Wedding Cake Toppers and the wedding cake has such a distinguished role in the whole wedding day experience that it seems only natural that Wedding Cake Toppers would gain in such popularity and attention throughout the years. This not so simple adornment atop the wedding cake has enjoyed a renewed interest in the last few decades making the decision of what the cake topper should be an all important detail for brides and couples all over the world. Some wedding experts have actually stated that the wedding cake and the cake topper are second only to the wedding dress as a major attraction at the wedding. You may or may not agree.
However important you may decide the wedding cake topper is, it is nevertheless, one of the many decisions that brides must make when ordering their wedding cake, much like the choice of what you want the wedding cake to look like and taste like. With the myriad of choices out there for unique and distinctive cake toppers, the choice is not always easy. Wedding cake toppers are becoming one of the most popular and, we should add, a very clever way of personalizing the cake to fit in with the theme of the wedding or simply to add any special or personal thoughts of the newly married couple.
The History of Wedding Cake Toppers
The symbolism of the wedding cake tradition dates back to the era of ancient Rome. The cake that they ate back then was much different than what we describe as cake today but the symbolism of our traditional cake cutting ceremony is reminiscent of the past tradition of breaking sweet bread over the head of the bride and feeding a piece to her groom. The history of wedding cake toppers is not nearly that old, nor is it as well-known as the wedding cake that it adorns.
The tradition of the bride serving her husband the first piece of cake has also changed through time. There was a period of time when the bride alone cut the cake and had to serve individual pieces of the cake to the groom first and then to the entire family of the groom in order to symbolize her willingness to labor for her new family unit. Now, etiquette usually dictates that the groom serves the bride first which symbolizes his new responsibility to take care of his bride.
As the size of weddings grew, so did the wedding cake. What started as a small intimate affair, weddings soon became social events that often dictated strict social rules of etiquette, some of which are still observed today or are the basis for others rituals involved in the social aspect of weddings, for instance, the engraved invitation to a formal wedding. The wedding cake, which started out as a single layer dessert for a simple wedding meal has changed into an elaborate ceremony within the whole wedding reception tradition.
The decorative icing on the cake didn’t start until the Victorian age when icing was first made. The tiered cakes made it necessary to harden or stiffen the icing of the cake using marzipan or fondant in order to support the upper layers. Ornamental columns similar to Greek columns can be used to hold up the top layers of the cake. They also add a touch of elegance, distinction and design to the necessary support structure.
Cake toppers are mentioned as early as the mid-1800s and a variety of stories abound about the true beginnings of the cake toppers but none of them are given any real credence as the actual and true start of this tradition. The tradition of using figurines to represent the bride and groom gracefully atop the wedding cake can be traced back to the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840.
To begin with, the cake toppers were homemade and artfully prepared by the bride or by members of her family. By the mid 1920s, mass produced wedding cake toppers were already part of the whole wedding tradition, in part, due to their availability through the Sears catalogue which reached a far ranging audience all across the country. As late as the 1950s, the most common cake topper was a figurine of the bride and groom. A wedding cake topper figurine of a bride and groom in their wedding attire, together on top of the cake soon came to represent the togetherness of the newly married couple.
Since that time, wedding cake toppers have undergone some major changes particularly in the style and clothing of the figurines and of course, using plastic, the figurines could easily be posed. The cake topper figurines have now become modernized and can be found in a multitude of different styles and materials; some of the cake toppers are even edible.
Throughout the decades, wedding cake toppers have reflected the changing wishes and the imagination of young brides. The figurine cake tops soon gave way to entwined hearts, doves, love birds, cherubs, cupids, silver bells or an assortment of other symbols of love and devotion. Even horseshoes symbolizing good luck have been a common and favorite topper for wedding cakes.
Cakes are typically tiered and the top tier of the cake supports the topper. This top tier of the cake is carefully removed and kept separate after the initial cake cutting ritual. This ritual is performed by the bride and groom cutting the first pieces of the wedding cake with a ceremonial knife or perhaps the family sword.
The top tier or a portion of the wedding cake is saved by the newly married couple. Years ago, this practice started at a time when cakes were very expensive and more often than not, the cakes were typically fruitcakes and were much easier to preserve for long periods of time. Since babies tended to follow weddings within the first year, the cake was often preserved for serving at the first baby’s christening celebration.
Waiting longer to have children and the availability of cake has changed this tradition into a special first anniversary dessert. The wedding cake toppers are removed and put aside. The newlyweds most often choose to retain the cake top as a treasured memento or a cherished keepsake of their unforgettable wedding day. At ensuing anniversaries, the topper frequently makes appearances at parties atop celebratory cakes or as a centerpiece of the party decorations.
Groom’s Wedding Cake Toppers
A very old tradition that had almost died out is showing signs of renewed interest in recent years and is known as the groom’s cake. The groom’s cake is a remnant of the Victorian age in the United Kingdom and is not as popular as it once was. Although Prince William did make use of the tradition when he chose a family favorite, McVite’s Rich chocolate biscuit cake to be served as an alternative to the sensational bride’s wedding cake at the reception for the royal wedding.
The wedding cake topper on their beautiful designed cake was a partial wreath of white baby’s breath, keeping in line the tradition of the royal family to always use flower themes as their wedding cake toppers. The baby’s breath design was artistically repeated over and over again in the patterns of the icing and flower designs decorating the entire cake.
Here, in America, the idea of a groom’s cake began and until recently, has stayed primarily in the south as a gift from the bride to the groom. It is typically a dark cake, chocolate or rum soaked cake and decorated in masculine themes. Legend has it that small pieces of the groom’s cake were to be specifically supplied to the single women attending the wedding. These women would then place the piece of cake under their pillow that very night so they would dream of their future husbands.
The remaining cake would be cut into pieces, boxed up and given as wedding favors to the guests. This practice presented another way for the bride to be creative by artfully designing the packaging for her to distribute her wedding favors. Once considered an added and unnecessary expense, the groom’s cake is once again becoming a popular wedding tradition. Humorous or male themed cakes with sometimes elaborate wedding cake toppers are often presented as a dessert at the rehearsal dinner or they can be displayed at the reception, near the bride’s cake, as a less formal treat for guests.
As the tradition gains attention, cakes designed in the shape of a helmet or football, to the fanciest of cakes, are gaining popularity to highlight the interests and hobbies of the groom. Wedding cake toppers delight the guests with their unique and oftentimes humorous presentations. A couple in fatigues or wearing hunting clothes, perhaps carrying fishing poles, race cars and even sports memorabilia have all graced the tops of groom’s cakes as well as keepsakes from memorable events. The sky is the limit when it comes to the groom’s cake toppers.
Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers
Personalized wedding cake toppers are now the most requested type of cake toppers. Whether your topper is an engraved verse, a miniature of your invitation or monogram, the personal touch in cake topper designs are the first choice of many brides today. The designs featured by artisans who create these personalized toppers are amazing and imaginative. Personalizing your cake topper can range from having a quote from your wedding vows engraved or fanciful letters depicting the initials of the newlyweds. Choices for cake topper monograms range from bejeweled letters or sparkling diamond cut engravings. Prongs set deep into the cake itself hold the heavier toppers in place without disrupting the flow of the design. Intricate patterns found within the cake topper can then be utilized in the icing designs whether they are floral patterns, exquisite lacy designs or the very popular Celtic knots.
The options for the materials used in making these lovely wedding cake toppers can range from expensive crystal to more economical plastic. A beautiful alternative for engraved keepsake toppers is called clear lutcite, a type of acrylic, cut into lovely shapes like a heart with chipped edges. Lucite looks like crystal and shimmers beautifully but it holds up better and is not quite as breakable as real crystal.
These elegant toppers make wonderful and treasured keepsakes that can be displayed for years to come. The engraving can match the style of writing on all of the bride’s favors such as the knife, the napkins, matches and even the etching on the champagne glasses. The whole ensemble comes together looking like a matched set and can be purchased that way at many bridal shop specializing in wedding accessories.
Monogrammed wedding cake toppers are a favorite these days with large initials full of jewels or perhaps with diamond cut grooves making them sparkle so beautifully in the light. Large letters encrusted with Swarovski crystals are quickly becoming a favorite cake topper and can be found online and bridals shops. These adorable letter toppers are made to impress and are sure to be keepsakes and can be used as special decorations or ornaments for many years.
Wedding cake toppers that are really creating a lot of buzz are handmade toppers, often dedicated to a special memory or design favorite of the bride. Do it yourself projects abound for a crafty and creative friend or even a talented bride who wishes to have a hands-on approach to everything concerned with her wedding. Unique and handmade wedding cake toppers are a thoughtful and great gift to give the bride, perhaps as a shower present. The theme or design of the can topper can be repeated in the table decorations as well, tying the whole theme of the reception’s décor together very nicely.
Figurine Wedding Cake Toppers
Perhaps the most sought after wedding cake toppers are still the figurines, in every imaginable shape, style and action. Personalized and unique wedding cakes call for personalized and unique figurines to sit atop the cake. Just as the groom’s cake toppers can be fun and silly, so too, can the bride’s cake topper. Figurines of brides trying to run away while being held firm by the groom is sure to be a conversation starter at any wedding as well as toppers featuring the bride roping her groom, dragging him back to her as a western theme wedding cake topper.
Hot rods whisking the bride and groom away on their honeymoon, enjoying the bubbly together, or skiing down a hill are just some of the whimsical and fun cake toppers that are available. For beach weddings and receptions, the wedding cake toppers can showcase the love of the sand and surf or designs with starfish and seashells while sitting perfectly elegant on top of the wedding cake.
Precious Moments has a complete line of absolutely precious wedding cake topper figurines that are sure to make you smile. Cinderella wedding cake toppers feature the groom on his knees kissing the bride in such a romantic gesture. Perhaps you would prefer a sparkling cake topper fashioned from Cinderella’s crown? Crossed hearts, open hearts, hearts surrounding doves, figurines and letters are all popular choices for wedding cake toppers.
Customized wedding cake toppers that feature figurines can present the bride and groom in any ethnicity, including Indian, and Hispanic. The clothing on the figurines can be made to match the color scheme of your wedding or highlight any other occasion including military uniforms and western gear. Floral designs used as a cake topper can be continued by the artist decorating the wedding cake making the whole presentation simply beautiful and elegant. Photographs have even been used to decorate wedding cake toppers.
The bottom line is that you can find a wedding cake topper to match whatever style or theme of your wedding. From the formal to the funny, from the elegant to unexpected, from the sophisticated to the sublime, the perfect wedding cake topper awaits you. However you wish to say, ‘To have and to hold,’ wedding cake toppers will help you say it in your own unique and lovable way.
