Cake toppers are the crowning decoration to your wedding cake, so spend some time choosing the right one.  When I was married, I chose the traditional white plastic topper with the traditional plastic bride and groom and an arch with white and yellow silk flowers.  That topper is now wrapped in plastic and stored safely away in my cedar chest where absolutely no one sees it.  I wish I had put a little more thought into the choice of my cake topper.

My daughters had the right idea.  They wanted something that not only fit into their theme and expressed who they were, they also wanted something they could display every day in their home.  My oldest daughter chose a Precious Moments® figurine.  My youngest daughter had collected Kim Anderson® figurines her whole life, so using a Kim Anderson® bride and groom figurine as her cake topper was an obvious choice.  The best part is that both girls are able to display their ‘toppers’ in their homes.

My mother and father-in-law used this same idea when deciding on the cake topper for their 60th wedding anniversary party.  We had given them a Precious Moments® figurine for their 50th anniversary, and they chose that same figurine to top their cake 10 years later. 

Ceramic or porcelain figurines do weigh more than conventional cake toppers, but as long as you let your baker know, they will be able to adapt the top layer for the additional weight. 

Cake toppers are not just decorations any more; they’re keepsakes.  And who knows, they may just end up being family heirlooms that can be passed down and used on wedding cakes for generations to come.

Traditional brides will still opt for the traditional-looking wedding cake.  Three to four layers of white frosted cake with colored flowers delicately adorning the tiers and a bride and groom cake topper perched on top.  This was how my wedding cake looked 32 years ago and I still wouldn’t change a thing. 

However, more and more brides are looking for something just a little different.  Not over the wall, but just different enough to reflect the uniqueness of their personality and style.  I’ve recently come across a couple of ideas that might just fit the bill.

The first incorporates the idea of a ‘memory quilt’ into a wedding cake design.  Bakers have been able to reproduce photos onto cakes for some time now, but it is still rare to find this feature in a wedding cake.  I’ve seen cakes with several pictures on them, such as the one pictured, or even with just one picture.  This is usually the engagement picture of the couple.  The pictures are made of edible ink so the entire cake is 100% safe to eat.

The second idea that I’ve heard of is normally used in evening receptions where the lights might be kept low.  Small tea-light candles are nestled around the top of each layer of the cake.  The candles are actually sunk down into the cake so the edges of the candle are not visible.  When the candles are lit, it treats the guests to a beautifully dramatic display.

There are other ways to make your wedding cake unique.  Decorating with fruit instead of flowers or incorporating a waterfall or fountain into the cake design are just a few ideas.  There are as many ideas for unique wedding cakes as there are brides.  

Today it is tradition to save the top layer of the wedding cake and use it to celebrate the first anniversary.  At the time of its origin in the 19th century, however, this was not its purpose.  Since weddings were so closely followed by births, the top layer of the cake was saved to serve to guests at the baby’s christening, usually 9 - 12 months later.  As time has passed, the birth of the first child now normally takes place years after the wedding day, so the original purpose for this tradition has faded away, being replaced by the celebration of the one year anniversary.

The chances of saving cake for a full year and having it taste good are slim, but there are some steps that can be taken to increase those chances.  One idea is to have the top layer of cake made out of something that freezes well, such as fruit cake.  I have also heard from several people that cheesecake is also a great type of cake that will freeze well.  No matter what kind of cake you choose for your top layer, it is best if you first wrap it thoroughly with a good plastic wrap.  Tape any loose ends in order to keep out air.  Then wrap it with foil wrap.  Place the entire cake inside of a hard plastic freezer container to keep it from getting smashed accidentally, and then place it in the freezer.  Mark the container well and don’t forget to also mark your calendars!

If a caterer is taking care of your reception, they will normally provide someone to cut and serve the cake.  However, if your budget demands that a friend or family member stand in for cake-cutting duty, these simple steps will help.

Since most wedding cakes are tiered, start cutting with the bottom layer.  If each tier is two layers high, cut the top layer of the bottom tier first.  Slice vertically through the cake layer up to the second tier.  Then cut into wedge-shaped slices all the way around.  If your bottom tier is two layers high, do the same with the bottom layer of the bottom tier.  Then move onto the next tier, cutting the pieces in the same wedge-shape. 

Square cakes can be cut into square or rectangular-shaped pieces, following the guidelines of cutting through one tier at a time until it is even with the next tier.  Heart-shaped cakes can be cut into halves or quarters, and then sliced in rectangular-shaped pieces.  If your heart-shaped cake is more then one layer, you will need to begin with the top layer.

Don’t forget to remove and save the very top tier of the cake for the couples’ first anniversary celebration.

Next to the bride, few things will create as many ‘oohhs’ and ‘aahhs’ as the wedding cake.  The cake is usually one of the main focal points of any reception room, and the cutting of the cake is a favorite highlight.

The four main things to remember when ordering your cake are:  flavor, design, size and cost.  Traditionally, wedding cakes have always been white, but today that is not necessarily so.  Most bakeries offer a variety of cake flavors and fillings.  Wedding cakes can even offer a different flavor with each layer.  

The design can be completely white, accented with the wedding colors, or even be decorated to match the bride’s wedding dress.  Designs can range from simplistic to intricate.  Most bakeries will have pictures of their designs, but don’t feel limited.  If you’d like something ‘a little different’, just ask.  Keep in mind, however, a specialized cake will greatly increase the cost.  

Know the approximate number of guests that the cake will need to serve.  If you need to keep the cost down, consider ordering a smaller wedding cake with several plain sheet cakes to feed additional guests.  Groom’s cakes are also popular in some parts of the country and help provide extra servings.

Be sure to get the total cost in writing.  Ask questions regarding additional fees; you don’t want to be surprised by the bill.  One last tip: Try a sample of the bakery’s cake before you order.  You’ll want your cake to taste as wonderful as it looks.