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In a recent conversation, a friend explained to me why he wanted a black wedding cake for his wedding, though he really meant chocolate iced because he didn’t think actual black wedding cakes existed. While watching a friend make a wedding cake, he asked why the cake was white, and the baker responded that it was a tradition symbolizing purity and happiness and innocence. After the words left her mouth, the baker realized how problematic the description was, but quickly distanced herself from the issue by stating that it was a tradition with which she had nothing to do. She was just making the cake.

Technically, tradition holds that it’s wedding bread, not wedding cake offered in celebration of nuptials. It became cake during the medieval times, but even then the cakes were plain and undecorated. The Victorian era issued in the tradition of the ‘white’ wedding cake, which easily lends to symbolism of the purity of the bride but is probably more indicative of the lack of ingredients necessary to color the cake icing. So, what started out a creation made from limited resources became a tradition divorced of its somewhat neutral origin. Yes, the bread—and later cake—does connect to the bride, but it has everything to do with the “cutting” and not so much so with the color. White was just easier and cheaper. Thank goodness modernity makes variety much more accessible.

During the discussion with my friend, I told him that all kinds of colors existed for cakes, including black. ITDblog has touched upon the multitude of color options previously, but the conversation left me thinking it would be a good idea to reiterate that weddings are about the desires of the bride and groom, whether they are traditional or not. Black, Grey, or Brown, your wedding cake color is your choice, and if you are not big on sticking to tradition, there is no reason why you cannot play with your cake colors. Besides, you are paying for it so have fun!

White Chocolate Fantasy
White Chocolate Cake filled with Creamy White Chocolate Mousse, iced with White Chocolate Buttercream.

Guava Chiffon Cake
Layers of Guava Cake, filled with a guava jelly, iced with a Whipped Guava Cream.

Coconut-Macadamia Cake
Layers of White Cake filled with Coconut Pastry Cream, Toasted Coconut & Macadamia Nuts, iced with Coconut Buttercream.

Kahlua Chocolate Fudge
Dark Chocolate Cake soaked with Kahlua & filled with Chocolate Fudge

Vanilla Rum Torte
A delicious torte of Vanilla cake sprinkled with Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum & layered with a whipped rum mousse. Moist but never soggy with a light rum flavor.

Make sure you use the right size table. The smaller your cake, the smaller the table should be to avoid overshadowing.

Stick with your theme. The cake table will get plenty of attention so it should blend in well with all of the other elements of your wedding.

Spot lighting looks fabulous and gives a very dramatic effect. If you are using a lighting technician or if you can arrange for your table to sit directly under a light you will love the way your cake is highlighted.

Make it personal. If you would like to memorialize a special someone, you can definitely incorporate small items in their honor. Or if you and your groom have a moment in your lives together you want shared, use that as inspiration.

Racy Red- really loving the lily cake

Vibrant Orange- it’s rare to see orange icing, but such cakes are just as gorgeous as those only with the orange accents.

Yellow is perfect for spring and summer. Honestly, there just aren’t enough yellow-featured weddings.

Green works in so many ways it should be considered neutral. Bonus- before this, I’d never seen a cake that reminded me of cuff links.

Blue certainly adds a bit of suave and class. And as you can tell from Cake #2, it does well for cultural events too.

Purple, regal and romantic, remains my favorite color. However, I have yet to find a cake with purple icing that I can whole-heartedly endorse. Let me know if you find one.

Pink will forever be a wedding classic. Cake #1 was modeled after wedding invitations…an idea that I’m sure can be repeated if you want your own signature look.

Black and White works for classy or wild, so you can’t go wrong. Just add a bold contrast color if you want to spice things up.

Mmm, chocolate! I could refer to these cakes as brown, but brown equals chocolate in my mind. Another great neutral, it’s ideal if decadence, indulgence, and sinfully delicious are key words for the big day.

Location: Brighton, Michigan

What We Like: They list a pricing guide on the website, which gives a clear break down sample in the form of a spreadsheet and an extensive gallery to view the range of their ability. They will also work with you to customize a cake to your specific wishes.

We have been creating wedding and special ocassion cakes in the Low Country since 1979, offering a variety of cake styles and flavors to meet individual client needs. Styles range from traditional to formal, to playful and thematic.