Wedding cake is not only a sweet treat during the wedding day, but it has also very long tradition with its hidden secrets, proverbs and meaning. Nowadays the wedding cake is a showpiece next to the bride. When most people go to the wedding, they want to see the bride in her beautiful gown and they want to see and taste the cake.
As mentioned, the wedding cake has a very long history. Cakes were part of weddings already hundred years ago when our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers used very simple little cakes during their wedding ceremonies. Such cake usually had only one tier together with simple topping. Later in twenties there were bigger cakes with more tiers and various fillings. The figures of bride and groom gained on popularity in second half of twentieth century when wedding cake also became bigger, more expensive and more opulent. Cakes are still very important part of the wedding ceremony even today. Many brides and grooms prefer so called “naked” cakes without topping, which is a very popular alternative especially for Boho wedding themed wedding. In case of romantic wedding, couples go for cakes with more tiers and more décor.
How to choose a perfect cake for your wedding
Always make an appointment with the bakery. You may want to request some samples when you set up an appointment. The taste, smell, texture and practicality are as important as it outside appearance. You should also think about your whole wedding day. Is your wedding to take place outside? What is the colour and theme of your wedding? How many guests will attend? How far should the baker bring the cake and is it part of the cake fee? These are all very important points to decide which cake to go for. Last but not least, very important part of the decision is also budget since wedding cake can create a big dent. Every couple or wedding planner should count at least with half a slice per person (or 150g). More guests will eat no more than that, some will not eat at all, but the tradition says, that each guest should eat at least a little bit of cake, otherwise they would bring a bad fortune to the newlyweds couple.
Traditions in the Czech Republic
Tradition says, that bride and groom should cut the cake together as it is one of the first activities they do as a married couple. They should also eat the first slice together (same applies to the soup), the second slices belong to the mothers of bride and groom and the other slices to the fathers. Only then the rest of slices can be handed over to guests. Another proverb says, that the one who touches the knife first will be the chef of the newly cretated household. You should also always have on your mind all wedding guests. Today there are lot of people who have dietary restrictions or food allergies. To avoid any misunderstanding or unpleasant / danger situation, please always check with your guests their dietary restrictions prior the wedding day and have ready an option for them.
The most typical combinations for wedding cakes in Czechia are following:
- Chocolate body + Mascarpone cream with dark chocolate + cherries + fondant
- Light body + pudding + strawberries + fondant
- Light body + Raspberry mascarpone cream + fondant
- Red Velvet + Vanilla mascarpone + fondant
- Ala Tiramisu: Light body dripped with rum and coffee + Mascarpone cream + fondant
