In our time as wedding photographers we must have seen somewhere in the region of 500 wedding cakes, and, I don't tire, everyone is lovely and personal to each wedding and each couple. I love how much the guests all coo over the cake and I love the personal touches that each couple adds to their own cake.
Where do wedding cakes come from? So, you can read up information everywhere and some say the Romans, but that was really just a bread that they ate not a cake. The tradition of the cake has changed, from medieval times it was made from a wheat base that symbolised fertility and luck. Now the Roman tradition (apparently) was the guests would grab crumbs to get some of their good luck. We now give away our cake and therefore share our good fortune and luck with those we love and choose to share our special day.
The first real wedding cake recipe was by Price (1655) in "The Complete Cook" and in the 18th century ingredients changed from being less flour based to almonds, raisins, spices and plums (a version known as the plum cake). In the 20th century we saw the introduction of cherries and sultanas and as sugar became more affordable then it wasn't just the rich that had a great wedding cake. In the last 20 years cakes have really changed with the ingredients being less of the traditional wedding cake and more sponges, chocolate, lemon and other flavours that are more favoured by todays pallets.
For me, every wedding day, I love to see the cake and the special touches that have been brought into the theme of the day. My favourite from last year and my friend Geoff will love this one. Is the beautifully white iced cake for Becky and Marc's wedding in September at Nottingham Golf Club. Which was presented to the guests and out in all its splendour whilst they ate their wedding breakfast. It wasn't until it was turned round in the evening that the quirky back of the cake displayed the comic hero's bursting out. Its these sort of things that are such fun to see.
Then there was the lovely and fun Annie and Lee from 2016 (Annie should be on the stage, she had me in stitches all day...beautiful hair too). I managed to grab a shot (fun shot) after they officially cut their cake on the dance floor of her hubby pushing her into the cake one of those you've got to do it in the moment type shots!
So, when your looking for your cake, there are so many fabulous options and some wonderful cake makers out there. If I was to give one word of advice, get it transported professionally to your wedding venue as this is where the odd little mishap may happen. But don't worry photoshop works wonders on little dents!
