HISTORY OF THE WEDDING CAKE
You may have read on my social media or in my “about me”, that I am quite a lover of cake and biscuits. So, as you would expect finding facts about cake would be just up my interest.
Have you ever wondered where the common tradition of having a wedding cake came from? You have…. well wait no more and read the read the blog below.
As a wedding photographer, I get to see plenty of cakes. Tall cakes, short cakes, rustic cake, multi-tiered cake or indeed no cake at all but I also see every variation in between.
The wedding cake has long been a centrepiece of the big day, not just for the sweet taste but for the symbolism and tradition that it represents. I have often wondered where this traditional originates and how other couples are putting their own modern spin to this tradition.
A slice of historY
I was at a wedding a couple of year ago and it was said by one of the groomsmen that the wedding cake was a traditional gift from the newly married couple to their guests as a way of thanking them for attending such an important day. At the time I was amazed by that fact but I have since learnt that someone didn’t do their research properly (or maybe it is a explanation relevant to a different part of the world).
The tradition of the wedding cake actually dates back to Ancient Rome. At the time, it was not the creamy, frosted centrepiece that we all know, it was actually a simple wheat or barley cake and the groom would break it over his wife’s head as a symbol of fertility and good fortune. The guests would then scramble around to pick up the crumbs as a way of sharing the couples good luck and fortune.
Lets fast-forward to medieval England and the guests of the wedding would bring small cakes which would then be piled into a tower. The couple would then try to kiss each other across the top of the tower and if successful, it was said that the couple would enjoy a long and prosperous life together.
However, it was not until the 17th and 18th centuries that the wedding cakes began to resemble the tiered showstopping centrepieces we are all very well familiar with today. As sugar became more widely available, the white icing was a symbol of purity and wealth, a sign that the bride came from a family of means. It was Queen Victoria and Prince Alberts wedding in 1840 where the towering white cake helped to set the standard for the wedding cakes that we all know today.
Cake-Cutting: A tradition but is there a meaning?
I have always thought that the cutting of the cake was just part and parcel of the wedding day, a long standing order of the day that we all must follow. A little bit like the tradition of the bride being late, the first kiss and the first dance. Well, there is a little of that but there is more meaning behind it than I clearly thought.
The cutting of the cake together symbolises unity of the couple, it is the couples first act as newlyweds and the promise to provide and care for each other. The sharing of the cake with guests reflects hospitality and the sweet beginning of the couples next journey in their lives.
As a wedding photographer, it is this moment which is often one of my favourites to capture – weather this is a gentle slice and a loving smile exchanged between the bride and groom or a cheeky bit of cake on the face, it usually tells the fun part of a couples relationship.
ALTERNATIVE WEDDING CAKE IDEAS
Not every couple chooses to follow the long standing tradition of a wedding cake – and that is the beauty of modern weddings: they are whatever you want them to be. Some of the alternatives wedding cake ideas I have seen (and photographed) are:
Cupcake towers
Perfect for couples who want to offer variety and ease of serving. Cupcake towers can be decordated to match your wedding theme. Even better, there is no need to slice the cake which means guests can simply help themselves. .
Champagne towers
Less edible but more celebratory – a champagne tower it a real showstopper and adds a touch of glamour to the wedding. Fantastic visual for photographs and can be used as a entrance to your evening party.
The wedding I attended with Champagne towers were creating a touch of James Bond theme to their evening reception.
Cheese cake towers (Yes, real actual cheese)
For the savoury lovers out there, a Cheese “cake” is typically made up of stacks of wheeled cheeses such as Brie, Stilton and Chedder. Dressed with figs, grapes and rustic bread for a dramatic centrepiece.
Doughnut walls or dessert tables
Not strictly a cake, but these are a growing trend. Colourfuil, interactive and completely customisable to your theme or taste. Dessert tables let couples offer a range of sweet treats for guests to choose from.
It’s your day – have your cake (or not)
Weather you are going to be getting a five tier masterpiece, rustic semi-naked sponge or skipping cake completely, the choice is entirely yours. It is your wedding day, your love story and your chance to put your signature stamp on your wedding day but doing it your way.
As your photographer, I will be there to capture it all: from the elegent cake-cutting moments to the laugher as your bast man tries to balance a champagne flute at the top of the tower (and hopefully not smash all of the glasses, owch that would be expensive).
If you are currently planning your big day and looking for an award winning wedding photographer to capture those beautiful, meaningful moments – cake aswell – I would love to hear from you.
Let’s have a chat about your plans today – tea and cake anyone 🙂
