Your Wedding Dream Cake: A Symbol of Love caring and sharing
Baker’s Magic
As a bakery owner, I have been rewarded and delighted with the challenging task of baking up great magic in wedding cake dreams. More than one bride has shed a tear at the prospect of designing and treating her guests to the sweet gift of cake at the wedding celebration.
I remember one young woman who wanted to honor her grandmother by baking a replica of the cake she had at her wedding sixty-seven years prior. This cake was seven tiers high, touting rich, classic white and chocolate layers with raspberry filling throughout. As the 50’s style figurine of the miniature bride and groom were kissing way up top, the handmade, sugar roses cascaded across the elegant structure. Fulfilling the bride’s wishes, the masterpiece was fabulous and admired by one and all. The tears in her grandmother’s eyes conveyed such love and honor from one generation to another.
As a woman you have waited all your life for this moment –your wedding day. Someone said, “Yes” and that someone was you! Now preparations must begin as details flood in.
You will need to ask for help to start planning the wedding of your dreams. You’ll no doubt want to carefully craft every detail of your love story for the whole world to see. You will share your love in your colors, flowers, dress, bridal party attire, theme, venue, music, food, and of course your cake! It matters how you share what’s in your heart, and cake says you care. Listen! This is not just dessert on a Tuesday night. It’s your wedding cake. And your baker can take the reins to create a symbol of love, caring, and sharing –your wedding dream cake.
Interesting Historical Facts
Not just an edible showstopper, the wedding cake is rich in history.
Having been part of the ceremony since ancient Greece, the groom would traditionally pull apart bread over the bride’s head to symbolize her submission, the end of her purity, and to represent good luck and fertility. They would then eat and share the breadcrumbs with the wedding guests.
As time moved on, newer traditions were established where the cake, layered high, was presented as a challenge for the couple to kiss over. If this feat was accomplished without toppling the cake, it denoted a successful marriage with many children.
At one point in history, the English decided that the number of children the couple would bear could be increased by throwing cake at the bride. Scientifically speaking, I’m not sure that’s exactly how it works!
Of course, white cake and icing remain a symbol of the bride’s purity. (galafacility.com)
No matter how trends change, it would seem the wedding cake remains a tradition rooted in symbolism which is always meant to benefit the newlyweds. As everyone partakes in the sweetness of love baked into every slice, the magic can be felt around the table. Weddings bless us all with the hope of a long and happy life together.
Your Baker Can Create Your Unique Love Story in Cake
Wedding cakery has evolved through the years and most of the old wive’s tales have been left to nostalgia! Your cake is a reflection of your unique love and your baker can tell of romance in every slice. Cakes can be cascaded with real or handcrafted sugar flowers, naked and natural, colored with fondant and decorated to represent the bride and groom’s interests, and can be as simple as stacked doughnuts, brownies, waffles, or hazelnut pavlova with fresh fruit.
Your cake should tell of your lives together: the moment you met and you knew he was the one, when and where he popped the question, particular hobbies you do together, your favorite travel destination, where you plan to spend your honeymoon, favorite sports teams, pets, or collections you share. Is it poetry, cars, or horses that brought you together? Are you cultivating a Western romance or are you students studying at your favorite coffee shop? Be sure to include all the details so your baker can have a well-rounded plan to make this symbol of your love come to light.
Do you have a family tradition you would like to honor in the flavor choices? Perhaps you’re of French heritage and desire a croquembouche. Australians favor traditional, rich fruitcakes sometimes filled with almond paste. In Greece, the traditional flavor combination includes honey, sesame seed, and quince. (Castella, Krystina, (2012-01-03) A World of Cake: 150 Recipes for Sweet Traditions From Cultures Near and Far) What is your family's heritage and would you like to honor them in your flavor selection? Interview family members to include them in your wedding planning.
Will your groom’s cake be dark, liquor-soaked, and shaped like a car or an armadillo? These are fun touches representing the groom's desires which your baker can also take care of. Check their menu and see what is offered, or what custom ordering is allowed.
The Heart Behind the Bakery
Every bakery has a story and our featured baker is no exception. Claire’s Sweets is located in the heart of Paris, Montana. Claire Johnson, owner and head decorator, started her bakery in 2013. She discovered her creative passion when she entered a baking competition with a rainbow cake. Designed from a recipe she found on Pinterest, her colorful creation won the contest! Unemployed and not having a lot of resources to spare, this mother’s loving hands created her son’s birthday cake. Then and there a bakery was born!
“Sugar artistry has given me such a creative outlet, the opportunity to meet people and to make their event special,” Claire said in a recent interview.
Chef Claire, the chief baker and decorator, arranges flowers, makes deliveries, answers the phone, guides the client’s cake tastings, does dishes, and also has a husband and three children! Her zest for life shines through in every cake she bakes and is displayed in the joy on the faces of her customers. Her best advice for brides-to-be is to put in your custom cake order well in advance of your wedding date. Good bakers have full calendars.
Claire’s artisanal cake studio will handcraft your one-of-a-kind cake that announces to your guests the joy and excitement of your special day. In her experienced hands, she will bake your love story into your wedding dream cake and take this worry right off of your plate. Tastefully crafted with the finest, organic ingredients, the bakery offers a delectable selection of cake flavors from classic white, to old-fashioned carrot. There are a dozen unique fillings to choose from, and your choice of three delectable icings. The website also suggests popular pairings of cake and fillings and an extensive questionnaire on the contact page to help you on your way.
Claire will bake 3-4 small tasting cakes for you to sample to make your big decision. This tasty exercise will only pique your desire for that fast-approaching day of wedded bliss. She can direct you in the planning stages with a peek into her portfolio of the many wedding cakes she has created. I’m sure she’ll be eager to share the love stories and celebrations she has been privileged to be part of. Her website will also be a good resource to address any other concerns you may have.
Together you will work out a detailed plan for the cake and table. Be sure to sign the contract and fulfill your financial obligations. This is one less detail to concern yourself with come the big day. Remember to enjoy the process and trust your baker. Her dream is to bring your dream to life!
Sharing the Sweetness of Love
Julia Childs says, “A party without a cake is just a meeting!” And your wedding is no exception! Because your cake table is the hub and height of activity as you share your tasty gift of sweetness with your guests, plan to embellish that table with all the wedding finery. Rent linens and a cake stand that reflect your theme and showcase your cake. Have small plates, napkins, and forks readily available as the cake is cut, so guests can enjoy milling with one another while eating this superb representation of your beautiful story. Are coffee and tea nearby? Many people love a spot of tea with their sweets.
No doubt you will be so excited to unveil your cake and serve it to your guests. Did you know tradition states: that while holding the knife together to cut the cake, the groom places his hand over the bride’s to show his love and protection over her?
Cutting pieces of cake from the lower tier symbolizes the relationship’s longevity as the majority of the cake above is still available to serve.
The tradition of gently feeding each other cake refers to the promise of always looking out and caring for one another.
Having the guests eat the same cake is believed to bring good luck to the marriage.
Lastly, it is not uncommon for the couple to take and freeze the top tier to eat on their first wedding anniversary for the sake of prosperity.
As strange as it may seem, we can bake up love stories in a wedding cake. As we eat together, we partake in a symbol and slice of hope that draws us all into one story of togetherness.
A good baker can create a truly special experience for the bride and her guests that reflects the couple’s love and devotion. A story that includes us all …and who doesn’t need a little sweet magic in their life.
Contact your local bakery and let’s get this party started!
