Choosing a wedding cake used to mean picking between white tiers and, well, more white tiers. Not any more. Cake has become one of the most personal touches of a wedding — a chance to bring in colour, texture and even a bit of humour before the speeches start. Here’s what’s shaping cake choices this year, and how to land on the right one for you.
The trends worth knowing
Textured buttercream is having a real moment — think palette-knife swirls, rustic combing and hand-piped detail that looks intentionally imperfect. It photographs beautifully and sidesteps the pressure of a flawless fondant finish.
Fruit and floral drips have replaced the classic naked cake as the go-to for a relaxed, garden-party feel. Fresh berries, edible flowers or a soft caramel drip down the side add colour without overwhelming a simple sponge.
Colour-block tiers are for couples who want the cake to do some of the decorating. A single bold tier — sage, terracotta, dusty blue — sitting among plainer ones ties neatly into a wider colour scheme.
Separate dessert tables alongside a smaller “cutting cake” are increasingly common, letting guests choose between cake, doughnuts, or a cheese “cake” tower for the less sweet-toothed among the guest list.
Choosing what’s right for you
Start with your venue and season before your Pinterest board — a delicate buttercream finish won’t hold in a hot marquee in July, and some venues have rules about outside caterers supplying cake. Book a tasting early; good cake makers get booked up 9–12 months out, often before the rest of your suppliers.
Budget-wise, a good rule of thumb is £4–£8 per slice depending on design complexity, though a smaller “display” cake with a larger sheet cake kept in the kitchen can bring costs down without anyone noticing at the table.
Whatever you land on, the cake doesn’t need to match everything else exactly — a little contrast against your stationery and decor can make it stand out as its own moment in the day, rather than blending into the background.
If you’re still working through the bigger decisions, our DIY Wedding Décor guide covers how to tie your colour palette together across the whole day, and our Wedding Planning Timeline tells you exactly when to book your cake maker relative to everything else on the list.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
The Big Day Bulletin exists to make this process feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Whether you’re at the very beginning like right now, or knee deep in seating plans and supplier emails, we’ve got guides, ideas, and honest advice for every stage. Browse the blog, bookmark what’s useful, and come back whenever you need it.
Found this helpful? Save it to Pinterest so you can find it again when you need it – or share it with a newly engaged friend who could do with a calm, sensible starting point.