As I have said multiple times in my series of posts, the wedding cake is one of the primary reasons people even show up to a wedding. (If a bride and groom are in denial about this, they need to think back to weddings where they were guests themselves.) The cake is a sweet treat for all who travel far and wide to celebrate the marital union. Of course, there are issues that come with having a wedding cake, specifically cost and overflow of leftovers.
As most of you probably know, wedding cakes are not just flour, sugar, and water anymore. In fact, wedding cakes can cost up to thousands of dollars, depending on size, decorations, and the baker. A few weddings I've attended have featured cakes made by family members, or friends who bake really well. I think this is a great idea; however, this alternative needs to be approached with caution. After all, it IS a wedding, and a nice event. You want a cake that fits the occasion, that you love, and that will taste good to the guests. If your Aunt So-and-So wants to make such-and-such, that's fine, just make sure it's what you want and that it will enhance the mood of the wedding instead of hindering it.
The other issue most (if not ALL) couples have with a wedding cake is a crazy amount of leftover cake. I have been to big weddings, I have been to small weddings, but EVERY wedding I've been to has had a major amount of cake uneaten. Not that I can complain too much, I always end up getting to escort some of the remnant home and eventually eat it later, but that is not an ideal situation for most people. The solution to this problem is not as easy to solve. I'm sure every couple takes into account a ballpark figure of how many guests they will have, but for some reason they still end up with cake in the end. Though I'm not gong to pretend I have the perfect solution to this problem, I think it can be helped by alternative ideas.
Alternative ideas for wedding cake are a fantastic idea, especially for brides and grooms who do not really care for cake. I have multiple friends who have never been fond of cake and have chosen other featured desserts, such as: donuts, ice cream, cheesecake, and candy bars. Most of these couples have chosen to include the aforementioned treats IN ADDITION to a cake, but that doesn't have to be the case.
I know it has been a tradition since the beginning of time to include cake at a wedding; however, a couple should not feel obligated to include something they don't want. Instead of the menu saying "Cake and.." just let the other stand alone. If you have a dessert you like better than cake, have that. If you love pie more than cake, get a bunch of pies. If you like candy bars, get a wide array of candy bars. I even saw on a website where a couple had a table full of different truffles and pastries from their favorite bakeries.
This may seem a bit redundant since the theme of every post seems to be "Do what you want," but I think topic needs special emphasis. If you want to save money and gets something you like better, look into different desserts rather than a plain wedding cake. HOWEVER, if you're a fan of cake (like I am) make sure you get what you like. Don't feel pressured by tradition or pushy friends and family members. Find the right baker, choose the combination of cake, icing, and design you want, and enjoy your day!!
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