I’m always surprised when people see some of my non-traditional wedding cakes and ask, as if in secret, “Do people really choose those for weddings?” Perhaps the Texan in me shouldn’t be so surprised, as we in the South have a harder time than most parting ways with long-standing tradition, but the creative in me continues to be left aghast. Cakes after all, are just as creative an expression of style and sentiment as floral, attire, paper and location. While the towering white on white embellished bridal cake will always have an iconic place in wedding history, it’s the new, the different, the perfectly unique that continue to charm and excite. But you don’t have to take my word for it — you can read for yourself in the pages of Vogue. The trendsetting mag’s Aussie outpost recently covered the ever-changing wedding cake trend in their March issue. I’d love to share a little bit of their piece on the history of the wedding cake — I think you will surprised to find out that what we think of as classic and traditional isn’t quite so. Perhaps it will give you that push of perspective to design a cake with fearless abandon, or even some ideas for a new take on the cake tradition…who’s up for a cake fight?

“The history of wedding cakes (like a lot of customs that began in the Roman Empire) is quite odd. The groom originally broke the (bread-like) cake over the bride’s head as a symbol of his dominance in the marriage.”

“During medieval times cakes were thrown at brides as a sign of fertility.”

“Later on in history the happy couple would kiss over a towering pile of baked goods – if the tower remained steady, wedded bliss would be guaranteed (this is where the idea for croquembouche came from).”

Doughnuts have made a big culinary comeback in the past few years – popping up on the menus of celebrated chefs across the country – so it’s only natural that we would see that trend reflected in weddings that are after something fun, hip and unique. And if you think doughnuts are only an option for the quirky statement brides, take a look at some of these ideas and think again! You may have heard it said that, “doughnuts are the new cupcake” because like cupcakes, doughnuts offer a simple (and oh so tasty) canvas for bakers to infuse with color and flavor. While a whimsical tower of pink glaze and sprinkles might appeal to the funky bride, a romantic foodie type might opt for an assortment of earl grey and lavender dotted with fresh flowers. The party possibilities are as endless as your creativity! From doughnut cakes to doughnut-themed favors, here are some ideas that cover every sweet ounce of your doughnut affair:

The Doughnut Dessert Bar:

You don’t have to limit your desserts to just doughnuts. Mix it up with doughnut-inspired sweets like doughnut macarons and cupcakes!

Doughnut Cakes for events of all styles:

Treat guests to doughnuts and milk or doughnuts and coffee at the end of the night for a sweet sendoff!

Or, forget the dessert table and hire a Donut Truck like Carpe Donut out of VA!

Donot (see what I did there?!) forget the favors! Send guests home with a little treat to welcome in the new day-baskets of donut holes are a chic and sweet idea:

Yum!

Sources: Scotch and Scones, One Love Photo, Peppermint Plum Photography, BHLDN, Realistic Wedding, Raspberri Cupcakes, Always with Butter, Revel, CakeWalk, Camille Styles, Carpe Donut, Gale Gand