Every good wedding guest knows they can't show up to the wedding looking better than the bride - quite impossible, of course - but some new trends in wedding cake design make the pastry seem like it's trying to steal the show! Gone are the days of a simple white-on-white, three-tiered sponge; these trends from the cake-baking world will demand a page in your photo album dedicated to dessert:

1. Black, White & Pop!
Cakes decorated in black and white have become popular in recent years for their striking appearance atop the dessert table. White frosting with delicate black flower outlines or white with bold black stripes are two especially popular designs. But why stop at the black and white? Add some pop to the cake with one bold accent color, such as red roses or bows the color of the bridesmaid dresses. The cake will have the elegance of black and white plus a touch of fun flair.

2. Personalized
Raised initials in the frosting or even poetry written across the layers of the cake can be a classy personal touch to the dessert. You can even ask the baker if you can bring in a sample of your handwriting to follow in order to create the lettering; that way the couple can truly feel like they contributed to the cake without having to clean up the kitchen!

3. Creative Accents
Fresh flowers on top of your pastry creation will never lose their charm, but there are plenty of other options to liven the decoration. Bows, ribbons, edible pearls, jewels, fresh or sugared fruit are all simple ways to accent a plain base. Holiday wedding cakes are especially beautiful with festive accents - mistletoe or sparkly sugared snowflakes both tie in the holiday spirit and create a beautiful dessert.

4. Metallic Accents
If you think fresh oranges or a big red bow might be too bold of an accent for your wedding décor, consider using simple metallic lines or dots to make a sophisticated statement on your cake. Brassy accents are best for more formal, night receptions, and look especially elegant when simply lined with pearls.

5. Eat it All!
Don't worry about having to clean out space in your freezer for a year to preserve some of your cake for the traditional first anniversary dessert. Most bakeries, possibly for a small charge, promise the couple another tasty "anniversary" cake one year after they're married. You'll be able to enjoy the same taste you devoured on your wedding without having to defrost it for two days ahead of time, or worrying about nasty freezer burn!

6. Centerpiece Cakes
With so many ways to make your cake great, how is a couple supposed to decide on just one? With centerpiece or mini cakes, there's no need to! Instead of one large cake, many couples opt for a smaller cake designed as a centerpiece at each table and intended just to serve the number of guests seated there. You can encourage guests to mingle by offering different flavors and designs at the different tables, or use this as your chance to get around to everyone by insisting on cutting the first slice in each cake. What's more, this cuts down on your wedding budget since smaller cakes are often less expensive than a large one, and you won't need to buy other decorations for a centerpiece!

Have you seen Premier Bride's "Cake Trends" video? Click here to view this informative two-minute clip.

- By Rachelle Dragani, Premier Bride Intern. Photo by Elegant Bakery in Lakewood, CO. Click on the image to visit their web site.

Your cake might look so delectable that your guests are going to want to eat dessert first, but here are some tips to making that meal before the cake just as inviting:

Mid-Day Reception:
A lunchtime meal probably doesn't have the formal feel of a sit-down dinner, so the food shouldn't be as filling or hearty as one, either - but that does not mean you should be stingy on the food! This is the perfect place for a spread of small items such as finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, pasta salads and tasty dips and spreads. Or, for a brunch type setting, why not try a fancy pancake bar? Guests could add a variety of fruits, creams or syrups to their flapjacks, and a round of mimosas would wash them right down.

Early Evening Reception:
Be careful if you'd rather your reception have just appetizers and hors d'oeuvres than a meal. Often, caterers will charge the same amount or similar for hot appetizers and you don't want guests with stomachs too empty to drink and dance! If you don't want the sit-down meal, though, one option is to go global with your snacks - have different stations for guests to mingle around with treats from around the world such as egg rolls, mini quesadillas and bruschetta.

Dinner Alternatives:
If you just can't decide between menu options or want something a little less formal than a sit-down affair, try a themed buffet bar! Pasta, tacos and crepes all make great bases, then the guests can add whatever type of topping they want: shrimp with alfredo sauce or chicken and pesto on the pasta; strawberry-banana crepes with chocolate drizzled on top. These are especially great if you're worried about picky eaters, vegetarians, or kids: everyone will be able to create a combo they want!

- By Rachelle Dragani, Premier Bride Intern.

As designs for wedding cakes become bolder and brighter, the shape of a wedding cake doesn't necessarily mean a three-tiered circle anymore, either. New crooked designs will have half your guests hoping it doesn't collapse and half thinking they just walked into Dr. Seuss's wonderful world of weddings!

Some couples abandon traditional cake shapes altogether and opt for a mini replica of a castle, or of a seashell for beach weddings.

If you want to keep with the older tradition of a separate bride and groom cake, a his-and-hers hat cake design has a retro chic feel to it. Or, if the two of you share a special pet, why not let it in on the ceremony and model the cake after your pooch?

Hexagons, squares, diamonds, or a combination of all sorts of shapes add even more whimsy and wonder to your fairytale day, so don't be afraid to look outside the box for a shape for your cake!

- By Rachelle Dragani, Premier Bride Intern.

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Remember, I love hearing from you! Please share your story, advice, question or wedding tip with me, and I may be able to include it in a future issue of The Premier Planner. Send me an email!

Cheers!
Michele
Editor

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Michele Holland is the author of The Bridal University Wedding Planner, a 264-page, comprehensive wedding planner & workbook that includes dozens of meaningful ways to personalize your wedding. It will be available sometime this summer. More information and wedding inspiration can be found on the Bridal University web site.