Bridal Sweets: Favorite Wedding Cakes

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Center Stage: Instead of one huge cake, many couples are opting for smaller cakes, still beautifully adorned, for each table. These centerpiece cakes are often baked with different fillings and flavors. Some ambitious couples stop by each reception table and slice the first piece. This way they can say hello to all their guests. Other couples ask their guests to slice and sample different cakes at different tables, using this atmosphere to encourage guests to mix and mingle.

Blossoming Choices: More and more brides are finding there is no more beautiful (not to mention frugal) way to decorate their wedding cakes than with flowers. Cakes can be dressed up with freshly cut blooms for a vibrant look, or decorated with candied petals for old-fashioned elegance.

Patty Cake, Patty Cake: So the freezer's a little squeezy, or maybe you just don't want to go through the hassle of preserving and defrosting your cake for that first anniversary. You're not alone. In fact, many bakeries are offering a little extra to brides and grooms who purchase a wedding cake: an anniversary cake. Choose a bakery that offers this treat and you can expect a small cake in the same flavor (and sometimes, in the same design) to enjoy for a romantic anniversary dinner.

Itsy Bitsy Bites: Can't decide on a cake? Wondering what extra special favors to give your guests? Roll two decisions into one with charming and artfully crafted miniature wedding cakes. Set at each place setting, miniature wedding cakes let you choose from a whole range of designs, flavors and styles.

How Sweet It Is: White and yellow sponge cakes are certainly delicious choices, but they aren't your only option. Remember, it's your day; you can eat what you like. Trendy bakeries now offer a host of cake types, ranging from cheesecakes (which can be stacked and tiered), meringue cakes, Baked Alaska, chocolate cakes, fruit cakes, ice-cream cakes, spice cakes, carrot cakes, coffee cakes, pound cakes, mousse cakes and angel food cakes. Let your taste buds be your guide.

Rich Tastes: Many couples choose to offer their guests an array of delectable choices. If you're serving a very rich cake, offering a range of savories makes you downright sweet. Go all out for a dessert table. Imagine a spread of pastries, cookies, fruit, chocolates and dessert cheeses. What could be more delicious than a table full of all their favorite delights!

Color-Coded Cakes: One cake, two cakes, red cake, blue cake. Snow-white cakes are the dream of many brides, but there is also a contingent of couples that choose to add a little color to their focal confections. Bakeries can infuse your cake with a hint of pastel or come up with a Technicolor masterpiece. If you go for a vibrant cake, use the opportunity to incorporate your wedding colors or theme. We've seen beauties that seem white, with a dash of warm pink or yellow. We've also seen stunners in Wedgwood blue with white piping and sugar paste 'sculptures.'