A cake is the piece de resistance of the wedding. Guests anxiously await the unveiling of the cake near the end of the festivities.
Modern cakes are showpieces grander in scale than in years past. As bakers and confectioners hone their skills with fondant, butter cream and gum paste even further, the results are often impressive, awe-inspiring cake designs.
While the look of a wedding cake is certainly important, cakes should taste good as well. Vanilla cake with vanilla butter cream frosting was once the gold standard.
However, today's couples are being more adventurous with their wedding cake selections and winning rave reviews from guests along the way.
Those who might want to veer from tradition can consider these clever cake combinations.
Lemon cake with vanilla butter cream: Lemons are tart, juicy and refreshing, helping to cleanse the palate after a rich meal. Lemon cake, with its summery feel, is tailor-made for summer weddings. The flavour is popular enough to appeal to many, but just a little different to add an unexpected zip.
Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and mocha filling: True chocoholics will be hard-pressed to resist such a decadent flavour profile. Chocolate can be sweet and satisfying and a welcome change from the vanilla cakes commonly served.
Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting: Red velvet cake was once a regionally specific staple, but has quickly become the new classic as its vibrant red colouring offers a shock of something different, while the flavour is mild for those who are not comfortable taking risks.
White cake with chocolate mousse: Couples who want a bit of chocolate but do not want to be overwhelmed can select a white cake that is filled with light and rich chocolate mousse. It's the perfect blend of vanilla and chocolate for guests who enjoy both.
Variety tiers: Those who cannot settle on just one flavour can have different ones on each tier of their cakes. This gives guest some flavourful variety and enables them to pick their favourite flavor combination.
