Wedding Cake

he wedding cake has been a leading tradition in wedding ceremonies from as far back as the Roman Empire, although the wedding cake tasted more savoury than sweet in those days. The wedding cake consisted of flat, hard discs that meant to symbolize fertility. It was known as the ‘bride’s cake’ and was broken over the bride’s head in the celebrations. Perhaps the ladys got tired of taking barley and baked wheat out of the beautifully plaited and garlanded hairdo. Although many couples still have a great time pushing cake into others faces even today.

The wedding cake design has taken on different shapes, colours and sizes during the last few centuries. Between the fourteenth and fifteenth century, the trend was to pile a number of cakes over one another and make it into a tower. The bridal couple was meant to share a kiss over this tower without bringing the whole thing down. It was said that a kiss shared successfully indicated long life, prosperity and happiness for the new couple. The wedding cake represents a symbol leading towards happiness and good fortune much more than just a wedding course.

After witnessing cakes tumbling over the newlyweds many times a French chef in the 17th decided to create a much more solid tired cake and popularized the standard for firmly iced, tiered cakes. During the Edwardian and Victorian times, the wedding cake took on a new turn and much more elaborate. The chefs of these times created elaborate structures; multi tiered and covered in birds, butterflies, flowers and lace made of sugar. Even today, many of the wedding cakes follow these traditional lines, although now a days many more options are available. You can choose from traditional, multi tiered to wacky individual designs to cupcakes for each guest. The cake fillings have also under gone a revolution and range from chocolate, sponge, fruit to a the New Zealand favourite of lolly cake.

You may have an idea or vision of the perfect wedding cake or a design that you saw at a friend’s wedding. Pictures will help you when discussing cakes with your bakery or caterer, so collect a few photos of cakes from magazines before you approach a supplier. You can use our wedding services directory to help you find the perfect supplier in your area, good luck.
Article by Paul Web from Weddings Guide New Zealand Wedding guides and information resource and Wedding Price Best wedding prices online.