Day #8 of Planning Your Wedding - Let's Talk about Cakes, Baby

Blue Crab Cupcakes of Annapolis

Blue Crab Cupcakes of Annapolis

Baking has taken the world by storm. Everywhere you look there is another baking show telling us that even kids are better bakers than we are. Thank goodness for the professionals. Bakeries are making some amazing cakes that go beyond the conventional, into the confectional heaven.

Living Radiant Photography at Hunt Valley Country Club.

Living Radiant Photography at Hunt Valley Country Club.

Ashley’s Sweet Beginnings by Britney Clause Photography

Ashley’s Sweet Beginnings by Britney Clause Photography

Tears for Tiers: The average wedding cake these days is anything but average. Gone are the strict cake rules of the past. You can go all out in tiered design and layers of taste. The nearly naked cake is super on trend and for great reason. It is chic and fashionable, like that cute off-the-shoulder dress you love, especially when accessorized by your florist. Fun isn’t just for the grooms cakes any longer, either. Eclectic, stylized tiered cakes are also a great way to evoke the whimsical and maybe even take you to a galaxy far far away. Let the cake represent you as a couple, not just as a cake topper.

The Non-cake cake: This is my favorite trend, well, because…shhhhh….Don’t tell, I really don’t like cake. The non-cake wedding is my jam, you know, as in fruit pies. All puns aside, bakeries are starting to specialize in alternative wedding desserts. Tiers of donuts, pastries, and even cheese wheels are on the top of 2019 wedding trends. Hunt Valley, Maryland’s Ashley’s Sweet Beginnings provides a variety of confectionary delights, everything from pies to puddings to macarons. Cupcakes, like those of Blue Crab Cupcakes of Annapolis, are also a fabulous way to give your guests a variety of flavors and a bit of fun. And did I mention, no cake cutting. Talk about the best idea ever. No cutting set, no charge for the caterer to cut and serve. Best of both worlds; having your cake and eating too. Check out our bakeries page for a list of inspired cake bakers ready to provide that perfect sweet treat to your special day.

Take the time to sit down and really think about not just what you want the cake to look like, but also what would you like it to taste like. Let your baker know your dinner menu choices as well. This will help them to steer you in a direction with a dessert that compliments your guests’ already tantalized taste buds. Set up a tasting six months prior to your wedding date to make sure you find a perfect fit. The tasting is a great time to not only nail down favors but also check in on delivery, set-up and additional fees and to check on how much time they will need to be in venue or special equipment needed for day of storage. We’ve selected a few cake ideas on Pinterest to get you pinning. Be sure to check it out.

Just how crazy can you get with flavors you might ask. Cake is as unique as you are as a couple. Bakers have cake flavors from Key Lime Pie, S’mores, Snickerdoodle, to a personal favorite, Cannoli. Be open beyond chocolate and raspberry and talk with your baker, they make cake because it brings them and pretty much everyone else joy.  Remember, the cake is a way to thank your guests for coming. Don’t get bogged down in tradition and forget the fun. Oh, and for goodness sake, duck when he comes towards you with the fork. 

Be sure to leave us comments of favorite flavors you’ve tasted or look forward to trying and tag us in your photos and confectionary inspirations on Facebook and Twitter. We love fresh ideas!