Let Them Eat Cake

As a wedding guest, I cannot wait to try the cake - more so than free alcohol, good catering, and cute groomsmen. Cheesecakes, cupcakes, red velvet, or traditional - I want a piece of each! As a photographer, I cannot wait to see the cake. It gives great insight into the couple and their style. A beautiful wedding cake often imitates a beautiful wedding.

The cake is such an important part of the ceremony and generally draws attention like a prince on a throne. It is part of many different wedding customs, and has been tradition for hundreds of years, dating back to Medieval times. Different from the sugary confections today, fruit cakes or a stack of warm bread buns were favored instead. 

The cake cutting has a long history itself. First, it was an activity the bride herself did to symbolize the loss of her innocence. Now, it is a ritual performed by both bride and groom to represent the first activity as a married couple. It also symbolizes the couple's agreement to provide for one another. 

Cake charms, though not largely popular anymore, have a long history. Charms were once baked into the wedding cake to embody different meanings as well. For example, a horseshoe signifies good luck, an anchor means adventure, a heart is true love, and a wish bone means a wish come true. If you opt to bake charms into your cake be sure to warn your guests before they dive right in!

Another tradition that has really taken hold is that of saving the top tier of the cake in order to eat on the one-year anniversary. If you want to go all out and truly relive the blissful memories of your wedding day, play dress up! Pull out your wedding dress, have your hubby don his suit, and go to town on those last few pieces of wedding cake - be sure to whisper sweet nothings to each other ;) 

We've seen so many variations on wedding cakes. Everything from the "less is more" to the downright extravagant. No matter what the design, as long as the cake is delicious then it is a total wedding win! 

The Groom's Cake: A Retro Tradition

For the most part, the wedding is all about the bride. The groom just needs to show up, look presentable, and say "I do." We often forget that it is important for him too, and whether he admits it or not, he has totally envisioned that big day as well. And while he might not have a lot of say in where the drapes should hang or what the programs should look like, he has complete and absolute control over one thing - the groom's cake. 

Time for a history lesson:

Do you know where this tradition started? 

It actually began in Victorian England in the 19th century. There were three cakes present at the receptions - a bride's cake, a groom's cake, and the wedding cake that was served to the guests. Traditionally, it was a fruit cake (whew thank goodness that has changed, right!?). The tradition stayed put here in the American south where it has gone in and out of fashion in multiple cycles. In the last few years, the groom's cake has seen a comeback - and it is bigger and better than ever!

Some brides like to surprise their grooms with a cake that represents something important to him. But I think, when it comes down to it, let the groom choose the groom's cake! It is the one thing that represents his personality entirely on a day that is so important to both bride and groom. Alma maters, hobbies, and favorite foods are pretty typical in this arena (speaking of arenas - check out that LSU cake!). Many couples are opting to serve the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner, giving it the whole spotlight for one night so it isn't fighting for attention at the wedding. 

Many might think it is a superfluous and unnecessary expense. What do you think? Axe the idea entirely, or let the groom have one thing that is all his? Would you surprise the groom or would you let him choose what he wants? 

Interesting Info: 

Legend has it that after boxing up individual slices for the guests, if an unmarried woman places her piece beneath her pillow she will dream of her future husband!