Wedding Cakes

America

Though most of the tradition can be traced to Europec for world cake traditions, England in particular, Americans have taken the cake to more individualistic levels. Many couples regard the cake as a reflection of their lifestyles and personalities. The cake is still the centerpiece of the reception, as it is in England, but they come in different shapes, colors and flavors. It is also America that spawned the seldom-followed tradition of the groomcake.

Australia

Like America, the wedding cake tradition in Australia can be traced back to Great Britain. Similar in style to the multi-tiered British cake, the decorations on the Australian cake have softer edges giving the cake a more rounder effect. Unlike the British cake, the top of the cake is generally free of decorations and the base of the sides would have piped decorations.

India

In Southern India, the British influence is present here as well. Multi-tiered fruit based cakes were produced for the Christian population with a slight twist. Since the expense of creating the cake was high, a "dummy cake" was used which was covered in sugar icing. Since the cake cutting ceremony was important, a wedge of real cake was placed in the dummy-cake for cutting. The icing was then distributed to the guests for eating.

Japan

The Japanese wedding cake is an entirely different item. Cakes were too expensive to make satisfactorily, so they created artificial cakes. Multi-tiered like the British model, the cake is not real, but instead a model, it's icing made of hard wax. There is usually a slot for the bride and groom to thrust a knife into, symbolizing the cutting (and providing a picture for the photographer). Some cakes were built with a lever to emit a burst of steam as the knife is thrust in!

what to look for in a cake