Wedding Cakes in the New
Millennium
by Jennifer Simmons,
Sweet Artistry by Jennifer,
Cleveland, OH
In the past, wedding cakes have gone through
a great deal of
transformations, from the ancient fertility ritual of crumbling wedding
"cake" (generally a crumbly biscuit-like bread) over the bride's head at
the wedding ceremony, to the turn of the 20th century status symbol of
the all white cake. In between these times, wedding cakes were heavy,
dark cakes filled with fruit and soaked in brandy - similar to the
traditional cakes today. Bleached flour and refined sugar were
scarce and very expensive therefore a large all white cake was very
extravagant and saved for the most special occasions- like a wedding.
Today, couples have many choices for their
wedding cake. Not only does
the cake not have to be white, but also it can be composed of different
flavors in the different tiers. As the tradition has swung away from
the all white cake, flavor has become much more important. Many bakers
are offering tortes and specialty cakes as wedding cakes. Wedding
guests are pleasantly surprised to find delicious desserts disguised as
wedding cakes.
The outward design of wedding cakes has
changed as well. Today's cake
designs reflect a more modern style, some very simple and understated,
others very ornately decorated. The wedding cake should be a reflection
of the bride and groom's sense of style. Decorating options include
fondant icing for a very smooth flawless surface available in many
colors to compliment your wedding theme. Of course, traditional white
buttercream icing is still a very popular choice.
Look through any current wedding magazine and
you will notice another
wedding trend, the lack of bride and groom figurines. While some
couples still opt for this traditional decoration to adorn the top tier
of their cakes, it is becoming scarcer. Instead the bride and groom are
choosing floral arrangements, real or sculpted out of sugar to top their
cakes as well as the sides. Sugar flowers have the added advantages of
not containing any potentially toxic pesticides like fresh flowers do,
and can be kept as a keepsake for years to come when cared for and
displayed properly.
Cakes in the new millennium are a reflection
of the wedding couple is
their chance to make a statement about who they are and their sense of
style. Basically, the limits of wedding cakes have been removed.
Today's cakes are more sculptural than the cakes of the past. Just
about anything you could imagine could be transformed into a wedding
cake design. They can have a sense of humor, be bold and daring, or
calm and simple. Most of all they should be thought of as the
centerpiece of your reception and the chance to express your
personality.
by Jennifer Simmons
Sweet Artistry by Jennifer
http://home.worldnet.att.net/~sweetartsbyjennifer/
sweetartsbyjennifer@worldnet.att.net
(216) 382-3585
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