When it comes to choosing your wedding block, the ideas are endless. However, a traditional hymeneals cake will forever exist a timeless option, and at that place is plenty of history backside the tradition.

Traditional wedding cake made of several white iced tiers

We've got everything you need to know well-nigh traditional wedding cakes here, including some examples of our absolute favourites and a recipe from a blistering expert in case yous fancy making your own wedding cake.

What is a traditional wedding block?

A traditional wedding cake is typically a fruit block, covered in marzipan and icing, and presented in tiers. Nowadays, couples can get more experimental with their wedding cakes and opt for an alternative hymeneals cake, merely in that location is even so very much a place for the traditional hymeneals cake in weddings today.

Close up of a traditional white wedding cake

Traditional wedding cakes ordinarily take at least 3 tiers and characteristic a wedding ceremony block topper on the summit of the block. The cake is cut by the newlyweds and guests are unremarkably welcome to relish a slice with a cup of tea or coffee during the wedding day, or they can take a slice habitation in a nuptials block box.

What flavour is a wedding block traditionally?

A truly traditional wedding block is made from fruit block as this is known for its longevity. Nevertheless, more and more couples are opting for sponge as it's easier to have it fabricated in a diversity of nuptials cake flavours.

If you don't love fruit cake, but you lot do love tradition, why not consider afig wedding cake?

Some brides and grooms like to accept their smaller top tier however made from fruit block because they can keep information technology.

White tiered wedding cake displayed on a table

Why do wedding cakes traditionally accept iii tiers?

Anybody assembly traditional wedding ceremony cakes with that famous three-tiered shape, simply there is a real reason backside information technology! Information technology is thought that they are made that manner equally the big bottom tier is to be shared out at the wedding, the smaller middle tier is to share with those who couldn't brand it after the event and the top tier is saved for the couple.

Why is the top tier of a wedding cake saved?

Information technology used to be that the top tier of the wedding cake was saved for the christening of the couple's first child – hence it needing to be made from long-lasting fruit cake! Providing the hymeneals night went to programme, the meridian tier of the wedding ceremony cake would be brought out again inside a year.

Colourful tiered wedding cake

Values have changed a off-white scrap with time though, and now couples can save their elevation tier for a variety of reasons! Some couples similar to freeze information technology and enjoy it on their first hymeneals anniversary – information technology's a lovely way to marker a wedding ceremony anniversary milestone.

Others prefer to but save it to savour for breakfast the adjacent day or as a midnight snack on their wedding day!

The History of the Hymeneals Block

The traditional wedding ceremony cake is steeped in history! Information technology'due south believed that the first 'nuptials cakes' engagement back to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, where a block of barley or wheat was broken over the helpmate's head, in the belief it would bring the couple good fortune in their married life. Thankfully that wedding tradition has been lost in time!

In the 16th and 17th centuries, a 'bride'south pie' was traditionally served at weddings – only don't get too excited. According to a recipe by Robert May, which dates dorsum to 1685, the bride'south pie was filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels and cocks' combs. We'd rather have fruit cake, thanks.

Over time this evolved and the fruit cake, which was traditionally known equally the 'groom's cake' evolved to get the main event. The larger your cake, the better your social continuing. White icing also became more than pop – not only did it symbolise virginity and purity, much like the white wedding wearing apparel, information technology was also an indicator of money and social importance in the Victorian times.

White wedding cake with pink flowers

The white icing we know as imperial icing gained its name after Queen Victoria'south wedding block was iced in pure white icing.

If you don't like icing, you could always attempt anaked hymeneals cake.

There are a few theories behind why the traditional wedding cake had and so many tiers – in medieval times the cake would be stacked every bit high as possible, and if the couple managed to kiss over it, they were destined to have a successful union.

Information technology's likewise said that in the early 1700s a bakery wanted to create a truly special wedding ceremony cake and was inspired by the distinctive shape of St Helpmate'due south Church in London – leading to the tiered shape nosotros know and so well today.

St Bride's Church in Fleet Street

Epitome credit: Jim Linwood/Flickr.com

Our Favourite Traditional Fashion Hymeneals Cakes

This elegant six tiered wedding cake from Elizabeth's Cake Emporium is the perfect choice for couples who want a classic, timeless option.

Trio of traditional style wedding cakes by Belsize cakes

What's improve than one nuptials block? Three! How are we supposed to pick just one from this cute selection from Belsize Cakes? They are traditional in manner but still incorporate enough of personality!

Tall tiered wedding cake

This gorgeously simple wedding cake (photographed by Imogen Xiana Photography) from the Vanilla Pod Bakery would wait effortlessly chic at whatever wedding – whether it'southward winter or summer! Information technology'due south very traditional with its tiers and white icing, just the tall shape and simple floral impact elevate it.

Six tiered wedding cake with flowers

If you are a fan of a bit of colour, y'all'll fall in dear with the cute and intricate saccharide flowers that adorn this cake by Elizabeth'southward Block Emporium.

Blue wedding cake

Why not make your wedding block your something blue? That'due south a great – and delicious – manner to add together fifty-fifty more tradition to your wedding cake. We can't stop staring at this bluish beauty from Belsize Cakes.

Four tiered wedding cake

If you lot beloved the idea of going traditional, simply still want a rustic style wedding ceremony block, be inspired by this four tiered wonder from the Vanilla Pod Bakery – the buttercream cease keeps information technology from existence obviously. Photography by Oobaloos Photography.

Gold tiered wedding cake

A metallic wedding cake is a great way to add a slight twist to the traditional nuptials cake – this stunner is past the talented Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth'southward Cake Emporium.

Pink and grey tiered wedding cake

If you love the idea of a traditional wedding cake simply you still want information technology to have a modern feel, be inspired by this beautiful pinkish and grey wedding cake by Belsize Cakes. The marble effect is super on trend, but the tiered shape is archetype.

Fondant iced wedding cake

Fondant icing is a great way to give your wedding cake a traditional feel, as illustrated past this block by the Vanilla Pod Bakery. The subtle shimmer on the icing is simply irresistible! Photography by Marcus Rice Photography.

If you lot're yet looking for other options, have you considered having acheese wedding block?