Let them eat cake! The wedding cake is the centrepiece of every celebration and can be an extraordinarily elaborate affair. Rising in three-tier magnificence, we've all seen the white cake with rock-hard royal icing, too perfect to sink a knife into, with the tiny figures of bride and groom perched on the top.

 

Modern wedding cakes diversify widely from that prototype. You don't have to choose a traditional fruit or sponge cake - go for a mountain of chocolate profiteroles if you prefer, or order 200 cupcakes iced in the same colours as the bridesmaids' dresses. But many brides will still go for a large cake, often in three tiers, that can be cut up and distributed to all the guests. A modern twist is to have each tier a different flavour - such as lemon sponge, carrot cake, and chocolate. And you don't need to cover it with that rigid white icing, either!

 

                                                                            

                      Tiffany Bridal Shoes                                Diamante stripe ring cushion                               Tallulah bridesmaid dress

 

If you have a particular style of cake in mind, visit the many websites that specialise in wedding cake creation and see if they match up. Or take a picture you've seen from a wedding mag along to your chosen confectioner. If you want a cake designer to create something special for you, do book in plenty of time - they get busy! And expect to pay a hefty price for a one-off designer cake. But if you're worried about shattering an elaborate piece of cake art once you cut it, perhaps it's best to give each guest a mini sponge, chocolate pudding or cupcake instead.    

 

You'll need to match your cake to the theme of your wedding - if it's a flowery summer occasion, why not crown your cake with roses? And stay seasonal - a gorgeous strawberry and cream sponge will be delicious in July, blackberry and apple tartlets will enhance an autumn wedding, and if it's a winter fixture, why not go for a really rich fruit cake or individual Christmas puddings with cream? The choice is yours…

 

                                                           

                    Ballgown bridesmaid bags                               Pageboy small boy shoe                                  Lace mitt bridal glove

 

For more hints and tips that will help take some of the stress out of organising your big day, check out our wedding information pages. They're an indispensable source of wedding planning tips and style advice for any bride to be and we are adding to them all the time so make sure you visit us again.

 

And don't forget to browse Henry Kaye's complete range of of stunning wedding shoes (for brides, bridesmaids and pageboys alike), stylish pageboy outfits, gorgeous bridesmaid dresses, and exquisite wedding bags and beautiful wedding accessories.