Victorian Wedding Cake

A true Victorian wedding cake is not what most people picture when they hear that term. In fact, such a cake was typically a very dense fruit cake covered in white icing.

Queen Victoria herself did not have the towering, tiered cakes many think of when they picture a Victorian wedding cake. That’s not to say that her cake was small by any means. What it lacked in height it made up for in length. It was, in fact, over nine feet long.

Today, however, when a bride says she wants a Victorian wedding cake, she usually means that she wants a cake with at least three tiers and elaborate decorations.

Some Victorian wedding cakes include frosting piped on is such a way as to resemble lace. Others include ribbons and most have flowers – either sugar or real – as adornments as well.

The color is most typically white, but this is not always the case. In fact, some Victorian wedding cakes do to not have any white frosting at all. Instead, they are covered with fondant in any color of the bride’s choosing and decorated either with flowers or piping in a coordinating color.

While the tiers of some cakes are separated by columns, this is not the case with a Victorian wedding cake. Instead, each tier rests one upon the other. Usually there are between three and five tiers, but there can be even more if the bride wishes.

Some bakers specialize in creating beautiful Victorian wedding cakes, but most any baker will be able to make this type of cake.
Some brides try to make their own Victorian wedding cake. Because the tiers sit one on another, it is important the bride understand the basics of cake construction so that the cake can support its own weight.

Also, because the designs are usually elaborate, having some experience with cake decorating is also helpful.

Another option when choosing a Victorian wedding cake is the use of charms. This tradition was at one time very common, and today can be used to add a very special touch to the wedding reception. Charms are baked right into the cake. A string is attached to each charm with sticks out of the cake.

At the reception, each member of the bridal party pulls a string to get a charm. Each of the charms has a special meaning. Some brides purchase a bracelet for their bridesmaids on which they can display the charm they pulled from the cake. Below is a list of some of the available charms along with their meanings.

Four leaf clover: good luck

Wreath: contentment

Dolphin: joy and playfulness

Dove: peacefulness

Owl: wisdom and protection

Tree of life: stability

Of course, some of these charms would not have been included in a traditional Victorian cake, but today there are dozens of options available from which the bride can choose.

In Victorian times, there were usually three cakes. There was one for the guests and then smaller ones for the bride and groom. The charms would have been placed in the bride’s cake. Today, the charms can be placed in the wedding cake or this tradition can be used at a bridal shower.

Victorian wedding cakes are beautiful and many brides like to include this style of cake in their wedding. A Victorian wedding cake is a good choice for many brides and can be made to fit into most every style wedding.