Wedding Pro Tips: Let Them Eat Cake!

The wedding cake has a long and interesting history. In Medieval England cakes were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over; if they successfully kissed over the stack they were guaranteed a prosperous life together. White wedding cakes became the vogue in Victorian times because white symbolized purity, and it gained popularly for far more practical reasons. At the time, ingredients for the wedding cake, especially for the icing, were much harder to acquire. A white icing meant that only the finest refined sugar was used and only the posh people could afford such sugar. While the tradition of a couple cutting the cake together has become a symbol of beginning their life together, it also had a more practical start. Originally it was the bride's task to cut and distribute the cake to guests, but as cakes became much grander and the task more formidable, the time came for a joint effort.

 At Camp Lucy, we never cease to be amazed by the wedding cakes that arrive - carefully delivered and positioned on their table, they are sweet feats of baking magic. Because wedding cakes play such a starring role, we asked a couple of stellar baking pros - Lori of Classic Cakes by Lori and Leah of Better Bites Bakery - for some helpful wedding cake tips.  

Fondant or Buttercream?...That is the Question!
Some brides don't like the taste or the cost of fondant, but absolutely love the spectacular vision of a fondant covered cake. What many don't realize is that a buttercream cake can actually look just as amazing, explains Lori of Classic Cakes by Lori. Special cake artists can smooth their buttercream to look like fondant, making not only a more affordable cake, but an often tastier one as well.  

Which Came First? The Venue or the Cake?
If you chose Camp Lucy before you chose your cake, you're on the right track. Leah of Better Bites Bakery, recommends always choosing your reception venue before your cake tasting as your options for wedding cake and dessert bars are determined by weather and outdoor or indoor placement.  

Know Your Baker and Consider All Your Guests
When choosing a cake company for your wedding cake, be sure to ask to see their portfolio of pictures of both buttercream and fondant covered cake options so that you can make an informed decision, advises Lori. Remember, this is your cake. While this is your wedding, Leah always keeps in mind those guests with food allergies. She recommends providing at least one gluten-free dessert bite or small cake for them to enjoy. And, finally, when booking for a dessert bar, she advises planning on 3 bites per guest.

Gluten-free bites by Better Bites Bakery. 

Buttercream frosted cake by Classic Cakes by Lori as seen on Style Me Pretty.