Cakes
Tiers of Joy
The wedding cake is the piece de resistance at your wedding feast. It towers towards the ceiling, covered in pristine white icing, adorned with ribbons and berries. Little wonder then that there is such ceremony attached to the cutting of the cake. Wedding cakes are another window on the style and personality of the wedding, so choose carefully! Here at South East Wedding magazine, we`ve been finding out more about these tiers of joy.
An elaborate wedding calls for an elaborate cake, while a simple wedding needs a cake with clean, classic presentation so your venue is important in considering what cake will work best. Tall or domed ceilings need rising cakes with pillars and glamorous detail. Contemporary, chic or intimate venues will suit a wedding cake that is simple and timeless, such as single tier with ivory with ribbon or decorative detail.
Here in Ireland we`re used to traditional fruit cakes, something that`s not likely to change any time soon. For autumn nuptials, fruit-laden and richly flavoursome cakes reflect the best of this time of year. Fruit cakes, in particular, also last for a long time if you preserve them in greaseproof paper and spike them with brandy. This makes it easier to distribute them to people who weren`t there as well as using them to celebrate the Christening of your new baby down the road.
However, if you and fruit cake don`t make a perfect match, there are many other types for you to consider. One tier can be a fruit cake to keep the traditionalists happy. Other tiers could include chocolate biscuit cake, carrot cake, Black Forest gateau, Madeira cake with lemon or butter cream filling, or walnut cake. Confectioners are the experts so leave it to their capable and creative hands to produce something that meets most, if not all, of your needs.
Chocoholics can indulge their fantasies with their wedding cake. Consider a white chocolate confection with a milk chocolate filling, adorned with flakes of white chocolate, seasonal berries and dark chocolate sauce. Or opt for a denser cake with mocha hazelnut filling, sprinkled with chocolate coffee nuts, an aromatic cake suitable for chocolate and coffee lovers.For a glimpse of the opulent French lifestyle of the past, a Croquembouche is a pyramid of profiteroles held together with spun sugar which has a dramatic effect. The same design can be copied with baby meringues for a Pavlova effect. This is also one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to combine dessert and the wedding cake.
Cup cake! Create bite-sized confections by asking your baker to create a batch of small cakes with icing made of vibrant colours. These can be arranged in tiers and offset by a glass plate offering a stunning modern take on the classic wedding cake tiers. For this time of year, go for icing in oranges, rich yellows and toffee browns...!
