Your Wedding Cake

Posted in Setting the Scene by Jacqui Neumann

Single tiered heart shaped wedding cake on wine barrel stand

ELYSIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

More than just a dessert - a sweet symbol of celebration

There’s something magical about the moment a wedding cake is unveiled. Guests lean in, phones at the ready, and for a few minutes, the cake becomes the star of the show. Your wedding cake is more than sugar and sponge—it’s tradition, artistry, and a reflection of your style as a couple. But how do you choose one that’s both beautiful and practical? Let’s talk tiers, flavours, and frosting.

Flavours that tell your story

Gone are the days when wedding cake meant dense fruitcake wrapped in marzipan. Today’s couples are treating their guests to flavour adventures: think lemon-and-elderflower for freshness, red velvet for drama, or salted caramel for decadence. And who says you have to stick to one? These days, bakers will let you mix and match flavours across tiers. It’s a clever way to please different palates and sneak in a nod to both of your individual favourites.

Plain white two tiered wedding cake with bright pink flowers surrounding

WHISKED CAKERY | JADE SHELTON PHOTOGRAPHY

The outer art of your cake

With your cake flavours decided, the next choice is how to dress it — your icing sets the tone for both the look and the taste:

Fondant: Smooth, sculpted, perfect for intricate designs and creating decorative sugar flowers or cake toppers that are a work of art.
Buttercream: American buttercream is sweet, rich and sturdy, making it perfect for bold flavours and warmer weather. Swiss meringue buttercream is silky, smooth, and less sweet, offering a refined finish that melts beautifully on the tongue. Both are ideal for more natural, textured finishes.
Ganache or glaze: Sleek, modern, and deliciously indulgent.

Beyond the taste of your icing, today’s cakes often double as décor. Florals, painted patterns, metallic leaf, pearls, and even pressed flowers can transform a simple sponge into edible art. The trick is to choose a style and colour palette that ties into your wedding theme, whether that’s boho, minimalist, opulent, romantic, or whimsical.

Size, scale, and budget hacks

Your baker will guide you on the right size cake for your guest list, but here are a few practical points worth noting. Not everyone eats cake, and timing matters. If you’re serving it as the main dessert, cater for the full crowd. If it’s a late-night indulgence or one of several sweet options, you can safely cater for fewer portions.

Dreaming of a towering showstopper but without the hefty price tag? Enter dummy tiers. These are polystyrene layers iced to look like the real cake. You’ll get the impact of a towering masterpiece without the expense or the waste, and your photographs will look rather grand.

(LEFT) WHISKED CAKERY | EMBERS & ENVELOPES PHOTOGRAPHY (CENTRE) CHRIS MCCABE PHOTOGRAPHY (RIGHT) THE KEEPERS MEDIA

Cake-cutting timing

Traditionally, couples cut their cake at the end of the night, but modern timelines are far more flexible. Cutting earlier ensures your photographer can capture the moment (even if they’re not staying until the end) and gives your caterer time to slice and serve it neatly for dessert. Cutting later keeps the classic tradition alive and gives your guests a sweet surprise to look forward to. There’s no right or wrong—just what fits best with your flow for the day.

Tradition with a twist

Are you thinking of saving the top tier for your first anniversary? Some couples love this tradition, but we recommend wrapping your cake properly in plastic wrap and placing it in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn. If you’re not a fan of year-old cake, you’re not alone. So, why not ask your baker to recreate a fresh mini version of your wedding cake for your anniversary? It’s just as nostalgic—and possibly even tastier.

What if wedding cake isn’t your thing? Dessert tables, cupcake towers, donut walls, or macaron pyramids are all popular alternatives. Your “cake moment” doesn’t have to be cake-shaped—it just needs to be sweet and celebratory.

(LEFT) CONWAY PHOTO & FILM (RIGHT) THE KEEPERS MEDIA

Practical smarts

I have watched too many horrifying videos of failed wedding cake installations to not include this nugget of advice: please, please, please always let your baker handle delivery and set-up. A multi-tiered cake doesn’t love potholes, steep driveways, or sharp corners. Pay the required delivery fee and leave this task in the hands of your baker. The end.

Trending now

Couples around the world are experimenting with cake designs more than ever. A few current trends that I look forward to seeing more of:

Infinity (or long) cakes: One of the latest trends, offering a fresh, modern twist on the traditional tiered cake. Easy to cut and serve, these interactive “cake bars” invite guests to gather around, cut a slice, and enjoy a more relaxed, communal dessert experience—without the cake needing to be whisked away to the kitchen for slicing.
Mini cakes: Single-serve miniature cakes look absolutely adorable, but this can be a pricey option. If you like the aesthetic but are budget-conscious, consider having them double as dessert or serve them instead of a guest favour.
Architectural elegance: Sculptural wedding cakes are taking centre stage in 2026 — bold, oversized, and artfully abstract, they blur the line between dessert and design. A true statement piece that turns your love story into edible art.

Your wedding cake should feel like you—whether that’s classic elegance, playful whimsy, or decadent drama. It doesn’t have to be the biggest or boldest cake in the room, but it should be one you’re excited to cut, share, and remember. After all, a slice of cake is really a slice of joy.