Unique and Unusual Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes are more than just dessert. They are one of the most memorable parts of your reception. Couples have always chosen cakes that had a certain "wow" factor, but lately it seems like brides and grooms are looking for a completely custom cake that is as unforgettable as it is beautiful and delicious.  Cake artists are rising to the challenge and creating gorgeous confectionary masterpieces that are unique and sometimes a little unusual. We've chosen some of our favorite cakes that are distinctive yet still dazzling. We also broke them down into a few different themes that have recently caught our eye.

Inspired by Art

Lovers of fine art will appreciate these wedding cakes inspired by famous works of art from the likes of Van Gogh and Gustav Klimt.

Image Credits: Starry Night from Rosesen, Tiffany from Maggie Austin Cake, Gustav Klimt from Finishing Touch

Colorful Confections
Gone are the days of the pure white or ivory wedding cake. A pop of color is what brides want to see these days, even if it is just in a small decorative touch like the patterned bunting on the cake below.

Image Credits: Ombre Hearts from Erica Obrien, Colorful Bunting from 100 Layer Cake, Cubes from Project Wedding

High Romance

Frills, flowers, and a blush of pink are all details we love in this romantic, victorian look. Your hubby-to-be might demand a more masculine version for his groom's cake, but that would be a fun compromise that could only set off the feminine beauty of these ruffled desserts.

Image Credits: Ruffles from The Cake Blog, Roses from Peggy Porschen, Pink Love Letter from Martha Stewart

Playful Cakes

Nontraditional colors and shapes can come together to create a wedding cake that cheerfully defines the personalities of the newlywed couple.

Image Credits: Topsy Turvy from Pink Cake Box, Nautical from Pink Cake Box, Whimsical Cake Tiers from Confetti Cakes

Delectable Dessert Displays and Sweet Treats – An Inspiration Board

A growing trend in weddings this year is to offer your guests a sweet treat in the form of a stunning dessert display at your wedding.  Cupcake displays were big last year, but dessert displays will be the big treat for guests this year, focusing more on cookies, specialty desserts, and of course a wedding cake or two!  With so many different tasty options out there, it may be hard to decide what to offer for your guests’ indulgence.  We recommend sticking with you and your soon-to-be hubby’s favorite desserts, whether they include a family recipe for fresh-baked cookies or gourmet goodies.  Plan on three to four miniature desserts per person if no cake is being offered.

 

Brides will be going all-out on decorations for their dessert displays this year, and paying attention to even the tiniest detail.  There are so many different options for decorating your dessert display, including a lot of great DIY projects for the crafty bride.  Consider using a cabinet, dresser, or bookshelf for a unique look.  Streamers, pennant bunting, and backdrops are all things that can be crafted at home, or purchased if you are not the do-it-yourself type.  Greenery or balloons are both great options to change the feel of your display.  With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your dessert display into the talk of the evening!

Image Credits: Polka Dot Backdrop, Pastel Streamers and Desk, Pinwheel Backdrop, Wine Barrels, White Balloons and Dresser, Donut Stand, Cabinet Display, Chandelier, Bunting, Branch Cupcake Stand, Greenery, Pink Streamers and Bookshelf, Macaroons, Oversize Balloon Backdrop

Wedding Cake Trends for 2012

We are beginning the engagement season and soon many brides to be will be planning their 2012 weddings. One of the key ingredients to your wedding and also usually the focal point of your wedding reception is your wedding cake. What are the hot trends for 2012, you ask, well we have made a list below of a few things to keep in mind when planning your 2012 wedding cake.

Wedding Cake Flavors:  Expect new and exciting flavor options for 2012 wedding cakes such as, passion fruit, pomegranate and fig. Not only will brides be shopping for fruit flavored cakes but also the old flavors. Expect to also have options of chocolate-orange or chocolate and strawberry. Just remember, even if fruit seems to be the trend, you will want to get the flavor you and your groom like the most, or several flavors, depending on the amount of cake tiers you want.

Vintage Wedding Cakes: Vintage cakes will remain popular in 2012. Vintage cakes normally display a large amount of texture, such as lace or fabric looking fondant and are adorned with many details. Bows and brooches will be a popular add-on for the vintage style as well, but color is not. If you want a large splash of color, vintage is not what you are looking for.

Hand Painted Wedding Cakes:  Another popular trend in 2012 will be very basic cakes that are painted to your specification. Of course with a cake of this nature you will need to find a fabulous cake artist. If you do, the sky is the limit and you can have the cake of your dreams designed for your big day.

Size of Wedding Cake: It also looks like tall cakes are making a comeback. Bride’s want to make a huge impression with their wedding cakes. If you are interested in a taller cake, keep in mind that taller does not always mean more money. You can have faux tiers added to the cake and you can also have the tiers made not as wide to keep the cost down as well. This will get the dramatic effect you are looking for without breaking the bank.

Flowers on Wedding Cakes: In 2012 roses, calla lilies and hydrangeas will be moving out and ranunculus, peonies and magnolias will be moving in. If you want to have real flowers added to your wedding cake, don’t forget to consider cost, and the time of year you are getting married.

Royal Influenced Wedding Cakes: Of course there are going to be many brides that will want to duplicate or come as close as they can to Will and Kate’s royal wedding cake. This will be a hard cake to duplicate but with the many fabulous cake artist of today, I’m sure there will be many of you that will get the Royal wedding cake you are looking for.

Shop around and find what works best for you, your budget and your taste.

 Good Luck