Although it has been renewed in forms, flavours, colours and styles, the cake continues to be the protagonist of the wedding banquet, safeguarding a tradition that alludes to abundance and fertility. The nuptial rite is full of symbols and customs that have been pierced through the centuries, such as the wedding rings, the bridal bouquet, the white wedding dress and the bridal cake as a finishing touch to the statement of votes.

And although the traditions are renewed and many remain on the way, the truth is that the wedding cake cannot be missing in any celebration. Where does this sweet style come from? We clarify all your doubts in this blog.

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The beginnings

Just as gold rings find their origin in the Egyptian world, it is said that the bridal cake was born in Ancient Rome. According to the beliefs of that time, the bridegroom had to eat during the ceremony half of a mass of wheat with salt (similar to a big bread) and to break the remaining half on the head of his wife. This act represented the breaking of the virginity of the bride, as well as the leadership of the new husband over her.

The guests, meanwhile, had to collect the crumbs that fell and eat them as a symbol of fertility, prosperity and long life to the wedding.

However, the increase in the volume of this mass caused this practice to vanish, evolving later to a dish that was very popular in the seventeenth century weddings. In fact, it was known as “bridal cake” and consisted of a piece of minced meat, often lamb, decorated with sweet bread crumbs.

Thus, the tradition was maintained until the end of the century, when the wedding cake began to be conceived as we know it to this day.

The tower trend

It was in Great Britain that the fashion of riding small cakes, carried by the guests, was imposed with the idea of ​​making a tower as high as possible and decorating it with a layer of icing sugar. First they were made of flour, water and salt, but with time other ingredients like nuts were added. The higher the cake, the better augury. In addition, in England it was believed that if the couple managed to kiss on these cake towers without falling, they would have good luck all their lives in love.

Because of its impractical and unstable logic, yes, the idea was abandoned years later and replaced by making a unique and huge cake.

Originally, the wedding cakes were white as a symbol of purity, but also of material abundance, since only the richest families had access to buy refined sugar for their confection.

However, it was not long before the wedding cake managed to spread beyond the elite. In their first versions, they consisted of several floors based on sponge cake, stealing all the attention between the wedding decorations arranged for the wedding feast.

Traditions

Many beliefs have been woven around the cake since its inception, being one of the oldest, to hide a crystal ring inside. According to this, the guest who found him was assured a year of happiness, while if the lucky one was a woman, it meant that she was the next to marry. It is said that from there he derived years later the ritual of the charms, in which the unmarried women pulled a ribbon in search of the precious ring.

But although the traditions date back many years, there are still some that are still valid today. Among them, that the bride and groom must cut the cake together, ideally with a sword, representing the first task they perform together as husband and wife.

At the time of the first cut, the husband places his hand on his wife’s hand so that the two of them take out the first slice. Then, both give each other a piece to try and then prepare to share it with the rest of the guests. The latter, as a sign of abundance, with the variation of giving each guest a piece to take home.

Grooms figures

And another custom that does not go out of fashion, but on the contrary, is renewed, is to incorporate the figures of the couple on top of the cake. What is the trend today? Personalise them to the fullest, in addition to choosing the most original designs, as also happens with the decoration of the wedding glasses and the same stationery.

From there, perhaps, that some boyfriends get scared when they “kidnap” their dolls, which is another of the traditions that has managed to survive, albeit timidly, over the years. This consists of a guest, usually a relative or close friend, secretly stealing the bride and groom without being discovered. And the idea is that, once the first anniversary of their wedding, they return the dolls with an invitation to dinner or a special gift.

Now, if curious customs, there is another that arose in the United States and that dictates that the couple must keep a piece of the last floor of the cake in the refrigerator until a year since they exchanged their silver rings. Then, they must thaw it and eat it between them in an omen of a life full of happiness; although it is necessary to recognise that for the dubious state in which that piece can be left, it is not a tradition with many followers.

The truth is that there are many traditions associated with the wedding cake, as well as new versions of it that nowadays never cease to amaze. From cakes with succulent flowers that combine with the bridal hairstyle, to modern canvas-like creations in which it is even possible to write beautiful love phrases. The important thing is that, beyond the style, the cake follows the great guest to the celebration.

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