Your wedding cake topper doesn’t have to be the typically dressed bride and groom. Make use of different objects to symbolise your love for each other or your personalities.
They say red is the colour of love and passion, making it a fitting choice for a wedding day. Bold, dramatic and undeniably romantic, red wedding cakes are perfect for couples wanting to make a statement at their reception. Whether you lean toward deep burgundy florals, vintage piping or modern minimalist designs, there’s a red cake style for every aesthetic.
From romantic rose detailing to sleek contemporary finishes, here are a few romantic red wedding cakes that completely steal the spotlight.
Classic romance with a modern edge
This cake proves that red doesn’t have to feel overpowering. The balance of clean detailing with rich crimson tones creates a sophisticated look that works beautifully for formal evening weddings.
If your wedding aesthetic leans luxurious and dramatic, a cake like this is the perfect centrepiece. The rich red florals add texture, depth, and a touch of old-world romance.
Vintage piping and rich red hues are having a major moment in the wedding world. This cake feels playful, nostalgic and effortlessly chic — ideal for couples embracing a retro-inspired aesthetic.
Soft detailing paired with striking red blooms creates a cake that feels both romantic and timeless. It’s the kind of design that photographs beautifully from every angle.
Deep reds and darker accents make this style perfect for cooler-season weddings. It feels moody, luxurious and incredibly elegant without losing its romantic charm.
If bright red feels too bold, ombré shades are a beautiful alternative. The gradient effect softens the overall look while still bringing in that passionate pop of colour.
For couples who want their cake to double as décor, this striking design delivers. Rich red detailing instantly draws the eye and creates a memorable reception moment.
Whether you prefer something dramatic and fashion-forward or soft and romantic, red wedding cakes are a beautiful way to add personality to your reception. From deep burgundy florals to vintage-inspired piping, these bold designs prove that red can be both timeless and modern when styled thoughtfully.
If you’re looking to make a statement on your wedding day, a red wedding cake might just be the sweetest way to do it.
There is a unique sense of nostalgia and class connected to a vintage look. It allows us to revel in the past and bring to light the unique aspects of times come and gone that we love.
A big upside of vintage wedding touches is that they are very affordable and appear far more expensive than they actually are. If you know where to look, you can steal yourself vintage items to add a splash of old-world glamour to your day without breaking the bank.
Plates and other crockery items can wrack up a huge bill. Scooping up some cute bargain items from your local vintage store can make a significant financial difference.
Finding matching items may be a bit of a challenge but a miss-matched collection of plates or glasses of a similar style ensure originality and add a touch of the unusual to your wedding tables.
A wedding dress can set you back a few bucks for sure, but a vintage upcycled option can save you thousands.
Opting for a vintage ensemble not only ensures that your dress will be the only of its kind but also allows you to add your own touch to the dress with inspiration from its class style.
Plus, you’ll be saving enough money to put a little extra towards your honeymoon.
Rings don’t have to be the latest fashion or a huge chunk of a diamond. For grooms and brides who prefer the simpler things in life and are looking to honour their love for vintage style, a re-purchased set of rings is a great option.
While you won’t be spending as much as you would on a brand new diamond ring, vintage jewellery is in no way a cheap option.
Some unique antique pieces can set you back a hefty sum but there is also the option to go for new age vintage-inspired pieces as well.
Wherever you buy your pieces, make sure you trust your seller and you’re getting the piece you’re paying for.
The bride can tie the whole theme together with a little vintage beauty. Vintage hairstyles have a flawless and classic look that will age well in your wedding pictures for years to come.
Add a vintage makeup look and beauty details that reference your favourite years gone by and you’re all set.
The ultimate vintage vibe can be invoked with a classic yet stunning cake.
From light layers dusted with cane sugar to flower topped sponge delights, add your personal touch to your cake with a vintage twist to bring the whole theme together.
There are many ingredients that make a wedding day special – and as the type-A personality planner knows, each one has been thought, jotted down and researched to the nine. The metaphorical cherry of a gorgeous day, of course, goes on top of the cake. The wedding cake might seem to the onlooker as a minor detail, but it is the creme-de-la-creme part of the loving celebration that says ‘I can have my cake and eat it too.’
In 2022, the world of wedding cakes considers itself as part of the more imaginative eras of love.
The pandemic played its tune of course, as lockdown encouraged many to tap into more creative styles and baking wonders.
Here are 9 wedding cake trends we can’t wait to take a bite of in 2022:
Pearls can truly dress up any aesthetic – from veils to icing finishes. Glistening white sugar pearls are set to grace many weddings in 2022, and the best part is that they go with any icing colour. Whether they are dotted along the various tiers, crisscrossed or used to dote the centre of a pressed or frosted flower bud, sugar pearls are a luxurious finish to play up or epitomise your wedding.
Upon hearing the term ‘Bas Relief’ you’d be forgiven for wondering if your cake will have anything to do with the art of sculpting – as this artistic technique is where the term is borrowed from. As it is in the world of sculpting, bas relief refers to a pattern raised or projected from its surface. The technique makes for fabulous intricate designs and is the perfect ode to Roman art in centuries gone by. If you have a flair for ancient art styles and want to bring that same artistic energy to your wedding, this is the perfect cake trend to get excited about. Pro tip: The technique is most effective when the detailing and the icing are the same colour.
If you are someone who carries crystals around at any given time, you’ll definitely be on the right path with Geode Wedding Cakes. Create the illusion of rock formations with hidden gems inside – namely candy crystals that you can eat. Geode wedding cakes are one of the more unique cake trends to try, but the effort of such intricacy on a special day is always worth it. Not sure which gemstone to mimic? Rose Quartz are the gemstones most linked to love, and the baby pink hues will certainly be a show stopper.
Sometimes less is far more lovely than more. The small wedding cake trend hopped onto the scene last year when many people opted not to postpone grand ceremonies, but to turn them into micro-weddings. It’s all the glamour, just on a smaller scale. Singl or double-tier wedding cakes are an ideal choice for the happy couple looking to actually finish their wedding cake – making it a top-tier choice for smaller weddings. The best part about small wedding cakes is that more effort can go into the design.
Fairytale wedding dreamers or those wishing for a garden wedding will love the pressed florals trend that has continued to remain popular throughout time. Simple and gorgeous, pressed flower wedding cakes can give either bohemian or luxurious energy, depending on the flower choices. For a bohemian feel, try pressed daisies, while if you want something a little more suave, try lavender assortments.
They say that transparency is fundamental for any relationship, and so it comes as little surprise that translucent isomalt designs are on the rise in the era focused on communication in relationships. Isomalt is a medium that is often used to create clear art for cakes in a divine, sugary way. The cakes are art themselves, and the pale colour choices make for gorgeous colour blocking if you really want your wedding to be an extension of your bright personalities.
What about a wedding where everyone can have their own individual wedding cake? The mini-cakes trend is one of the most creative ways to limit contact and truly share the love. Whether you opt for individual cakes per table or for a cupcake assortment, this is the perfect way to ‘let them eat cake.’
Impressionist Detailing
Cynzcakes
The impressionst artistic era is easily one of the most bespoke in art. And now, the era of monet can feature on your special day. What does art taste like? Well, you’ll surely find out. The abstract-esque nature of these wedding cake creations is all-too delicious for a non-traditional wedding where creativity reigns.
Drip cakes have been on the rise in popularity and endorsed by the likes of Martha Steward. Dressed in fun, its the perfect design that can be coupled with most others – from pearls to flower arrangements. These are some of the sweetest wedding cake designs hot in the wedding world right now and are well suited for the fun-loving couple who believe that cake should look like a dessert and not a sculpture.
Not all couples want to have a classic white wedding. Some prefer to show their true colours, and one of the options for music lovers is to have a punk-themed wedding to reflect their anarchist tastes.
Punk is defined by the DIY zeitgeist, and materials associated with this include denim, leather and tartan. Think brides in Doc martins, visible tattoos and piercings, brightly-coloured hair and grooms in leather jackets. There is also a laizé faire attitude with those who love the punk lifestyle, so don’t expect the reception to be a prim and proper event.
See below for some certified punk wedding inspiration:
Steampunk is a subset of science fiction that successfully marries retro-future design sensibilities with the alternative. It poses an alternate reality where the history of the 19th century Victorian era has modern machines that are powered by steam.
These stories were often set in dystopian London, but can also be the setting of your dream wedding. Think rich gold, bronze metal work and lots of leather (or faux leather, if you are so inclined).
Take a look below for some steampunk wedding inspo:
Flowers are a big part of a wedding day, whether its the bouquet or the flower arrangement, no special day would be the same without them.
For those who have a little extra love to spare for the blossoming beauties mother nature has to offer, you can also opt to add another flowery statement to your wedding through your cake.
Whether you go simple and elegant or all-out bold, a cake dressed in pretty petals is an unforgettable detail to add to your big day.
So if you’re looking for some floral inspiration here are a few cakes to dream of:
From simple design to styles with flair, this season sees wedding cake trends that flaunt colour, details and texture perfect for a summer wedding.
1. RUFFLED
Trends from the fashion world are making their way to the foodie scene, with ruffles giving cakes a lovely textured look that is unique. This look already creates a light and fluffy style that is simple and elegant and doesn’t need much more decorating.
2. A TRIO OF CAKES
Following Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding, couples are taking inspiration from their magnificent cake which sat in a trio instead of the usual tiered layer. This creates a slightly more casual look, but also allows for more variation. You can have three different styles and flavours!
3. NAKED
The naked cake trend continues to be a popular option for couples who want a more rustic theme for their big day. You can be playful with fillings and flavours and top it with fresh summer fruit to inject a bit of freshness
4. A TOUCH OF ART
Adding an artistic touch to your decor, theme and food is a big trend this year, and what better way to show your love for art than with a hand-painted wedding cake? With a simple tiered cake as your canvas and a few added details, you can have any kind of design to fit your style.
5. PUT A NAME ON IT
Another trend derived from a royal wedding is the newlywed’s initials placed on to the cake. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank had their initials monogrammed around the bottom tier of their cake, which has led couples to bring back this sentimental trend.
Wilna van der Westhuizen, owner of well known and much loved Sweet Cakes is a qualified chef and baker creating intricate, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. With clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, the Presidency of South Africa and foreign dignitaries under her belt, you know you’re in good hands.
Sweet Cakes creates wedding day masterpieces that reflect your style and taste. ‘I’m passionate about everything I do, focussing on tiny details – like a pretty broach or lace from a bride’s dress that she wants to incorporate,’ she says when WA chatted to her. ‘When I meet my clients for the first time and we discuss their wedding cake, it’s as if I’m designing a masterpiece of true form, the ideas just keep flowing.’
Based in the Western Cape, Wilna willingly travels to meet with clients and to deliver wedding cakes at various venues. Having been in the industry for 10 years, she remains inspired and passionate, gaining inspiration from anything from a pretty piece of fabric to a bracelet or ribbon (while Pinterest remains a great bearer of ideas).
