Stunning wedding cakes

By Ed Dychauco

(1st of 3 series) THE Chinese Lunar Year of the Dog is said to be a marrying year. Hence, a lot of couples are getting married this year. Big or small, lavish or simple, traditional or out of this world wedding, wedding cakes is and will always be the highlight of every wedding reception. At home, in a restaurant, hotel, by the sea, on top of a hill, wherever and whatever your venue is, your wedding cake will be the center of attraction be it a June, Valentine, Summer and Christmas bride. Whatever time of the year, the wedding cake will always play a major role in the banquet!

As compared before, nowadays couples have a lot of choices. Be it in color scheme and motifs, shapes, sizes or themes. It can be purely for decorative purposes (by using styrofoam as cake base) and be kept for a period of time!) or it can be all cakes. Some are practical and opt for just one layer of cake. Some would have the "Mother" cake made of styrofoam with just the "satellites" (small cakes) as the real ones. I personally know of a few cake-makers that rents out their cakes! That would be the most practical way of saving!

Traditions Cakes were sliced and given to guests to take home in small boxes long time ago, but this practice has long been gone. There was a time when the cakes were just given to relatives to bring home instead of serving them. Lately, I've seen more cakes being sliced and served in weddings in lieu of having more desserts on the menu, which I should say is more commendable. If this is so, then make sure the wedding cake is a bit bigger because you need a bigger slice for your guests. Besides, sharing your cakes means sharing your blessings. The traditional slicing of the cake is done after the meal, but I noticed that guests tend to leave after the meal (which is a real shame!) or right after they received the couple's token or give-away. So, to prevent the invited guests from missing the wedding reception's activities and surprises, upon the grand entrance of the newly weds, they go directly to the slicing of the cake and then followed by the toasting of the champagne.

Sumptuous meals are then served. So, what does the couple need to do in choosing a cake? There are several things to consider--size and height, design, theme, color motif, flavors, fillings, number of guests, budget, etc. What about the type of icing? Are we talking the fondant? Fondant look? Traditional Boiled Icing? Chocolate icing? Butter cream? Whipped Cream? And we don't just stop there. Usually, a seasoned professional cake maker and artist would also consider the bride and groom's personalities. Because the wedding cake must personify these two people in love!

Size How should the cake be? When we talk of size and height, we are talking of the diameter of the cakes, and of course, the length (from the table going up). A two-feet three-tiered cake is good for a small gathering while a four-feet high cake would look better in a bigger venue. Usage of pillars and cake stands can increase the height and make the cake look majestic. Styrofoams are also used to add height. However, you should also remember that a considerable amount is also spent in it. So don't predispose that fake cakes can be cheaper! Consider also the design and decorations used in the making of the cake.

Shape What about the cake's shape? Some prefer round cakes, some like it oblong while others like it in squares or rectangular shapes. Heart shape is another favorite. Don't forget that almost all shapes can now be made depending on the preference of the couples (and sometimes the parents, too!). Thickness What about the thickness of the cakes? Cakes are usually three inches but recently, there are cakes that are as thick as 1ft. These sizes would be the best choice if the venues are really huge! But I should say that 4-6 inches would be very acceptable. Some would add a layer of styrofoam to add height.

Color motif and theme Color motif would depend on the couple's preference although most often they would likely follow what's the trend at that time. One color motif was the fad before. Now, using 2-5 colors is not unusual and breaks the monotony. Some couples have their own color preferences and it's not surprising to see them using a multi-colored motif, like that of a Moroccan theme. Theme would normally follow the color motif, although not necessarily. The more favored themes would include Tropical, Hawaiian, Fantasy, Filipiniana, Oriental, garden, Baroque and many more. A unique theme would probably entail more work, so be prepared for a higher fee.

Having the venue transformed into the particular design would be most welcome to achieve a common goal, though quite expensive. Lately, I've seen a venue being transformed with the use of lights instead of flowers. They maybe quite expensive, but who cares? It's your special day! Cake flavors Chiffon cakes come in a variety of flavors and are the most preferred cake maybe because they are affordable and well loved by us. Butter and chocolate would come next, though a bit expensive. For the Fondant cake lovers, the cake of choice is butter pound, though other flavors are possible. Then we have the very trendy apple-walnut cake, carrot cakes of different variations, banana-nut cake, etc. The choices are endless. However, a well-seasoned fruitcake tops them, all! Some even have different flavors. Ask your cake maker about it. Some may charge extra for the added work.

All of the above cakes can use any type of icing but the heavier fruity and nutty cakes would normally taste and look better with fondant or sugar paste. Chiffon, butter and chocolate type of cakes needs bigger slices for guests, but fondant type cakes normally served in small pieces. In the United States, pound cakes are traditionally served "a la mode" with a scoop of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with nuts. Chocolate moist cakes are a hit with chocolate lovers. They are filled with a luscious and sinfully rich coffee caramel cream. Again, a smaller slice would be enough. Taken with a hot cup of brewed coffee would be heavenly!

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