The multi-tiered wedding cake has come a long way since its inception under the reign of King Charles II, when a French chef created the one we know today. Then reserved for the grandeur of royal events, it has now become a centrepiece staple to worldwide wedding celebrations – and an industry worth millions.
The symbolic stacking of bread, cakes and pies hung around for centuries, with baked goods historically being broken over the bride’s head to ensure prosperity, fertility and a blessed marriage.
Fortunately, cakes and breads are no longer broken over anybody’s head. In fact, the traditional white wedding cake, which went mainstream following the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 when sugar became cheaper, no longer reigns supreme when it comes to wedding table-top glory.
From platters of biscotti and brownies to cheese-wheels and pork pie rotundas – brides and grooms are increasingly opting for wedding cake alternatives. Here’s a selection of the best ideas below.
