A Gold Medal Wedding Cake

Mark Seaman, a baker from Chicago, Illinois in the United States has captured the top honor in an international wedding cake competition at the Oklahoma Sugar Arts Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The theme of the competition was “Hollywood Glamour” and Seaman’s entry paid homage to comedienne Lucille Ball. The six-tiered cake featured 500 individually crafted fondant feathers and 80 handmade orchid blossoms made from sugar gum paste. The cake took nearly 200 hours to make.

Seaman, 37, started out his career as a computer trainer for Dutch-based ABN bank, but he’d always loved baking, something he’d learned from his mother as a child. In 2002, he went back to school at The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, and also studied cake decorating at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating. He also did stints at the International Sugar Art Collection School of Confectionary Art and the French Pastry School before opening his own bakeries in Libertyville, IL and Chicago.

Seaman had earned the bronze and silver medals in earlier competitions, but this was his first gold medal.

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The Traditional Cutting of the Wedding Cake

The traditional cutting of the wedding cake is a beautiful moment in every wedding reception. This tradition can date back as far as The Roman Empire although it was a much different tradition than we know today. It is through the years that the traditional cutting of the wedding cake has changed and evolved into what we know today.

During medieval times, every guest brought a small cake to the wedding. The cakes were then stacked upon each other. If the bride and groom could kiss over the top of the stack of cakes, it was considered good luck. This was the very first recognized version of the wedding cake.

In earlier times, it was the sole responsibility of the bride to cut the wedding cake. She would serve the groom’s family and then the rest of her guests. This was meant to delineate the role change from serving her own family to serving that of her husband. Eventually, this tradition changed into what we know today as the traditional cutting of the wedding cake.

The wedding cake is a symbol in itself. In previous times, the wedding cake was frosted with white icing as a symbol of purity. Just as the bride wears a white wedding gown to symbolize her own purity, the white wedding cake acts in the same manner. It was once known as the “bride’s cake” and the groom had a separate cake. Some couples still opt to have a groom’s cake.

The traditional cutting of the wedding cake as we know it today has originated from all of these older traditions. The modern couple cuts the cake together. Technically, the bride cuts the cake with the help of the groom. Then, they feed the first piece to one another. This symbolizes their willingness to provide for each other throughout their marriage. Couples are also taking great liberty with their wedding cake colours and designs. There is no reason to stick solely to a white wedding cake.

Everyone looks forward to the traditional cutting of the wedding cake. It is a beautiful tradition that guests share with the happy couple. In addition, wedding cakes are often quite delicious and who doesn’t love a good cake!

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Why You Should Have a Unique Wedding Cake

You want your wedding to be the most special day of your life. You want a day that you will always remember fondly as well as a day that your guests will remember as well. People tend to commit visual images to memory. This is why we put so much time, effort, and money into planning a visually stunning wedding. This is also just one of the many reasons that you should have a unique wedding cake.

You should have a unique wedding cake so that it becomes a topic of conversation. Guests will want to know why you chose to have such a unique wedding cake and will be appreciative of something out of the ordinary. Wedding cakes can become generic. People expect to see a stunning cake, but it is generally a cake with white frosting and flowers or some other elegant yet simple decoration. Guests will be surprised to see you break away from this mold.

But how do you accomplish this? One of the best ways to create a unique wedding cake is to incorporate your wedding theme and colour scheme. Any bakery that is accomplished in wedding cakes should be able to accommodate special requests.

Another way to ensure that you have a unique wedding cake is to use different flavours and combinations of flavours that people are unaccustomed to. This may mean opting for a layer of carrot cake with cream cheese filling or simply a chocolate cake with mocha filling. Every tier of the wedding cake can be a different flavour, making the possibilities and flavour combinations that much more interesting.

The ultimate goal is to have a wedding cake that will be remembered for years to come. You want your guests to talk about your beautiful wedding and there is no better way than by tempting their taste buds and thrilling their visual senses. Consider all of these reasons and that is why you should have a unique wedding cake on your very special day.

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Tips On Wedding Cakes

Many brides agonise over the cake they plan to serve at their wedding receptions. Cakes are as individual as weddings themselves, so doing a little research and planning can help make your cake special.

The wedding cake is a focal point of a reception. The size of the reception will determine the amount of cake needed to feed all of your guests, so you’ll need to have a good idea of how many guests are on your list prior to finding a baker for your cake. Likewise, you’ll need to know whether you’ll want to save the top of your cake for your first anniversary. This will add expense to the cake, but it is traditional for couples to celebrate their first anniversary with a piece of their wedding cake.

Consult with your baker to determine the cakes that will work best with your reception venue. Your choices may be different for an outdoor reception in 36° heat than they will be for receptions held in air-conditioned rooms. Supply the baker with as much information as possible about your reception venue, since this will allow him or her to make good recommendations for your cake.

If you have your heart set on having a particular kind of cake, and your baker recommends against it, check with a few other bakers for a second opinion. Sometimes, bakers recommend against having a particular type of cake or frosting if they’re uncomfortable with working with that particular type of cake, frosting or combination. Another baker may be able to deliver your dream cake without hesitation. On the other hand, if your second- and third-opinions render the same verdict, consider their advice carefully.

Learn about your frosting options. Your baker will be able to fill you in on the details. Many wedding cakes are frosted with “rolled fondant” or “ready-to-roll” frosting. If you don’t want this type of frosting on your cake, consider something like a buttercream frosting. Be mindful of the temperature, and understand that rolled fondant withstands heat much better than other types of frosting do. If you go with something other than rolled fondant, your cake will need to be refrigerated until just prior to your reception.

Extremely hot temperatures are disastrous for cakes, regardless of how they’re frosted. Likewise, refrigeration can make sugar flowers droop or sag. On your wedding day, if temperatures will be problematic, consider cutting the cake immediately after you’ve arrived at the venue, and turning it over to the waitstaff for cutting and distribution. Some brides choose to serve a separate dessert and give out the wedding cake later. In high temperatures, consider using the wedding cake as the main dessert, and providing less temperature-sensitive goodies later in the evening.

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Finding the Perfect Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes have been a tradition for centuries, but they have become much more elaborate. It can be difficult to find just the right cake for the reception because there are so many options available to the bride and groom. While wedding planning is stressful, choosing a cake is one of the most fun parts of planning. This is because of all the tasting of different wedding cakes! The couple should savor the flavour and enjoy this aspect of their planning process!

The first thing to do when looking for wedding cakes is to find reputable bakeries that specialise in wedding cakes. It is a good idea to ask friends and family as well as look online. Most bakeries have websites with some of their most popular designs as well as the flavours they offer. Just like everything else in life, it is important to get more than one quote and in this case to taste more than one cake!

Most bakeries require that the bride and groom set up for an appointment to taste the wedding cakes. Each bakery will handle the tasting differently, but they will be very similar. The bakery will usually offer a sample of their white cake and chocolate cake. They may offer some of their more unusual flavours, but this shouldn’t be expected. The bakery will also offer samples of their different frostings and fillings. This is the time to try out all of the different variations. If the bride and groom are determined to try a specific flavour or flavour combination then they should consider purchasing a small cake with that flavour. This will help them choose between all of the possible flavour combinations of wedding cakes while introducing them to several bakeries.

Once the flavours have been decided, it is a good idea to choose the size since this has an impact on many designs of wedding cakes. This is usually based on the number of people that will be attending the wedding. However, the bride and groom can specify any size that they like. The best part about multiple tiered wedding cakes is the ability to choose different flavours for each tier.

Each bakery will offer books of their best wedding cake designs. The bride and groom likely have some concept already in mind, especially if they are having a themes wedding. Wedding cakes are an excellent way to incorporate a theme. If there is no specific theme, then the cake should fit in with the overall atmosphere of the wedding. If the couple has something in mind that is different than the designs the bakery already has, then they should mention this. Most reputable bakeries have the ability to make the designs into reality.

Wedding cakes are a true thing of beauty and being able to create these wedding cakes is a true talent. The bride and groom should consider all of these things when choosing the right bakery and the perfect wedding cake!

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The Definitive Guide to Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes are a tradition that has been around for centuries. Most couples still practice this tradition. Wedding cakes are a thing of beauty, intricately designed and delicious! Choosing just the right cake is one of the most fun decisions that the bride and groom will make during the wedding planning process. There are so many options to choose from and hopefully this guide will help alleviate some of questions the couple might have.

Most couples choose some sort of theme for their wedding and use this theme on their wedding invitations, decorations and even their cake. This may be an actual theme such as a beach theme or it may be as simple as a specific colour scheme. The important thing to consider when choosing from potential wedding cakes is the overall atmosphere that the bride and groom are going for. If the event will be simple, elegant, casual, small, large, or something else entirely, wedding cakes will need to adhere to the atmosphere the bride and groom have set.

The bride and groom must first find a bakery that specialises in wedding cakes. It is a great idea to poll friends and family as well as anyone who has recently been married. You could even ask the company who did your wedding invitations as they may be able to refer you to someone. It is also a good idea to visit more than one bakery before making any decisions. Each bakery will offer different designs and flavours. One of the bakeries will likely stand out among the rest and offer exactly what the couple wants.

It is necessary to make an appointment with the bakery to have a tasting of their wedding cakes. At this appointment, someone will go over all of the specifics with the couple. They will also offer samples of some of their most popular flavours. This will include cake, filling, and frosting. The bride and groom will not be able to try every single flavour or flavour combination. If they want something different, they could try telling the baker beforehand or order a small cake with the flavours they desire. Tasting wedding cakes is the best part of choosing the right bakery!

The size of wedding cakes is also an important consideration. Some designs require a specific size cake in order to make the design work. The number of guests it is meant to feed generally decides the size of wedding cakes. The bride and groom will be shown pictures of sample designs that the bakery has previously created. The couple will likely find one that suits their needs. If they don’t, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the bakery to create a new design that will suit their needs. Once the bride and groom have chosen a design, they can designate different flavours for each tier if they so choose.

There are so many considerations when it comes to wedding cakes. There is size, flavour, design, and of course choosing the right bakery. It is fun to taste all of the different flavours and wedding cakes. The bride and groom should enjoy this aspect of their wedding planning! Wedding cakes are a thing of beauty and the people who design them are true artists. The couple should have exactly what they dream of on their wedding day and their wedding cake is no exception!

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Wedding Cakes on a Budget

Wedding cakes are one of the traditions that everyone looks forward to at a wedding. Will the bride and groom feed each other nice and sweet or smear the cake on the other’s face? Regardless of how the bride and groom choose to handle this situation, one thing is always standard and that is the beauty of all wedding cakes. In this day and age, weddings are becoming more and more expensive and wedding cakes are no exception. It is possible to serve a beautiful cake while maintaining a budget.

The majority of wedding cakes are priced based on a per person amount. This is obviously subjective based on what the baker feels is a standard size for a single slice of cake. The baker will ask approximately how many guests the cake will be feeding. This will determine the size of the cake and the number of tiers. Regardless of what the baker suggests, the bride and groom always have the final decision on the size of the cake.

One of the best ways to save money on wedding cakes is to have a single, small cake for show and several sheet cakes to cut for the guests. The wedding cake can be any size and any number of tiers, but may still not be enough to feed all guests. Many couples choose this option, even when budget is not a factor. The bride and groom will have a beautiful cake in order to cut and feed each other. The guests will not notice or care that they are not eating the same cake as the bride and groom. This is one of the easiest ways to save on wedding cakes.

Another option for couples on a budget is to have cupcakes rather than traditional wedding cakes. This is not only a great way to save money, but it is also a very popular option and can be done beautifully. It is unique and different and can enhance the beauty of the wedding. The cupcakes are generally arranged in tiers similar to wedding cakes. Each guest will receive an individual cupcake. This saves on having to pay the fee for cake cutting as well as paying for a large, expensive cake. This is perfect for the bride and groom on a budget.

When the time comes to choose from all of the available wedding cakes, the bride and groom need to stick to their budget. This means passing up some of the fancier options and going for simplicity. This can be done and the bakery will work with the couple and within the budget as long as the budget is reasonable. The cake will still be professional and beautiful but may not be extravagant.

Wedding cakes are not only delicious, but it is fun to choose the flavors and style. The bride and groom on a budget should make sure to try out several bakeries and get quotes. This is also a great way to taste yummy wedding cakes from different bakers. Each bakery will also offer designs that are unique to their bakery. These suggestions should make it much easier for the couple to choose from their options of wedding cakes while maintaining their budget.

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Give Wedding Cake Boxes so Guests Can Take a Treat Home

Wedding cake boxes are becoming very popular. Wedding guests are often urged to take home some of the leftover wedding cake, since there is always leftover wedding cake. This can be a bit problematic without wedding cake boxes, so it is a good idea to plan ahead. Planning ahead allows the bride and groom the chance to choose wedding cake boxes that are attractive.

There are several different options when it comes to wedding cake boxes. This is so that the bride and groom have the ability to choose wedding cake boxes that match with their chosen theme or colour scheme. There are even some options that will match with a theme, such as Asian takeout boxes for an Asian themed wedding. These wedding cake boxes are also available in a variety of sizes to accommodate any needs the couple may have. These boxes are designed to fit the occasion perfectly!

There are some extras that can be added to the wedding cake boxes in order to make them even more beautiful and personal. These can be personalised. The couple can consider having their names and wedding date added to the wedding cake boxes. In addition, the bride and groom should use ribbon to tie off the boxes. Most likely, this will require the staff at the reception venue to prepare the wedding cake boxes for the guests to take home. Make sure that the ribbon size is proportionate to the size of the box. Also consider whether plain ribbon or personalised ribbon would be best.

Wedding cake boxes are not a necessity when it comes to wedding planning, but they exude an elegance that is above and beyond standard wedding extras. These wedding cake boxes are a wonderful addition and enhance the overall quality of any wedding!

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History of the Wedding Cake

Almost nobody can imagine their wedding day without a special wedding cake to make the celebration complete. The tradition of having a cake at weddings goes back hundreds of years to medieval Europe, and likely even beyond.

Wedding cakes have probably been around since ancient Greece and Rome flourished. In ancient Greece, sesame and honey cakes may have been served to (or even thrown at) the new couple to promote fertility. In Rome, bread was shared by the bride and groom and then broken over the bride’s head, also in the hopes of ensuring fertility and good fortune. Guests would try to catch the crumbs as they fell to the ground, desiring to share in the couple’s good luck. This may have been the beginning of the modern tradition of giving a small slice of wedding cake to each guest in attendance.

In medieval times, the bride and groom did not supply the wedding cake. Rather, each wedding guest brought a small cake or bun to contribute to the festivities. The many cakes were stacked up high in layers. It was considered good luck if the bride and groom could kiss over the top of the stack without toppling them over. (It’s from this custom that we probably inherited the tradition of using a kissing-bride-and-groom cake topper, too.)

Over time, these many-layered wedding cakes gave way to the typical tiered cakes that are found at weddings today. It is possible that these tiers evolved from the shape of the spire from a famous medieval church. St. Bride’s Church in London was designed by Christopher Wren, and an ingenious baker decided to create a cake in the form of the famous landmark. The cake was a hit, and people have copied it ever since.

The white icing that is typical of today’s wedding cakes gained precedence in Victorian England. While white has long been a symbol of purity (and thus of the bride’s virginal state), Queen Victoria helped popularize bridal white. Her lavish wedding in 1840 boasted a wedding cake that weighed 300 pounds and was adorned with flowers. Amazingly, a piece of this cake is still on display at Windsor Castle!

Wedding cakes are a tradition that have lasted for centuries and will no doubt endure for hundreds of years more. By choosing your own wedding cake, you, too, will take part in this wonderful tradition.

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Wedding Cake Traditions

What wedding would be complete without a wedding cake? Wedding cakes seem to be the one aspect of weddings that people all over the world agree upon. But not all cakes are created equal! Many countries around the world have some very different—and amazing—cakes as a part of their wedding traditions.

Lithuania
One of the most unusual wedding cakes in the world can be found in Lithuania. The shakotis, or tree cake, is a tower of confection that looks very much like a pine tree. Traditionally, a shokotis is baked on a revolving spit over an open fire, a custom which dates back to medieval times of cooking before the hearth. The shokotis has a light texture and is not too sweet, so it appeals to a variety of palettes.

Bermuda
On this island, wedding cakes are topped with a small sapling. After the wedding, the newly-married couple may plant the tree and watch it grow throughout the years.

France
For a truly indulgent wedding cake, it’s hard to beat the French creation, croquembouche. The name translates as “crunch in the mouth,” and it’s easy to see why. A croquembouche is made a stacking cream-filled pastries into a cone, then dipping the creation in hot toffee or caramel. The topping hardens, and individual portions are broken off for each wedding guest. A croquembouche may be drizzled in chocolate and decorated with ribbons and flowers, as well, making it a wedding cake that is both delicious and beautiful.

Peru
In Peru, it isn’t the wedding cake that’s different, but the tradition associated with the cake. Charms are placed between the layers of cake, attached to colorful ribbons. At the ceremony, each single lady pulls out one of the ribbons, and the lady who finds the the “ring” charm will supposedly be married within the next year! In recent years, this tradition has migrated to the southern United States, though sometimes a special cake with ribbons may be made for the bridal shower rather than the wedding itself.

Norway
The traditional Norwegian wedding cake isn’t cake at all—it’s bread. White flour was once scarce in Norway, so bread was highly prized. Brudlaupskling, the wedding bread, is topped with cream, syrup, and cheese, then cut into squares to serve to guests.

These are only a few of the interesting wedding cakes and wedding cakes tradtions from around the world. Perhaps one of these cakes will inspire your creativity!

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Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is one of the most memorable aspects of your reception. If you want a wedding cake that will really impress your guests, how about one of these?

Tried and True
Traditionally, wedding cakes are rounds of fruit cake, stacked or layered in tiers, and covered with white frosting. Decorations such as hearts, flowers, and ribbons may adorn the layers of such a cake. At the top, of course, rests a cake topper. Most often, the cake topper is a miniature bride and groom. Cake toppers come in hundreds of styles, though, so it is easy to find one that reflects your personality. You might choose a monogrammed initial studded with gems, or the word “Love” in gold or silver. You can even find comical cake toppers, such as the groom carrying his golf clubs while the bride looks on in dismay!

The Flavour of Love
If you’d like to be a little different, but not too different, you might choose an unusual flavor for your wedding cake. Layers of strawberry cake and pineapple cake complement each other beautifully. White chocolate raspberry cake, peanut butter and chocolate cake, and even carrot cake will give your guests a taste to remember—and rave about!

A Great Gift
One way to add an element of surprise to your reception is to have a wedding cake shaped like a group of gifts. When decorated with bows, this cake blends right in amongst the wedding gifts. Just be sure that nobody sets more gifts on top of it!

Fun for all Ages
If you’re young at heart, or if there will be lots of children attending your reception, create your wedding cake by stacking tiers of cupcakes. These little wedding cakes will disappear like hotcakes!

Chocoholics, Rejoice!
Are you a chocoholic? Then you might want to have a wedding cake fondue! Set up a chocolate fondue fountain at your reception, along with a mouth-watering selection of fruits and sweets. Bite-sized cubes of cake can be placed on toothpicks and easily dipped into the flowing chocolate to create an enjoyable alternative to the traditional wedding cake.

Spring is in the Air
For a spring celebration, a wedding cake in pastel colours is perfect. Decorate your cake with fresh flowers or flowers made of frosting or fondant. Wedding cakes can be decorated for any season or holiday, from the red and gold of autumn leaves to ice-blue sparkle of Christmas snowflakes.

Make a Splash
For something really unique, make one of the tiers of your wedding cake a miniature fountain. Or, elevate your cake on a pedestal and place the fountain underneath. Some fountains even have lighting to make your wedding cake glow.

Cake? Who Needs Cake?
Perhaps you aren’t a fan of cake. Don’t feel obliged to have a wedding cake just because it’s tradition. Who says you can’t have a wedding cheesecake, or a wedding ice cream cake? Choose a dessert that strikes your fancy, and get creative! You might even offer a “cake” made of fruits for those health-conscious of your guests.

Whatever cake you choose, wedding cakes are an important part of your big day. Bon appetit!

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