Over the last few years, we’ve all got a lot braver when it comes to wedding planning. Instead of following a set pattern, we’re now doing things our own way, making weddings personal and unique. More and more couples are happily ditching traditions that don’t suit and bringing new elements into their plans. However, one wedding favourite that seems to be more popular than ever is the wedding cake. But why do we serve these beautiful bakes at weddings and how have they changed over time?
Today, with our friends at Marks & Spencer we’re taking a mouthwatering look at wedding cakes through the years…
White Chocolate Ribbons Cake
£249.00 (£3.33 per 100g)
The wedding cake itself evolved from the 17th century Bride’s Pie and a sweeter cake replaced this savoury dessert as tastes and styles changed over the years. This is the moment when fruitcakes burst onto the wedding scene as these luxurious bakes were seen as symbols of prosperity and, most importantly for the men, fertility. At this time, two cakes were served – one for the groom and one for the bride. The groom’s cake, darker and smaller than the bride’s, eventually became a thing of the past and the bride’s cake, covered in white icing to represent purity, lived on.
Assorted cupcakes
By the 20th century, cakes had become such a central part of the wedding feast that during the food shortages caused by rationing in both World Wars, white cardboard covers were used in lieu of icing when sugar was among just one of the ingredients that was severely rationed. Friends and family would contribute fruit, eggs, butter, sugar and the other ingredients needed so that couples could still have a cake of sorts at their reception.
It’s only relatively recently that we’ve started to step away from tiered fruitcakes with white icing and now chocolate or flavoured sponge cakes, such as those available from Marks & Spencer, are tasty alternatives and individual cupcakes, smaller cakes or even savoury options are all available. Chocolate coatings, coloured or painted icing and gorgeous naked cakes covered with flowers, fruits, jewels and glittered or geometric designs are all possible complete with bunting or sparkling cake toppers. It’s fair to say that the wedding cake has come a long way!
Romantic Pearl Gluten Free Wedding Cake
Finally, if you’ve got more self-control around cake than I have, you might like to keep some of your cake (usually a small fruity layer) to use either at the christening of your first child or as a centrepiece for your first wedding anniversary celebrations. Why not order a small fruitcake to keep and then you can enjoy a second (or third!) slice of fabulous wedding cake without worry!
Traditional, vintage and contemporary Wedding cakes from Marks & Spencer can be ordered online or in store and you can find your nearest store on their website. Cakes range in price but even the most expensive is currently less than £350 with cutting cakes available for under £20.
To find out more about the available designs, simply take a look at mouthwatering wedding cake section on the Marks & Spencer website.
Love Tamryn x
This is a sponsored post.
