How Tiered Wedding Cakes Came to Be
Wedding cakes are a very traditional part of the wedding ceremony. The tradition dates back centuries to the practice of allowing guests to share the couple's first meal as a newly joined husband and wife. Today, there are often two wedding cakes at a formal event. The main cake is often a tiered affair with the bride and groom figurines on top. The groom's wedding cakes are usually a bit less elaborate, perhaps even a single layer. Chocolate is a favorite for grooms' wedding cakes and decorations are usually left to the preference of the groom.
One of the most common traditions with regard to the role of wedding cakes at a traditional wedding centers around the cutting of the wedding cakes. Typically, the bride and groom join hands, each helping to hold the knife, and make the symbolic first cut of the cake together. There are several traditions being observed here, but it's likely that the two are exhibiting their ability and willingness to work together in all things. Cutting wedding cakes isn't anything near to the challenges the two will likely face as husband and wife, but it does serve as a symbol of their willingness to take on life's challenges.
Another tradition associated with wedding cakes is the saving of the top layer of wedding cakes to be eaten on the couple's first anniversary. This is symbolic of the completion of their first year together and the renewal of their commitment, and the act is supposed to bring continued good luck associated with the original wedding cakes.
But where does the entire tradition of wedding cakes originate? Actually, the ancient tradition of wedding cakes began with the guests throwing the cake at the bride. The action was thought to bring about fertility - necessary in ancient times. At some point, the tradition changed and guests brought small wedding cakes as gifts to the couple. These wedding cakes were stacked, probably a precursor to the modern tiered wedding cakes. As tradition had it, the higher the cakes were stacked, the better the luck that would befall the couple. Who can argue with that logic since a large stack of wedding cakes indicated a large number of friends?