After budgeting and planning your wedding meal, the next big thing on the list is usually the wedding cake. Different trends and techniques have emerged over the years so couples can really choose exactly what they want for their wedding cake. They can personalize everything now from the flavor, to the colors, to the decor, to even opting for a cake alternative. There are endless possibilities.
Maybe you haven’t thought about the cake yet, but like anything that is wedding related, if the vendor is popular you will probably need to book months in advance. So to help you and your partner find inspiration, here are some of the most popular trends for wedding cakes for 2023. This is one of the sweetest decisions you’ll be making other than saying “I do”.
Small Cakes
Whether it’s because you will be having an intimate wedding or you will be having an elaborate spread of sweets, many couples are downsizing their wedding cake. This does not mean you have to sacrifice taste or design. In fact, you may be able to get the cake design of your dreams if you go small!
Unexpected Colors
Of course you cannot go wrong with white at a wedding, but don’t be afraid to use unexpected colors. This is a great way to show off you and your partners personality if colors are what you love.
Pressed Florals
You’ve probably seen this trend as art, phone cases, jewelry, you name it! Now it has reached the desserts and cake sphere. This was a very popular trend this year and is not slowing down. If this is your aesthetic (whimsical and romantic), it’d be a great choice for your cake.
Tiers Upon Tiers
Although we mentioned couples are downsizing their cakes, some are choosing to upsize. High tiered cakes use to be an aspirational goal and for a while sky high wedding cakes were not that popular. It seems now they are making a come back with a modern twist. With new baking techniques and styles these multi-tiered wedding cakes do not need to look like a blast from the past.
Mini Individual Cakes
Cutting a giant tiered cake can take some time, plus your beautiful cake needs to be taken apart so each guest can get a piece. Something you may want to consider is having individual sized mini cakes for your guests. Therefore, you and your partner can easily do the cake cutting with your small cake tier and everyone else can easily grab their own pieces!
Modern Designs
Like any type of art form, ideas and techniques are ever evolving. Your wedding cake can look like a modern work of art if you so wish.
Full Pattern
Adding a simple pattern to your wedding cake can make it quite unique. This way you and your partner can show off your individuality. The cake can also reflect you both as a couple.
Fruit as Decor
We love flowers, who doesn’t, but fruit can also be a great way to decorate your cake. Of course dried citrus has become a favorite over the years, but there are other fruits that can be the star of your cake if you want.
3D Florals
This is different than fake or fresh flowers, because this is due to the skill of your baker creating these pieces by hand. We’ve seen bakers use piping techniques to create flowers, but this takes it one step further to truly replicate flowers with fondant or other edible materials.
Black Cakes
The rule that wedding gowns should be white has gone out the window. And with that so have the wedding cakes. Go bold and dark if that is what you wish, because you do not need to follow any rules for your big day.
Alternative Shapes
Nobody said your cake has to be round! Increasingly, couples are picking cakes that are not solely round. Some may feel a square or rectangular shape is too similar to just a regular sheet cake. But these shapes can also be elevated with the right pattern and design. Plus, circular cakes are the most difficult to cut up if you think about it.
Cake Alternatives
Not everyone is into cakes or into sweets even. We’ve already seen the rise of donuts, cupcakes, cookies, pies as alternatives to a wedding cake. Now, you can do away with sweets even and have a savory item instead. Charcuterie spreads are becoming increasingly popular for the apres dinner course.
Elaborate Cake Tables
Not only are our cakes becoming increasing beautiful and ornate, where the cake sits at weddings are also getting an upgrade. If you and your partner are the type that wants to do the most for your wedding, having an elaborate cake setup is right up your alley.
Final Thoughts
There’s no better time for couples to throw rules out the window and truly tailor weddings the way they want. Sure, some may still have cultural expectations to uphold in regards to the ceremony. What better way to ‘rebel’ than choosing whatever you want as the wedding cake.
