The wedding cake has been a traditional part of wedding celebrations for a long time. We are familiar with the multi-tiered cake, with its most popular decorations and fillings of marzipan and whipped cream, or persipan and cream. But it wasn’t always so luscious and imaginatively decorated.

In ancient Rome the bridal couple received an almond cake for their wedding. It was broken over the bride’s head, after which the wedding guests collected the crumbs and ate them – right off the floor. Why? It promised good luck and good health.

(Of course, if you include this custom today, don’t be surprised if the bride or guests are shocked and if you never receive another wedding invitation.)

In those times, the cake was flat and a dry alternative to what we enjoy today. Its size was a sign of the family’s prestige. In fact, the family did not provide the cake; instead it was brought by the guests. And it wasn’t one cake – there were several brought as gifts, which were piled on top of each other. This was the origin of the multi-tiered cake we know today. The traditional five tiers symbolize the stations in life: Birth, Holy Communion or Confirmation, Marriage, Children, and Death.

Enjoy your wedding cake!

~ Britta

Cake: Katrina Rozelle