Wedding Trends: Alternatives to Wedding Cakes

You may have noticed that wedding cakes tend to take center stage as it is a symbol that is prominently displayed at wedding receptions. What you may not have noticed is that many wedding guests do not like wedding cake and so the slices of sugary decadence often end up in the trash. If you’re looking for a couple of ideas to replace or in addition to the wedding cake, here are few to get you started.

The Cupcake Makes a Comeback (with a Twist)

In Miami, one thing I’ve noticed is that couture cupcake bakeries are popping up in all of the different areas of town. These are not your standard Betty Crocker cupcakes either because they come in flavors and designs that almost look and seem too gorgeous to eat (but are as delicious as they look). Cupcakes can also be displayed to simulate cake layers, placed at each place setting or designed into a cupcake buffet table, where guests can choose the flavor they wish. You can just as easily create your own cupcakes (for you DIYers out there) and put them on display. It may be nostalgia of days gone by or something different, but those cupcakes will disappear faster than any slice of wedding cake ever will.

Dessert Buffets

Another option is a wedding buffet or dessert table. Similar to a buffet restaurant, several different dessert options are put on display. Guests can either serve themselves or you can have the wait staff visit guest tables and ask which dessert they prefer. Pies, tarts, cakes, ice cream, cookies and more are but some of the options you may display.

Cookie or Candy Table

You can also pile a table high with platters of cookies or a myriad of dishes filled with different candies. Guests can fill up on the sweet treats after the meal and you can even provide favor boxes or bags for guests to carry out the treats for later.

Let Them Eat Cake

By Danielle L. Green, Collective Elements http://www.collectiveelements.com/

Choosing a wedding cake is a given when planning one’s nuptials but in these modern times, some wonder if it’s necessary. The wedding cake can be more than just the central piece of the reception’s décor. It can also serve as a way to honor one’s traditions and culture.

In China, many couples serve a massive layer cake called lapis rurabaya. Each layer represents a ladder of success for the couple. Couples cut the cake from the bottom up, serving pieces to their parents and grandparents.

In medieval England, guests would bring small, home-baked cakes as gifts for the marrying couple. The cakes would be stacked as high as possible and the bride and groom would be challenged to kiss over the top cake. It was considered a symbol of prosperity. This tradition is said to be where the idea of cake toppers was born. During the reign of King Charles II, frosting was added to the stack of cakes. It is also tradition for British couples to save the entire top tier of the cake until the birth of their first child. This tier is called the christening cake.

Rum cake is a traditional wedding cake on many Caribbean islands. It is a fruitcake macerated with sherry, wine, or rum. People from Bermuda may also have a small sapling on the top of the cake. The sapling symbolizes the bride and groom’s growing love.

The Danish prefer cornucopia cake. This ring shaped almond cake is decorated with marzipan and pastilage and filled in the center with candy, almond cakes, fresh fruit, or sorbet. To avoid bad luck, the bride and groom cut the cake together and all guests must eat a slice. Greeks prefer a flourless almond cake, filled with vanilla custard and fruit. The cake is then covered in almonds. Another traditional Greek wedding cake is made of honey, sesame seed, and quince. Most Italian weddings include zuppa inglese. This delightful tiered pound cake is filled with chocolate custard, vanilla custard, rum cream, and fruit, and then trimmed with flower blooms of royal icing.

Some cultures don’t serve cake at all. Besides, zuppa inglese, in some regions of Italy, mille-foglie is served. Mille-foglie is made from layered filo pastry, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberries. Lithuanians serve sakotis, a cookie-like pastry shaped like a Christmas tree. Couples from Iceland serve kransakaka. Kransakaka is created from ring-shaped almond pastries formed into a pyramid shade. The center is filled with chocolates or candies. The French traditionally serve a croquembouche. Cream-filled pastries are coated in caramel and stacked into a tall pyramid shape. Yummy!

Couples in the Ukraine share Korovai. Korovai is wedding bread decorated with symbols for eternity and the joining of two families. The bread is considered to be sacred. In Norway, different wedding bread is served called brudlaupskling. This bread is topped with cheese, cream, and syrup before being folded and cut into small squares for well wishers. Greek couples may also choose sourdough wedding bread over cake. This bread is decorated with beads and blossoms.

The wedding cake is more than just a visual focal point of a wedding. It can be an excellent way to pay homage to your ancestry and continue traditions as you build your life together.