Will you be serving cake at your wedding? Have you chosen a design yet? Sampled any flavours?
Blossom Tree Cake Company | Royal Media Weddings
It might seem like a simple sweet-treat-related task on your to-do list, but there’s a lot of decisions to be made. With this in mind, here’s my guide to serving cake at your wedding in 2025 and beyond…
The history of serving cake at your wedding is rich and varied. In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, a cake of barley or wheat was broken over the bride’s head to bring the newlyweds good fortune in their married life. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a ‘bride’s pie’ was traditionally served at weddings. According to a 1685 recipe by Robert May, the bride’s pie was filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels and cocks’ combs. Personally, I’m very relieved this wedding tradition died out!
Eventually, fruit cake with royal icing became popular, thanks in part to the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. Their circular wedding cake weighed 300 pounds and had a circumference of about 3 metres. It was intricately iced in pure white and decorated with festoons of orange blossom and sprigs of myrtle.
Jessica Lauren Cakes | Jessica Lily Photography
Traditionally, serving cake at your wedding meant cutting into three tiers of rich, dark fruit cake covered in marzipan and icing. Fruit cake was chosen for its longevity. Guests would be invited to enjoy a slice of the bottom tier with tea and coffee during the wedding or given some to take home in a wedding cake box.
The middle tier was reserved for friends and family who couldn’t attend, and the top tier was for the couple to save for the christening of their first child. Thankfully, there’s less pressure to conceive on your wedding night these days, but some couples continue to save and freeze the top tier, defrosting a slice or two to mark their first wedding anniversary.
In 2026, when it comes to choosing the size, shape, flavour, filling, and design of your wedding cake, the options are endless. Not into tiers? Sheet cakes are having a moment right now. Not a fan of royal icing? Leave your cake ‘naked’ or try buttercream or ganache. Fruit cake not your thing? How about red velvet, strawberry champagne, or salted caramel? Can’t settle on a single flavour? Order all three! Arrange a tasting (or request samples) and go for flavours you both enjoy.
Once you’ve chosen your wedding cake, it’s up to you to decide how and when you’d like it served. If you’re planning an evening buffet, you could include finger portions as part of the spread. Cut the cake earlier in the day, and you could offer guests a ‘cake canape’ after your ceremony.
If you’re eager to ensure your cake gets eaten, serving it for dessert could be the way to go. Ask your caterers to finish each plated portion with a quenelle of fresh whipped cream or ice-cream. Depending on the flavour of your cake, add nuts or fresh berries as a garnish. For a more informal, relaxed feel, serve finger portions ‘family style’ on sharing boards at the centre of each table. Sending guests home with a little sweet treat is also an option. Simply ask your caterers or wedding venue to portion your cake into individual boxes.
Finally, however you decide to serve your wedding cake, make sure you get to enjoy some of it too. After all those months of planning and decisions about which cake to go for, it would be such a shame not to eat any of it yourselves!
Rubylous Cake Co. - Photography by Mirl & Co.
If you’re a great lover of cake, why limit yourself to one?! Cake tables and dessert spreads are a delicious addition at any wedding. I’m always happy to recommend:
The queen of creative and unique wedding cakes who always strives to break the mould and rebel against tradition with her designs.
Rubylous Cake Co. | Daisy Price Photography
I previously wrote about her cakes and pastries in Wedding Cake Alternatives. She also offers Millefoglie, a traditional Northern Italian wedding cake. Adding theatre and a touch of elegance to your wedding, it’s ideal as a summer dessert. You can see one being assembled here.
A traditional Northern Italian wedding cake. Adding theatre and a touch of elegance to your wedding, it’s ideal as a summer dessert.
Consider making your cake or dessert table a real focal point with candles, florals, a fabric backdrop, and bespoke signage. If you’re serving multiple cakes, think about levels. Use cake stands, boxes and crates to display things at different heights. You can also use a range of vessels and serving dishes to present things, especially smaller items like macarons.
Cake - Poppy Pickering Cake Design | Photography - Faye Cornhill Photography
Not if you don’t want to! In my experience, the best way to approach wedding traditions is to view them as optional rather than a necessity. You can pick and choose the ones that feel right and leave anything that doesn’t.
At Benessamy, we’ll always encourage you to own your choices and be confident in your vision! Read Wedding Traditions – Ditch or Keep? for more on this.
Still not sure where to start? Benessamy can help! Discover our Wedding Planning Services or get in touch to arrange a consultation. You’ll find more advice and inspiration via the links below:
Val Mattinson is the founder and Head Planner at Benessamy, specialising in luxury weddings and beautifully curated celebrations across the UK and the Caribbean. With over 15 years of experience, Val is known for her calm, reassuring approach and meticulous attention to detail — supporting couples and hosts who want an unforgettable experience without the overwhelm.
If you’re beginning your planning journey and would like expert guidance, get in touch to arrange an introductory call. Val would love to help you create a celebration that feels thoughtful, joyful and effortlessly seamless.
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Are you hoping to get married at a country wedding venue in the UK? As an experienced wedding planner, I’ve spent many years helping couples find the perfect setting for their celebration.
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