Probably the most important aspect of a wedding reception is the wedding cake and the symbolization that is associated with it. Many stories still exist as too the origins of it and there is no doubt that the wedding cake first originated many centuries ago. Some of these customs have been passed down to each successive generation and are still being honored today.
This has happened with the wedding cake which is believed to have been started as small wheat cakes that were sprinkled over the head of the bride after the wedding. It is believed this was a fertility act and also to bring good luck although this is no longer performed. The cake will feature in many wedding photographs so it is only fitting that the bride and groom should take some time to choose the perfect wedding cake.
Traditionally, wedding cakes used to be three tiered, and were covered with royal icing but today there are hundreds of cakes to choose from, which vary in design, look, as well as taste. The bride and groom have a great deal of choice nowadays as to the type of wedding cake they can choose, even designing it themselves if they wish.
Even the cutting of the wedding cake has meaning because unlike today, it was originally cut only by the bride; this was to signify to everyone attending the wedding that she was going to lose her virginity. However, at modern weddings, the bride and groom cut the cake together to show their love and devotion to share the future together.
Many years ago it was quite normal for a single woman to have a piece of wedding cake placed under her pillow which would allow her to dream of her intended. Even though this is an old tradition, it makes for a good story at the wedding reception. Many married couples keep the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary although long ago it was used only when their first born was christened.
Charms were also once placed inside the cake for the bridesmaids to pull out as each had a different meaning and told their fortune. Women still use these charms even though they aren’t generally found in the cake anymore but worn on the wrist; horseshoes, anchors, hearts, engagement rings and many others, all with different meanings.
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