6 NEW tasty wedding cake trends (By Rachelle Dragani)
Every good wedding guest knows they can't show up to the wedding looking better than the bride - quite impossible, of course - but some new trends in wedding cake design make the pastry seem like it's trying to steal the show! Gone are the days of a simple white-on-white, three-tiered sponge; these trends from the cake-baking world will demand a page in your photo album dedicated to dessert:
1. Black, White & Pop!
Cakes decorated in black and white have become popular in recent years for their striking appearance atop the dessert table. White frosting with delicate black flower outlines or white with bold black stripes are two especially popular designs. But why stop at the black and white? Add some pop to the cake with one bold accent color, such as red roses or bows the color of the bridesmaid dresses. The cake will have the elegance of black and white plus a touch of fun flair.
2. Personalized
Raised initials in the frosting or even poetry written across the layers of the cake can be a classy personal touch to the dessert. You can even ask the baker if you can bring in a sample of your handwriting to follow in order to create the lettering; that way the couple can truly feel like they contributed to the cake without having to clean up the kitchen!
3. Creative Accents
Fresh flowers on top of your pastry creation will never lose their charm, but there are plenty of other options to liven the decoration. Bows, ribbons, edible pearls, jewels, fresh or sugared fruit are all simple ways to accent a plain base. Holiday wedding cakes are especially beautiful with festive accents - mistletoe or sparkly sugared snowflakes both tie in the holiday spirit and create a beautiful dessert.
4. Metallic Accents
If you think fresh oranges or a big red bow might be too bold of an accent for your wedding décor, consider using simple metallic lines or dots to make a sophisticated statement on your cake. Brassy accents are best for more formal, night receptions, and look especially elegant when simply lined with pearls.
5. Eat it All!
Don't worry about having to clean out space in your freezer for a year to preserve some of your cake for the traditional first anniversary dessert. Most bakeries, possibly for a small charge, promise the couple another tasty "anniversary" cake one year after they're married. You'll be able to enjoy the same taste you devoured on your wedding without having to defrost it for two days ahead of time, or worrying about nasty freezer burn!
6. Centerpiece Cakes
With so many ways to make your cake great, how is a couple supposed to decide on just one? With centerpiece or mini cakes, there's no need to! Instead of one large cake, many couples opt for a smaller cake designed as a centerpiece at each table and intended just to serve the number of guests seated there. You can encourage guests to mingle by offering different flavors and designs at the different tables, or use this as your chance to get around to everyone by insisting on cutting the first slice in each cake. What's more, this cuts down on your wedding budget since smaller cakes are often less expensive than a large one, and you won't need to buy other decorations for a centerpiece!
