Gone are the days of serving simple, white-frosted, tiered wedding cakes after trading vows. Today’s couples have countless options to ensure their dessert course is every bit as stylish as the reception itself. “We can literally do anything,” says Lisa Rochelle, owner of Sweet Grace Cake Designs in Haworth. “It’s just a matter of what your budget allows.”
Some of her most recent feats include a ski lift cake, Shakespeare’s Globe theater in London and a replica of Cinderella’s castle (right). “The cake is an important part of the wedding,” says Rochelle. “I always ask couples, ‘Does it match the venue or the bride’s dress or the color combination for the wedding? Does it match the general theme?'”
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After all, the cake is more significant than a simple dessert that overzealous brides and grooms may end up cramming into each other’s mouths for a funny photo. “The wedding cake is part of the décor at your reception,” says Rochelle, who has designed cakes for Vanessa Williams and Ice-T. “Not only should it taste delicious, but it should look beautiful, too.”
And in 2016, the options for adorning your cake are seemingly endless. Here are four of the cake designer’s favorite trends for 2016 — and the top flavor of the year (because no matter how pretty the cake is, you still have to enjoy eating it!).
Ruffles
“There are a lot of wedding dresses with ruffles, so ruffles are very popular. They can be big rosettes or they can just be delicate and pretty. There are probably about twenty different ways I can do ruffles on a cake.”
Sugar Flowers
“Sometimes a bride can’t get a flower from the florist because it’s out of season, but we can do it on the cake because I can make anything out of sugar!”
Pink Champagne Cake
“This is the number one flavor for weddings. We actually add real pink champagne to the cake, which gives it a slightly fruity flavor. It’s very celebratory and probably something your guests haven’t tasted before.”
Hand-Painted Designs
“Hand-painting is very popular in this coming year. We just did a six-tier cake with hand-painted birds and vines and leaves on it.”
White-On-White Texture
“Everything is shades of white or all white. You can combine a tier with ruffles or sugar flowers or lace but it’s all in the white family. It’s not about color, just the texture of the tiers.”
Hero (Top) Feature Image: ©yakimenkoanton/ Dollar Photo Club
Additional images courtesy Sweet Grace Cakes
