coloured flowers… there is also the more architectural style of cake, angular, striking shapes coming through from Europe”.
Floral wedding cakes have seen a surge in popularity and given the presence of spring, there is plenty of material to utilise to create a striking cake. Standing in direct opposition to Miranda Priestly’s infamous quote, “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking”, sugar flowers and wafer paper flowers are an edible medium which can be used to elevate your cake by giving it texture and depth. When asked about these mediums, Merrey elaborates, “most popular at the moment are fresh flowers, but there is a return to sugar flowers, also wafer paper… there are amazing cake artists doing incredible flowers and decorations with this modern medium”
In Good Taste
Although they can make an aesthetically pleasing centrepiece, it is important that a cake fulfils its primary function – “the wedding cake should always be as delicious as it looks”. Gone are the days of plum and fruit cakes topped with fondant icing, “as the cake is now mostly served as dessert, the taste is just as important as the design”.
can be an excellent way to introduce a burst of flavour without being overpowering. “A fruity curd – lemon, lime, passionfruit or mango – with vanilla or white velvet cake is popular,” Merrey explains. When planning your dream cake, tasting samples is an excellent way to determine what flavour combinations work well together. Your cake can help determine how it is served, “by adding a fruity curd to the middle of the cake, when it is served for dessert it can be dressed with fruit and cream”.
A Reflection Of You
Cakes represent a huge part of the wedding tradition, with boundless flavour profiles and decorative options, the bride and groom can really make the flavours and design personal, reflecting
themselves as individuals as they become a couple. As the cake is also part of the festivities where the guests get to partake in activities that are typically otherwise reserved for the bride and groom, the wedding cake can act as something that unites you with the rest of the wedding party.
As a testament to your love and unique relationship, your wedding should reflect you- cake and all! For Merrey, cakes are, “all about the couple. I love them to bring to the consultation elements of their wedding – the flowers, colours, theme, invitations – whatever makes them smile. Also, secretly, the wedding dress design, lace and any other elements that they have decided to incorporate into their special day”.
Alternative Arrangements
For some, the wedding cake is a symbolic gesture, and many opt for alternative arrangements. Cupcake towers are a popular alternative and “these sweet little cakes can be nicely decorated by the cake artist” which can serve as an additional personal touch for your guests. Merrey advises against, “donut towers and cheese rounds” stating that, “most couples with a donut tower want a cake to cut and the ones choosing the cheese rounds are not cake lovers”. However, when executed effectively, these options can be a delightful and fun alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Additionally, cake alternatives with singular portions such as cupcakes or donuts, can be an easy way for caterers to accommodate any guests who have dietary restrictions. “If you have a medical related dietary restriction, I urge you to seek a registered vendor. To be able to provide this service you need to bake in a ‘clean’ kitchen which does not contain any products which cause the issue. For ‘a registered home baking business’ this is not practicable.”
Whatever you choose for your wedding cake, the myriad options available to you and your partner will not only allow you to flex your creativity and flavour preferences, but to also showcase your own personal style as a couple.