The wedding cake

It is eagerly awaited by all the guests, who, even after a hearty dinner, will find room to enjoy a slice. The wedding cake is the star of the meal, the highlight of the show that punctuates the first part of the evening before giving way to the second.

© Text : Valentine Livine - Photos : Duchess Bakery et Couleur Cacao

There are usually several desserts at a wedding: the main cake, accompanied by other cakes or petits fours. © Duchesse Baker’y

Pastry chefs can innovate by adding unexpected touches, such as exclusive flavors, that are not part of their usual menu. © Couleur Cacao

The criteria for a successful wedding cake

“It's up to the bride and groom!” At Couleur Cacao and Duchess Bakery, the answers are similar, emphasizing the importance of the couple's tastes. Duchess Bakery, moreover, does not hesitate to recommend them to a colleague who will be able to make them the cake of their dreams. It is important that the cake (or cakes) is adapted to the number of guests, the wedding theme or the color of the decoration, the taste preferences of the bride and groom and, finally, that the exposure time until cutting is planned in advance.

One cake or several desserts?

There are usually several desserts at a wedding: the main cake, accompanied by other cakes or petits fours. Some professionals work in advance, others the day before the wedding. Thus, to design all the sweet pieces, some will prefer to spread the workload over 4 to 5 days, 2 to 3 days in a hurry, while others will bake all night, ensuring delivery in the morning.

Sound advice

The aim of pastry chefs is to create a beautiful, tasty and harmonious piece. Not all colors mix in pastry, so professionals will often advise you on this and on assortments. The service is tailor-made for each wedding. The experience of the pastry chefs allows them to decide effectively what will be best suited to the location, the number of guests, the service schedule and the shapes of the compositions to be made. Let yourself be guided with confidence, but make your choices known if you have very specific desires!

Trends and extravagance

The cakes are designed according to the theme chosen by the bride and groom. The current trend is “bohemian chic”. The challenge is therefore to create original pieces despite a recurring trend. At Couleur Cacao, requests have been less conventional: a wedding on the theme of black, the rainbow, etc.

Some couples go for extravagance with daring orders, such as a wedding cake in the shape of a sailing canoe.

Figurines are still very much in vogue for decorating wedding cakes. © Couleur Cacao

Pastry chefs can innovate by adding small unexpected touches, such as lights on the cake, or exclusive flavors that are not part of their usual menu. Innovation also lies in the highly personalized creation of the wedding cakes according to the bride and groom.

Figurines on the cake?

Some couples are very attached to this and want to be represented on the cake or wedding cake. Today, many figurine designs are available, both classic and funny. There are shops that even specialize in making personalized figurines: skin color, hair, eyes, size, attitudes... The hand-painted porcelain ones are very durable and the couple can keep them as a souvenir.

The wedding figurines are said to have been created by a baker who wanted to give his daughter a unique and original cake. He first made one out of pastry, but the lack of refinement of the result led him to choose porcelain figurines. As the cake impressed the guests, other newlyweds ordered figurines from him afterwards.

A custom has since emerged: the passing on of a family figurine (grandparents, godmothers, etc.), symbolizing stability, longevity, love and the passing on of heritage between families.

What budget should be allowed for?

For some, the minimum budget starts at 10,000 CFP francs. Others put the cost of a presentation on a plinth at 950 CFP francs per person. It is therefore difficult to estimate the budget: the number of guests, the venue, the number of pieces ordered and their size will determine the final price to be invested in wedding desserts.

The origins of the wedding cake

The tradition of the wedding cake originated in Roman times. To ensure a happy marriage, the bride would cut the cake with her husband's sword. He would place his hands on hers, symbolizing the protection and union of the families.

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The place of the wedding cake

The wedding cake takes center stage on the buffet, but also during the ceremony. Eagerly awaited, the cutting of the cake by the bride and groom is a highlight, immortalized by the crackling of camera flashes.