Wedding Cakes: Wedding Cake Designs and Cake Displays
Wedding cakes can be one of the most artistic displays of a wedding celebration. They can be incredible works of art, and with the right cakes display, they can become a focal point in your celebration.
I love creating show-stopping wedding cakes, cake designs, and creative cake displays using elaborate florals and dramatic lighting. Here are my top wedding cake ideas and tips for making your wedding cake design and cake displays a success.
Be sure to keep the following four design concepts in mind when designing a wedding cake and wedding cake display…
Photo by Armen Asadorian
1. Treat wedding cakes and cake display areas as central design elements
Wedding cakes aren't just a delicious dessert for your guests, they are also an integral part of your wedding's design. With the right look, they can be one of your wedding's most stunning elements!
When thinking of wedding cake ideas, don't forget the elements that will surround your wedding cake. These are the designs that make up your cake display and bring attention to your cake.
Getting the right cake displays is just as important for a cohesive design. You want the florals, table, and design details surrounding your cake - from backdrops to cake toppers - to match your reception's decor and theme.
2. Collaborate with your wedding cake artist and wedding designer
Go with a wedding bakery or cake artist that focuses both on flavors and design. Sample both traditional wedding cake flavors and modern twists such as Grand Marnier to get to know your flavor profiles. Multi-tiered wedding cakes allow you to combine various flavors and create stunning designs.
Working with your event designer can help you create a truly custom look. When we create cakes for weddings, businesses, and celebrations, we go through a custom design process. Use mood boards, color palettes and custom sketches from your event designer to get a look that speaks to you. You can even use details on your cake, from cake toppers to shapes and patterns that pay homage to your wedding dress.
Give these mood board, sketches, space renderings, and floor plans to your baker so they come up with the best layout and look for your cake. The more reference material they have, the better they can create a cake that's the right size, height, and look for your event. Communicate the aesthetic and environment you’re creating so they have a feel for how their cake can contribute to the event’s overall atmosphere.
3. Make a cake display that photographs beautifully
The wedding cake cutting is one of the most photographed moments of the night. Consider how your cake's design's will look in photos. Think about backdrops that go behind and around the cake, and the colors you want to appear in your images. Darker backdrops can create a more dramatic look, while lighters ones achieve a soft and ethereal atmosphere.
Ensure your cake display's backdrop is wide enough and covers anything distracting. If going with an open design, use floating and moving elements that surround and highlight the cake as a centerpiece. Make sure your wedding cake height is the right one for the couple to reach the layer they will cut easily.
Consider where the couple will stand, and make sure the lighting highlights them to showcase the moment. This is why people often use spotlights on cake displays.
4. Consider the wedding cake’s location
Where you place a wedding cake in the room can play a role in its focus on your wedding night. To make your wedding cake a spectacular detail, place it behind or near the couple’s sweetheart table. Placing wedding cakes near the dance floor is also a lovely way to capture it during the first dance.
Aside from the cake cutting, a beautiful cake can enhance photos throughout the night. Other events, from dances to speeches, can be highlighted by a beautiful cake display as a background.
If the cake itself is not a main focus for the couple, it can be placed in less focal corner. Each wedding can be different, so work with your couple to understand what events are important to them.
Wedding cake photos by: Kris Kan, Brian Leahy Photography, Kristine Grinvalde Photography, Jessica Claire Photography, Armen Asadorian Photography, Melody Melikian, Katie Beverley, Amanda Watson, Sakosan Photography
Planning a party, wedding, or event? We’d love to work with you!
From Southern California events and nationwide celebrations to product launches, brand events, and destination weddings, our team is here to create the design of your dreams. Reach out to learn about our event design services and availability.
Ready for more creative design and event ideas?
Sign up for our mailing list and down load Eddie Zaratsian's top tools and materials for florists and DIYers!