You want to avoid a DIY disaster, couples often make mistakes when planning their weddings. While some will be small, like forgetting a pair of cufflinks on the dresser, others can be a bit more impactful. Forgetting to take major points into account when planning can lead to outcomes that pose a major threat to the enjoyment of your event. Thankfully, you can do yourself a big favor by considering a few things early. Review these tips and learn what to do when a problem appears.
DIY Disaster
Thanks to the internet and sites like Pinterest and YouTube, most people feel like they can tackle any project they imagine on their own. This has led to countless couples opting to take the DIY route with wedding decor in order to save money and give the event a more personal touch. Anyone who has experience in this area, however, knows how complicated such tasks can be. Just because it looks simple in a tutorial doesn’t mean it is going to be easy for you to execute in real life.
If you put off DIY tasks until the last minute and find you’re unable to complete the job because it is way more complicated than you thought, you’re in a worst-case scenario. Avoid this by doing a trial run of the project far in advance. Time yourself and see how long it takes to get a single item finished. Have a backup plan in the event something goes awry, and you should be in a much better position.
Outdoor Disaster
Outdoor weddings are a spectacular way to make the beauty of nature a central part of your big day. Sadly, the sunshine and scenic landscapes often come along with a variety of threats and annoyances. Rain when the forecast called for clear skies, for example, can set the entire day’s events into a tizzy. When planning an event that takes place outside, you absolutely want to consider inclement weather. Even if this means renting a tent you never have to use, the precautionary measures will be well worth the effort should you require them.
Bugs can also prove to be an aggravation. Thankfully, these pests are much easier to handle than a sudden thunderstorm. Giving your guests bug spray when they arrive or lighting candles meant to ward off particular insects can be great options. Think about whatever outdoor threats are most likely to impact your wedding and be sure to include potential solutions for each to give yourself peace of mind.
Guest Requests
Another interesting setback you might encounter has to do with your guests. These days, people tend to have a lot more restrictions when it comes to meals. From major allergies to strict diets, you’d be surprised at how many couples receive special meal requests from friends and family. As to not be surprised by this, be sure to include a mention of requests on your save-the-date cards or invitations. This will allow anyone with restrictions to give you ample warning so that it can be addressed with caterers in advance.
DIY Forgetful Minds
Finally, you’re probably most stressed about forgetting something important on the day of your wedding. Whether it is something major like tips for the vendors or something small like an accessory you wanted to include in your outfit, you can reduce your stress levels by making a simple checklist. More often than not, a list that you can refer to when putting yourself together on the morning of your event can work wonders toward ensuring you bring each and every item you require.
These are just a few of the problems you are likely to encounter when planning for your big day. In order to feel confident in your decisions and reduce the odds of a surprise disaster, put together a strategy that covers all the mistakes you’re most likely to experience.
There are alternatives to a wedding cake. Many wedding receptions feature a towering, multi-tiered cake with white frosting and elaborate details, and Canadian marriage ceremonies are no exception. While this cake stands as an iconic symbol of Western weddings, you might prefer to represent your homeland for your special day. You can add a touch of Canuck to the festivities with wedding cake alternatives that are distinctly Canadian. Consider these options for your reception.
1. Nanaimo Bars As Alternatives
Named for the town of Nanaimo in British Columbia, this no-bake dessert may be one of the most well-loved Canadian sweet treats. This dessert is made of three layers, starting with a crust of chocolate, coconut, and graham cracker. The middle layer is rich and creamy yellow custard, topped by a gooey layer of chocolate ganache. The earliest recipe for this treat dates back to the early 1950s, but today’s Nanaimo bar has been modified to include other flavors such as mint, mocha, and peanut butter, among others. Dress this dessert up or down as appropriate for your celebration.
2. Saskatoon Berry Pie
Some people prefer a flaky top crust and a sweet berry filling to kick off a life together. Saskatoon berries resemble blueberries, but they’re smaller and sweeter, with a slightly nutty flavor that is reminiscent of almonds. Also known as juneberries or prairie berries, Saskatoon berries are abundant during the summer months in Canada’s prairie region, including Saskatchewan. Serve whole pies to be cut into slices or individual pies.
3. BeaverTails
When it comes to Canadian desserts, you can’t go wrong with a treat named for the national animal. This sweet treat is made from hand-stretched, fried dough that is topped with chocolate, hazelnut spread, maple butter, and more. Shaped like the tail of a beaver, this fried snack has been a national favorite for over 40 years. Even former US President Barack Obama enjoys this Canadian treat whenever he visits. BeaverTails can also be served as savory snacks, topped with cheese, ham, and other proteins instead.
4. Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are some of the oldest Canadian confections around. Dating back to Canada’s pioneer days, these handheld tarts are almost like pecan pies without the pecans. Hugely popular on the east coast, these pastries are made of butter, cream, sugar, and eggs — everything we love in a dessert. The most common flavor is a filling made of maple and vanilla, but for your nuptials, you could opt for alternative fillings, especially flavors or colors that hold significance.
5. Tiger Tail Ice Cream Alternatives
Exclusive to Canada, this ice cream gets its name from its appearance. It is orange-flavored ice cream swirled with black licorice ribbons, resembling the signature orange and black-striped look of a tiger. While this ice cream peaked in popularity between the 1950s and 1970s, it is still available. Whether you serve it as a snack or as a complement to another dessert, you’re sure to score points with guests, especially those who are nostalgic.
6. Persian
Although the name might make you think otherwise, this dessert actually comes from the city of Thunder Bay in Northwest Ontario. The best way to think of a Persian is as a love child of a cinnamon bun and a donut. Persians are typically oval-shaped and cinnamon-flavored. They’re usually served covered in pink frosting with either a strawberry or raspberry flavor. Consider this treat for your reception menu, especially if pink is a part of your color scheme.
When you’re tying the knot in front of loved ones, you want to make sure that the event is one that everyone recollects fondly. Choosing a menu that makes you and your spouse-to-be happy goes a long way toward that goal. Canada offers several types of desserts that are sure to make your day of celebration extra sweet and super special.
Naked cakes continue to enjoy popularity at Canadian weddings, and may be just the right dessert option for your nuptials.
How do you feel about naked cakes? Ask engaged couples, food fanatics, and wedding industry insiders, and you’ll likely find folks who either love or loathe them. While some south of the border decry the trend as overdone and trite, others suggest that naked cakes will remain a top choice among Canadian couples. If you’re curious about these unusual treats and are thinking of one for your reception, read on.
A Brief History of Naked Cakes
Jennifer Bain reported in a January 2015 Toronto Star piece that naked cakes (cakes in which the sides are bare) became a top choice for weddings in the Queen City that same summer. Bain traces the genesis of the naked cake trend back to 2008, where the treat debuted in New York City at Milk Bar’s grand opening. After chef Christina Tosi invented the confection, it was embraced by foodie culture and eventually crossed the border into Canada.
Brides writer Gabriella Relloadds that naked cakes first hit mainstream American bakeries in 2013. As more establishments added them to their menus, demand for these low-fi desserts slowly increased. American actress Angelina Jolie boosted their popularity when she opted for a naked cake at her August 2014 wedding to Brad Pitt. These treats quickly made the top trends and ideas lists of several major wedding publications between 2014 and 2016. They became a frequent sight at weddings, especially those with rustic, bohemian, or casual themes.
Perhaps due to the common tendency for trends to become trite, 2016 saw a hatred for naked cakes that was just as spirited as the initial fervor for them. In a September 2016 Country Livingarticle, Lyndsey Matthews cited several reasons for this backlash. She opined that the trend had run its course, then pointed to both sloppy execution and their tendency to dry out as her rationale for agreeing with the haters. Even the U.S. version of Wedding Wire said “See ya” to naked cakes, rolling out new cake trends south of the border for 2019.
To Bare or Not To Bare? Key Factors To Consider
Despite the detractors, Wedding Wire Canada’s Alice Prendergast speculates that naked cakes may still be popular choices at Canadian nuptials in 2019. She suggests that they could take on new dimensions in looks and taste, elevated by elements that infuse new aesthetics and flavors. Prendergast mentions a few ideas for kicking your cake up a few notches:
Dripped glaze over the top and sides
Out-of-the-ordinary decorations
Incorporating multiple cake flavors
Playing with complementary or contrasting colors
As both Country Living’s Lyndsey Matthews and Brides writer Gabriella Rello point out, naked cakes are at a higher risk of drying out due to the lack of exterior frosting. However, the “nearly-nude” versions avert some of this risk with a very thin layer of frosting on their surfaces. Meanwhile, Lucie Loves to Bake discusses a few other factors that will impact your planning if you select a naked wedding cake. First, your confection will need to be assembled and decorated at the venue, since it can’t be transported in its finished state. Secondly, delivery and assembly should occur as close to your meal as possible. Finally, naked cakes melt more easily in hot weather and have a greater tendency to attract unwanted insects.
Are Naked Cakes Here To Stay?
Depending on who you ask, naked cakes are either the best wedding trend du jour or a tired and overrated fad that’s run its course. Nevertheless, adventurous new takes on this delectably bare dessert may help continue their popularity at Canadian weddings. If you decide a naked cake’s right for your event, plan accordingly and shop for a trustworthy baker who can deliciously and flawlessly execute your vision.
There are a wealth of strange traditions surrounding the cake that you might be interested in including at your wedding reception.
The world has seen its fair share of bizarre wedding customs over the centuries. While some practices are going to appear odd to those who are not part of a specific culture, there are certain rituals even long-standing members of a group find weird. Interestingly, many of these acts have to do with the cake. While you might already be familiar with one or two of these customs, there are a wealth of strange traditions surrounding the cake that might take you by surprise.
Learning about some of these fascinating rituals can help you to determine whether or not you want to include any of them in your reception. Take a look at these cake-related customs, and discover the lengths people will go in the name of tradition.
Smash It Up
To kick things off, it can be fun to start with a more well-known custom: the smashing of the cake. At modern weddings, guests can often get a kick out of watching a couple cut the cake and then waiting in anticipation to see if the cake will get smashed in someone’s face. Some couples love this tradition and happily grab handfuls of cake to rub on their partner’s cheeks. Still, other couples are happier keeping their clothes free of sugar and frosting. Interestingly, the custom itself seems to have developed from another weird one.
According to certain European wedding traditions, it was common for a groom to take a few bites off of a loaf of bread baked specifically for the event. Upon biting off a tiny edge of the bread, the groom would then hold the loaf above the head of the bride and shower her with crumbs. After all the bread was crumbled above her, the guests of the wedding would be invited to come and collect crumbs from the ground. The crumbs collected symbolized good luck, and when cakes replaced bread as the preferred nuptial treat, smashing the cake became lucky.
Two-Cake Town
One cake at your reception might be a delicious idea, so why not make it two? Recent years have seen a shift in the number of cakes at weddings. The main reason behind this seems to be to allow both partners the chance to have a bit of creative freedom. Compromise is often the key to a happy relationship, but there are certain happy mediums that might be difficult to find. For example, you’re never going to win when you’re fighting against a partner who wants a chocolate cake. It just won’t happen.
Instead of fighting a losing battle, you can find a lot more joy in having two cakes. The beauty of this option is that you do not need to get two lavish options. You can get two wonderful cakes that are smaller in size and allow guests the option of trying whatever option appeals to them. This is a more modern practice, so there really aren’t any fascinating facts surrounding it. Still, you may find the choice of bringing a second cake into the picture to be too sweet to pass up.
Purity or Price?
The tradition of having a white cake at a wedding is also one with interesting roots. Though white is usually used at ceremonies to symbolize purity, the real reason cakes are white is because of cost. The purer the sugar used in the frosting, the whiter the results. White became the norm as people over the decades raced to see who could boast the whitest confection of the season.
Though there are many interesting traditions surrounding the cake, it is hard to imagine a wedding without one. Discover what customs are the most appealing for your own event by exploring the other fascinating stories out there.
Wedding cake toppers remain a popular way to add a decorative touch and personal style to wedding festivities.
Cake toppers have stood on the summits of multilayered sugary wedding confections for several decades as both decorative touches and symbolic representations of happy newlywed couples. While sources disagree on when their use became widespread, they’ve become a staple at many nuptial gatherings both south of our border and here in Canada. This custom has remained as both an enduring tradition and an opportunity to express each couple’s ethos and personal style.
Origins in the United States
When did the first toppers grace wedding cakes in North America? It depends on who you ask. In their book “Cinderella Dreams: The Allure of the Lavish Wedding,” authors Cele Otones and Elizabeth Pleck mentioned that pairs of figurines representing newlywed couples came into use during the 1950s and were intended to embody the value of togetherness. Meanwhile, blogger Donna Sundblad places their origin before the United States Civil War, noting that affluent families were the first to adopt the trend.
According to Sundblad, the very first toppers usually consisted of flowers, bells or other small objects that represented the newlywed pair. They were typically handcrafted by a member of their families or sculpted by a professional baker with frosting, icing or plaster of Paris. The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History website exhibited a pair of figurines manufactured sometime in the middle or late 20th century, adding that they were more sophisticated and detailed in design than simpler toppers created in the early 1900s. As these decorations became more complex, they expanded to include versions with monogrammed initials, short phrases and shapes such as hearts, bells, bows and even half-moons.
Modern Interpretations of Cake Toppers
As times have changed, so have cake toppers. Sundblad gave one example in her blog post of groom figurines in military uniform becoming widely available for weddings during World War II. Also, the legalization of marriage equality in our country in 2005 translated into more LGBTQ individuals tying the knot. According to a Statistics Canada report, census figures from 2006 and 2011 revealed that the number of same-gender wedded couples almost tripled, rising to 21,015. With the changing demographics of Canada’s citizenry, merchants slowly began selling customized toppers to reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of the couples purchasing them as well as to provide options for same-gender wedded pairs.
These greater customization capabilities have also given rise to some new trends. Enterprising couples have gotten creative, using inspiration from pop culture and working with their bakers to craft unique cakes. As a result, many of them also pick toppers that integrate with or match the cakes’ designs. For example, it’s not unusual to see figurines dressed in Starfleet uniforms or Jedi robes. You might also see cake designs borrowed from popular fictional franchises such as Doctor Who, with its iconic time-traveling blue police box sitting atop these multilayered delights.
Top Tips for Your Toppers
Thinking of including a decorative touch on top of your wedding cake? The experts over at The Pink Bride dispense some important planning advice:
Pick objects that complement your dessert’s overall look
Make sure your topper fits your event’s theme
Silhouettes, monogrammed toppers and food-safe flowers can be great choices
Go for timeless over trendy if you’re saving the topper for future generations
Whether as a mode of quirky personal expression or as just one detail in a wedding’s overall theme and style, the popularity of cake toppers doesn’t appear to be diminishing anytime soon. Both brick-and-mortar and online vendors offer a wide range of products and personalization options from which couples can choose. While picking yours probably won’t be difficult, it’s vital to remember your cake’s design and your wedding theme when making your selection.
A Croquembouche can be a unique wedding cake option.
With the number of French contributions to our culture, you probably won’t be surprised to find a croquembouche at a Canadian wedding. However, you might not be familiar with the history, details and preparation behind these fascinating pastry desserts. Whether you’ve adopted a French theme for your festivities or just want a different type of wedding cake for your reception, this delightful tower of goodness might be just right for your crowd.
Origins in 19th Century France
While much of Canada was still under British rule, a young Parisian baker began crafting a pastry creation that would become his enduring legacy. In January 2017, the U.S. media network National Public Radio website published a piece on legendary French chef Marie-Antoine Carême, the famed inventor of the croquembouche. Born to an impoverished family around 1783 or 1784, he was presumably orphaned by social turmoil resulting from the French revolution. Carême began working in a Paris kitchen at the age of eight, and by the time he was 15 years old, he’d landed a position as an apprentice to top-rated pastry chef Sylvain Bailly.
As Carême honed his craft during his late teen years, Bailly regularly displayed Carême’s stunningly elaborate pastries in his bakery shop window. By the late 1700s, this young sensation had fashioned a tower of small, round cream puffs called “choux” festooned with spun sugar. A recipe for this dessert, which he called a croquembouche, was published in his 1815 cookbook “Le Pâtissier royal parisien.” Meanwhile, Carême continued to rise to culinary stardom, designing lavish, beautiful sweets for the likes of Napoleon, Russia’s Czar Alexander I and prince regent George IV of England.
The Croquembouche in the Modern World
While there are many modern variations on this delicious pastry, they still follow the same basic format: a tall mountain of cream puffs covered in spun sugar and other wonderful edibles. You’ll probably have no difficulty finding bakers in any province to supply one for your special day, and it’s an appropriate wedding cake for many types of wedding themes. Wedding Bells Magazine showcased a French vintage matrimonial affair in a 2012 piece on its website, adding that the couple chose a croquembouche to add a delicate grandeur to their festivities.
If you think that such a spectacular wedding cake should get its own entrance and fanfare, you’re absolutely right. In fact, contributor Kim Petyt on The Good Life France blog revealed that a croquembouche is usually not presented until dessert time. With the lights dimmed and celebratory music playing, guests typically begin chanting “Le gateau! Le gateau!” as the star of the hour is brought out to the dining hall while decorated in small, sizzling fireworks. Once the display is over, the staff serves each guest three or four of the sweet, creamy choux to enjoy.
Flavorful Possibilities Abound
In both exterior decorative touches and inner fillings, the croquembouche presents a wide variety of lovely flavors. Traditionally, each choux contains vanilla-bourbon crème in the center. Nevertheless, bakeries offer several popular filling choices which can include favorites such as caramel and chocolate, or less common tastes like rose, pistachio or orange blossom. Besides spun sugar or pastel-tinted icing, a croquembouche wedding cake can be decked out in sugared almonds, chocolate, candied ribbons or even edible flowers.
A Delicious Wedding Cake Idea for Your Nuptial Affair
The croquembouche is a distinctive and delightful wedding cake that offers a complex combination of aesthetics, French culture and flavor. Its name appropriately translates to “crunch in the mouth,” and your guests will enjoy the taste and texture of this now-classic sweet treat. Add to that the customary celebratory fanfare with which it’s presented during your festivities, and your croquembouche will certainly be a memorable part of your wedding day.
You want to avoid a DIY disaster, couples often make mistakes when planning their weddings. While some will be small, like forgetting a pair of cufflinks on the dresser, others can be a bit more impactful. Forgetting to take major points into account when planning can lead to outcomes that pose a major threat to the enjoyment of your event. Thankfully, you can do yourself a big favor by considering a few things early. Review these tips and learn what to do when a problem appears.
DIY Disaster
Thanks to the internet and sites like Pinterest and YouTube, most people feel like they can tackle any project they imagine on their own. This has led to countless couples opting to take the DIY route with wedding decor in order to save money and give the event a more personal touch. Anyone who has experience in this area, however, knows how complicated such tasks can be. Just because it looks simple in a tutorial doesn’t mean it is going to be easy for you to execute in real life.
If you put off DIY tasks until the last minute and find you’re unable to complete the job because it is way more complicated than you thought, you’re in a worst-case scenario. Avoid this by doing a trial run of the project far in advance. Time yourself and see how long it takes to get a single item finished. Have a backup plan in the event something goes awry, and you should be in a much better position.
Outdoor Disaster
Outdoor weddings are a spectacular way to make the beauty of nature a central part of your big day. Sadly, the sunshine and scenic landscapes often come along with a variety of threats and annoyances. Rain when the forecast called for clear skies, for example, can set the entire day’s events into a tizzy. When planning an event that takes place outside, you absolutely want to consider inclement weather. Even if this means renting a tent you never have to use, the precautionary measures will be well worth the effort should you require them.
Bugs can also prove to be an aggravation. Thankfully, these pests are much easier to handle than a sudden thunderstorm. Giving your guests bug spray when they arrive or lighting candles meant to ward off particular insects can be great options. Think about whatever outdoor threats are most likely to impact your wedding and be sure to include potential solutions for each to give yourself peace of mind.
Guest Requests
Another interesting setback you might encounter has to do with your guests. These days, people tend to have a lot more restrictions when it comes to meals. From major allergies to strict diets, you’d be surprised at how many couples receive special meal requests from friends and family. As to not be surprised by this, be sure to include a mention of requests on your save-the-date cards or invitations. This will allow anyone with restrictions to give you ample warning so that it can be addressed with caterers in advance.
DIY Forgetful Minds
Finally, you’re probably most stressed about forgetting something important on the day of your wedding. Whether it is something major like tips for the vendors or something small like an accessory you wanted to include in your outfit, you can reduce your stress levels by making a simple checklist. More often than not, a list that you can refer to when putting yourself together on the morning of your event can work wonders toward ensuring you bring each and every item you require.
These are just a few of the problems you are likely to encounter when planning for your big day. In order to feel confident in your decisions and reduce the odds of a surprise disaster, put together a strategy that covers all the mistakes you’re most likely to experience.
There are alternatives to a wedding cake. Many wedding receptions feature a towering, multi-tiered cake with white frosting and elaborate details, and Canadian marriage ceremonies are no exception. While this cake stands as an iconic symbol of Western weddings, you might prefer to represent your homeland for your special day. You can add a touch of Canuck to the festivities with wedding cake alternatives that are distinctly Canadian. Consider these options for your reception.
1. Nanaimo Bars As Alternatives
Named for the town of Nanaimo in British Columbia, this no-bake dessert may be one of the most well-loved Canadian sweet treats. This dessert is made of three layers, starting with a crust of chocolate, coconut, and graham cracker. The middle layer is rich and creamy yellow custard, topped by a gooey layer of chocolate ganache. The earliest recipe for this treat dates back to the early 1950s, but today’s Nanaimo bar has been modified to include other flavors such as mint, mocha, and peanut butter, among others. Dress this dessert up or down as appropriate for your celebration.
2. Saskatoon Berry Pie
Some people prefer a flaky top crust and a sweet berry filling to kick off a life together. Saskatoon berries resemble blueberries, but they’re smaller and sweeter, with a slightly nutty flavor that is reminiscent of almonds. Also known as juneberries or prairie berries, Saskatoon berries are abundant during the summer months in Canada’s prairie region, including Saskatchewan. Serve whole pies to be cut into slices or individual pies.
3. BeaverTails
When it comes to Canadian desserts, you can’t go wrong with a treat named for the national animal. This sweet treat is made from hand-stretched, fried dough that is topped with chocolate, hazelnut spread, maple butter, and more. Shaped like the tail of a beaver, this fried snack has been a national favorite for over 40 years. Even former US President Barack Obama enjoys this Canadian treat whenever he visits. BeaverTails can also be served as savory snacks, topped with cheese, ham, and other proteins instead.
4. Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are some of the oldest Canadian confections around. Dating back to Canada’s pioneer days, these handheld tarts are almost like pecan pies without the pecans. Hugely popular on the east coast, these pastries are made of butter, cream, sugar, and eggs — everything we love in a dessert. The most common flavor is a filling made of maple and vanilla, but for your nuptials, you could opt for alternative fillings, especially flavors or colors that hold significance.
5. Tiger Tail Ice Cream Alternatives
Exclusive to Canada, this ice cream gets its name from its appearance. It is orange-flavored ice cream swirled with black licorice ribbons, resembling the signature orange and black-striped look of a tiger. While this ice cream peaked in popularity between the 1950s and 1970s, it is still available. Whether you serve it as a snack or as a complement to another dessert, you’re sure to score points with guests, especially those who are nostalgic.
6. Persian
Although the name might make you think otherwise, this dessert actually comes from the city of Thunder Bay in Northwest Ontario. The best way to think of a Persian is as a love child of a cinnamon bun and a donut. Persians are typically oval-shaped and cinnamon-flavored. They’re usually served covered in pink frosting with either a strawberry or raspberry flavor. Consider this treat for your reception menu, especially if pink is a part of your color scheme.
When you’re tying the knot in front of loved ones, you want to make sure that the event is one that everyone recollects fondly. Choosing a menu that makes you and your spouse-to-be happy goes a long way toward that goal. Canada offers several types of desserts that are sure to make your day of celebration extra sweet and super special.
Naked cakes continue to enjoy popularity at Canadian weddings, and may be just the right dessert option for your nuptials.
How do you feel about naked cakes? Ask engaged couples, food fanatics, and wedding industry insiders, and you’ll likely find folks who either love or loathe them. While some south of the border decry the trend as overdone and trite, others suggest that naked cakes will remain a top choice among Canadian couples. If you’re curious about these unusual treats and are thinking of one for your reception, read on.
A Brief History of Naked Cakes
Jennifer Bain reported in a January 2015 Toronto Star piece that naked cakes (cakes in which the sides are bare) became a top choice for weddings in the Queen City that same summer. Bain traces the genesis of the naked cake trend back to 2008, where the treat debuted in New York City at Milk Bar’s grand opening. After chef Christina Tosi invented the confection, it was embraced by foodie culture and eventually crossed the border into Canada.
Brides writer Gabriella Relloadds that naked cakes first hit mainstream American bakeries in 2013. As more establishments added them to their menus, demand for these low-fi desserts slowly increased. American actress Angelina Jolie boosted their popularity when she opted for a naked cake at her August 2014 wedding to Brad Pitt. These treats quickly made the top trends and ideas lists of several major wedding publications between 2014 and 2016. They became a frequent sight at weddings, especially those with rustic, bohemian, or casual themes.
Perhaps due to the common tendency for trends to become trite, 2016 saw a hatred for naked cakes that was just as spirited as the initial fervor for them. In a September 2016 Country Livingarticle, Lyndsey Matthews cited several reasons for this backlash. She opined that the trend had run its course, then pointed to both sloppy execution and their tendency to dry out as her rationale for agreeing with the haters. Even the U.S. version of Wedding Wire said “See ya” to naked cakes, rolling out new cake trends south of the border for 2019.
To Bare or Not To Bare? Key Factors To Consider
Despite the detractors, Wedding Wire Canada’s Alice Prendergast speculates that naked cakes may still be popular choices at Canadian nuptials in 2019. She suggests that they could take on new dimensions in looks and taste, elevated by elements that infuse new aesthetics and flavors. Prendergast mentions a few ideas for kicking your cake up a few notches:
Dripped glaze over the top and sides
Out-of-the-ordinary decorations
Incorporating multiple cake flavors
Playing with complementary or contrasting colors
As both Country Living’s Lyndsey Matthews and Brides writer Gabriella Rello point out, naked cakes are at a higher risk of drying out due to the lack of exterior frosting. However, the “nearly-nude” versions avert some of this risk with a very thin layer of frosting on their surfaces. Meanwhile, Lucie Loves to Bake discusses a few other factors that will impact your planning if you select a naked wedding cake. First, your confection will need to be assembled and decorated at the venue, since it can’t be transported in its finished state. Secondly, delivery and assembly should occur as close to your meal as possible. Finally, naked cakes melt more easily in hot weather and have a greater tendency to attract unwanted insects.
Are Naked Cakes Here To Stay?
Depending on who you ask, naked cakes are either the best wedding trend du jour or a tired and overrated fad that’s run its course. Nevertheless, adventurous new takes on this delectably bare dessert may help continue their popularity at Canadian weddings. If you decide a naked cake’s right for your event, plan accordingly and shop for a trustworthy baker who can deliciously and flawlessly execute your vision.
There are a wealth of strange traditions surrounding the cake that you might be interested in including at your wedding reception.
The world has seen its fair share of bizarre wedding customs over the centuries. While some practices are going to appear odd to those who are not part of a specific culture, there are certain rituals even long-standing members of a group find weird. Interestingly, many of these acts have to do with the cake. While you might already be familiar with one or two of these customs, there are a wealth of strange traditions surrounding the cake that might take you by surprise.
Learning about some of these fascinating rituals can help you to determine whether or not you want to include any of them in your reception. Take a look at these cake-related customs, and discover the lengths people will go in the name of tradition.
Smash It Up
To kick things off, it can be fun to start with a more well-known custom: the smashing of the cake. At modern weddings, guests can often get a kick out of watching a couple cut the cake and then waiting in anticipation to see if the cake will get smashed in someone’s face. Some couples love this tradition and happily grab handfuls of cake to rub on their partner’s cheeks. Still, other couples are happier keeping their clothes free of sugar and frosting. Interestingly, the custom itself seems to have developed from another weird one.
According to certain European wedding traditions, it was common for a groom to take a few bites off of a loaf of bread baked specifically for the event. Upon biting off a tiny edge of the bread, the groom would then hold the loaf above the head of the bride and shower her with crumbs. After all the bread was crumbled above her, the guests of the wedding would be invited to come and collect crumbs from the ground. The crumbs collected symbolized good luck, and when cakes replaced bread as the preferred nuptial treat, smashing the cake became lucky.
Two-Cake Town
One cake at your reception might be a delicious idea, so why not make it two? Recent years have seen a shift in the number of cakes at weddings. The main reason behind this seems to be to allow both partners the chance to have a bit of creative freedom. Compromise is often the key to a happy relationship, but there are certain happy mediums that might be difficult to find. For example, you’re never going to win when you’re fighting against a partner who wants a chocolate cake. It just won’t happen.
Instead of fighting a losing battle, you can find a lot more joy in having two cakes. The beauty of this option is that you do not need to get two lavish options. You can get two wonderful cakes that are smaller in size and allow guests the option of trying whatever option appeals to them. This is a more modern practice, so there really aren’t any fascinating facts surrounding it. Still, you may find the choice of bringing a second cake into the picture to be too sweet to pass up.
Purity or Price?
The tradition of having a white cake at a wedding is also one with interesting roots. Though white is usually used at ceremonies to symbolize purity, the real reason cakes are white is because of cost. The purer the sugar used in the frosting, the whiter the results. White became the norm as people over the decades raced to see who could boast the whitest confection of the season.
Though there are many interesting traditions surrounding the cake, it is hard to imagine a wedding without one. Discover what customs are the most appealing for your own event by exploring the other fascinating stories out there.
Wedding cake toppers remain a popular way to add a decorative touch and personal style to wedding festivities.
Cake toppers have stood on the summits of multilayered sugary wedding confections for several decades as both decorative touches and symbolic representations of happy newlywed couples. While sources disagree on when their use became widespread, they’ve become a staple at many nuptial gatherings both south of our border and here in Canada. This custom has remained as both an enduring tradition and an opportunity to express each couple’s ethos and personal style.
Origins in the United States
When did the first toppers grace wedding cakes in North America? It depends on who you ask. In their book “Cinderella Dreams: The Allure of the Lavish Wedding,” authors Cele Otones and Elizabeth Pleck mentioned that pairs of figurines representing newlywed couples came into use during the 1950s and were intended to embody the value of togetherness. Meanwhile, blogger Donna Sundblad places their origin before the United States Civil War, noting that affluent families were the first to adopt the trend.
According to Sundblad, the very first toppers usually consisted of flowers, bells or other small objects that represented the newlywed pair. They were typically handcrafted by a member of their families or sculpted by a professional baker with frosting, icing or plaster of Paris. The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History website exhibited a pair of figurines manufactured sometime in the middle or late 20th century, adding that they were more sophisticated and detailed in design than simpler toppers created in the early 1900s. As these decorations became more complex, they expanded to include versions with monogrammed initials, short phrases and shapes such as hearts, bells, bows and even half-moons.
Modern Interpretations of Cake Toppers
As times have changed, so have cake toppers. Sundblad gave one example in her blog post of groom figurines in military uniform becoming widely available for weddings during World War II. Also, the legalization of marriage equality in our country in 2005 translated into more LGBTQ individuals tying the knot. According to a Statistics Canada report, census figures from 2006 and 2011 revealed that the number of same-gender wedded couples almost tripled, rising to 21,015. With the changing demographics of Canada’s citizenry, merchants slowly began selling customized toppers to reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of the couples purchasing them as well as to provide options for same-gender wedded pairs.
These greater customization capabilities have also given rise to some new trends. Enterprising couples have gotten creative, using inspiration from pop culture and working with their bakers to craft unique cakes. As a result, many of them also pick toppers that integrate with or match the cakes’ designs. For example, it’s not unusual to see figurines dressed in Starfleet uniforms or Jedi robes. You might also see cake designs borrowed from popular fictional franchises such as Doctor Who, with its iconic time-traveling blue police box sitting atop these multilayered delights.
Top Tips for Your Toppers
Thinking of including a decorative touch on top of your wedding cake? The experts over at The Pink Bride dispense some important planning advice:
Pick objects that complement your dessert’s overall look
Make sure your topper fits your event’s theme
Silhouettes, monogrammed toppers and food-safe flowers can be great choices
Go for timeless over trendy if you’re saving the topper for future generations
Whether as a mode of quirky personal expression or as just one detail in a wedding’s overall theme and style, the popularity of cake toppers doesn’t appear to be diminishing anytime soon. Both brick-and-mortar and online vendors offer a wide range of products and personalization options from which couples can choose. While picking yours probably won’t be difficult, it’s vital to remember your cake’s design and your wedding theme when making your selection.
A Croquembouche can be a unique wedding cake option.
With the number of French contributions to our culture, you probably won’t be surprised to find a croquembouche at a Canadian wedding. However, you might not be familiar with the history, details and preparation behind these fascinating pastry desserts. Whether you’ve adopted a French theme for your festivities or just want a different type of wedding cake for your reception, this delightful tower of goodness might be just right for your crowd.
Origins in 19th Century France
While much of Canada was still under British rule, a young Parisian baker began crafting a pastry creation that would become his enduring legacy. In January 2017, the U.S. media network National Public Radio website published a piece on legendary French chef Marie-Antoine Carême, the famed inventor of the croquembouche. Born to an impoverished family around 1783 or 1784, he was presumably orphaned by social turmoil resulting from the French revolution. Carême began working in a Paris kitchen at the age of eight, and by the time he was 15 years old, he’d landed a position as an apprentice to top-rated pastry chef Sylvain Bailly.
As Carême honed his craft during his late teen years, Bailly regularly displayed Carême’s stunningly elaborate pastries in his bakery shop window. By the late 1700s, this young sensation had fashioned a tower of small, round cream puffs called “choux” festooned with spun sugar. A recipe for this dessert, which he called a croquembouche, was published in his 1815 cookbook “Le Pâtissier royal parisien.” Meanwhile, Carême continued to rise to culinary stardom, designing lavish, beautiful sweets for the likes of Napoleon, Russia’s Czar Alexander I and prince regent George IV of England.
The Croquembouche in the Modern World
While there are many modern variations on this delicious pastry, they still follow the same basic format: a tall mountain of cream puffs covered in spun sugar and other wonderful edibles. You’ll probably have no difficulty finding bakers in any province to supply one for your special day, and it’s an appropriate wedding cake for many types of wedding themes. Wedding Bells Magazine showcased a French vintage matrimonial affair in a 2012 piece on its website, adding that the couple chose a croquembouche to add a delicate grandeur to their festivities.
If you think that such a spectacular wedding cake should get its own entrance and fanfare, you’re absolutely right. In fact, contributor Kim Petyt on The Good Life France blog revealed that a croquembouche is usually not presented until dessert time. With the lights dimmed and celebratory music playing, guests typically begin chanting “Le gateau! Le gateau!” as the star of the hour is brought out to the dining hall while decorated in small, sizzling fireworks. Once the display is over, the staff serves each guest three or four of the sweet, creamy choux to enjoy.
Flavorful Possibilities Abound
In both exterior decorative touches and inner fillings, the croquembouche presents a wide variety of lovely flavors. Traditionally, each choux contains vanilla-bourbon crème in the center. Nevertheless, bakeries offer several popular filling choices which can include favorites such as caramel and chocolate, or less common tastes like rose, pistachio or orange blossom. Besides spun sugar or pastel-tinted icing, a croquembouche wedding cake can be decked out in sugared almonds, chocolate, candied ribbons or even edible flowers.
A Delicious Wedding Cake Idea for Your Nuptial Affair
The croquembouche is a distinctive and delightful wedding cake that offers a complex combination of aesthetics, French culture and flavor. Its name appropriately translates to “crunch in the mouth,” and your guests will enjoy the taste and texture of this now-classic sweet treat. Add to that the customary celebratory fanfare with which it’s presented during your festivities, and your croquembouche will certainly be a memorable part of your wedding day.
