The wedding cake is one of the highlights of a wedding reception. Traditional wedding cakes are tall with multiple tiers. The main color is usually white, either with icing or fondant covering it. This can be a beautiful centerpiece to the reception. Placing a personal stamp on tradition or going completely outside the box is more the style of some brides. There are many great ways to approach a non-traditional wedding cake. With a bit of creativity, the happy couple can find the perfect wedding cake match.
Small wedding cakes
A trend has popped up over recent years to have small wedding cake for each table to enjoy, instead of one large cake to serve everyone. These cakes can be elegantly decorated or fun shapes and colors. Cake serving utensils are provided at each table so guests can portion their own piece.
Shaped Cakes
Make the cake meaningful to the couple. Have a carved cake that appears to be something that reflects the personality the bride and groom. A dog shaped cake for animal lovers, a favorite sports team mascot or even a favorite food portrayed in cake!
Mini Cheesecakes
Instead of a large cake, create a display of individual cheesecakes. Various types and toppings can be used to suit the guest’s tastes. Each mini cheesecake should be created in a foil cupcake wrapper to allow the guests to hold and eat them easily. Fruit toppings such as cherry, blueberry and strawberry are very popular. More decadent bites such as marbled chocolate cheesecake or caramel will thrill guests.
Cupcakes
Cupcakes have become trendy favorites. Break outside of the normal flavor box and try exotic flavors and fillings. Try fruit flavors such as key lime, lemon or strawberries and cream. Adults only weddings can have coffee liquor frosting on chocolate cupcakes or amaretto liquor butter-cream on a pound cake cupcake base. Combinations of flavors such as a French vanilla cupcake with hazelnut filling, chocolate icing and a caramel drizzle will wow the guests.
Cookie ‘cakes’ are a fun approach to a traditional wedding cake. Instead of having a cake base, create a tiered display with gourmet cookies. The cookies can either be boxed or wrapped individually or displayed nicely with a set of tongs for retrieval by guests.
Fresh Fruit ‘cake’
Have a fresh watermelon carved to create a bowl for mouth-watering fresh fruit salad for the guests to enjoy. For a little extra kick, add a bottle or two of wine into the fruit salad. Have a variety of fruits to create a colorful display. Several types of melon, strawberry, blueberry, pineapple and pear make a beautiful combination.
Croquembouche
This is a traditional French wedding cake. It is gaining in popularity in the United States, but still rarely seen. Croquembouche is a tower of cream filled puff pastry balls, held together by caramel or a touch of royal icing. It can be decorated with nuts or shaped chocolate or sugar icing. A string sugar veil is often wrapped around the cake, giving it a light and airy feel.
Each bride and groom should let their personality shine through. A wedding is a unique experience that will hopefully last a lifetime. Create memories that will last with a cake that matches the couple. Guests will be pleasantly surprised at the unique take on the traditional and be talking about the event for weeks to come.
More From This Contributor:
Outside the Box Wedding Invitation Ideas
How To Tips on Planning an Outdoor Wedding
Backyard Wedding Reception
Non Traditional Bridal Headpieces
