The cake is one of the key elements of any wedding and brides often spend north of $5000 on that work of edible art. It’s just as important as the bride’s wedding dress and the venue. Did you know that last year the average couple spent $546 on their wedding cake! Here are a few traditions and facts you might find interesting.

1. Where do wedding cakes originate?

From the Romans. Back then they were barley bread like cakes and were a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Outrageously at the end of the wedding ceremony these ‘wedding cakes’ were thrown by the groom at the bride or broken over her head. This was done to ensure good fortune and a happy marriage. Guests would then scramble about picking up any crumbs and take them home hoping they had acquired some of that good luck. Thankfully over the years things have become a little more sophisticated and there is no throwing of cakes just a dignified cut.

2. Why do we have tiered wedding cakes?

Each tier of a wedding cake has its own significance according to tradition but like all traditions nowadays these can be modified to suit yourselves. One tradition states that the top tier symbolizes the couple, the bottom tier symbolizes the couple’s family and the middle tier symbolizes the children they hope to welcome to the family. Some couples have a fruit cake filling so that they can keep the middle tier for the christening or naming ceremony of their first child.

3. What does the cutting of the wedding cake symbolize?

This again is a traditional ritual at a wedding and the first the bride and groom will perform together as a married couple. The groom places his hand on the hand of the bride when cutting the cake to symbolize his support for her and her promise to take care of him and their family. Tradition dictates that couples should cut from the bottom tier to symbolize the longevity and continuing of their relationship. Last, but definitely not least, the custom according to which the bride and groom feed each other from the cake symbolizes their commitment to take care of one another.

4. Wedding cakes used to be created in pairs.

This is an important one. Wedding cakes used to be created in pairs. That’s right, TWO wedding cakes. We’ve recently seen a resurgence in groom’s cakes, but this is not a new idea. The Victorians would have a single pretty and light wedding cake, with an additional dark cake, laced with rich flavors such as chocolate. These flavors were seen as masculine; hence it became the ‘groom’s cake’. Apart from the sexist division of flavors, this tradition is actually cool- it means you get to order two wedding cakes!!

5. Do you have to have a wedding cake?

Absolutely not. As with all things wedding. This is your day so do it your way. But it’s worth bearing in mind that when cakes are done well they really are a work of art and definitely create a bit of a wow factor but if it’s not your thing don’t spend your precious money on it. Also after a delicious three course meal are your guests going to have any room for cake? Consider this are you really only having the cake just to cut it?