Wedding Cakes  

The history of the wedding cake dates back to Roman times when it took the form of a loaf of wheat or barley bread.  The bride and groom would share a piece of the bread and then the bread would be broken over their heads to bring them prosperity and fertility.  It was considered good luck for the wedding guests to eat t he crumbs of loaf that landed on the floor. 

During the middle ages each guest brought one small biscuit or scone to the wedding which were piled on top of each other, similar to the cupcake design now chosen by many couples.  The bride and groom had to kiss each other over the top of the piled cakes to bring them good luck in their marriage.  By the 17^th century French bakers were making wheat buns and coating them with icing which was the beginning of the resemblance to the modern day wedding cake. 

In the 19^th century sweet fruit cakes became popular which could be stored for longer periods of time.  They were iced in white to symbolize purity.  This white icing was made with only the finest refined sugar which was both expensive and difficult to source.  So, the whiter the cake, the more affluent the family appeared. 

Symbolically, cutting the first slice of the wedding cake is the first task that bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife and as such displays unity.  At the reception the bride cuts the first two slices with the groom’s hand placed over hers.Traditionally, the top tier of the wedding cake is often kept for the first wedding anniversary or as a christening cake for the couple’s first child. 

Wedding cakes can be made in traditional rich fruitcake or a variety of flavoured sponges, however more modern versions are now available including mini wedding cakes, cupcakes or even a fairy cake tower wedding cake.  

Your cake supplier will be able to help you establish the size of cake required to accommodate your guests, however it is possible to provide an extra cutting cake or dummy cakes if required.  Remember you will also need a base or stand to display your wedding cake to its full potential.