Ah the cake – without a doubt one of the best parts of the planning journey! So what’s in store for your beautiful tiers in 2018? We asked cake designers The Little Love Knot Bakery, Cakes by Lynn and Ibakecakes.ie which wedding cake trends will be making their mark in 2018. Here’s what they had to say…
The Little Love Knot Bakery – View Profile
Cakes and Cake Topper by The Little Love Knot Bakery
At The Little Love Knot Bakery I am starting to see a move towards more elaborate wedding cake designs where colour plays a pivotal role in the couples dream design. Colours are ranging from muted pinks, greys and blues to more dramatic colours such as navy, turquoise and even monochrome. Lustre and metallic finishes are very on trend this season. Soft cascades of sugar flowers such as roses and peonies are still very popular. I am also seeing a trend to more alternative wedding cake embellishments such as wafer paper or edible handpainting. When the couple decides on a more pared back design, both gold leaf and the addition of cake toppers are evident. There is a swing towards more realistic cake toppers and acrylic customised toppers are still proving popular. 2018 will be a fabulous year in wedding cakes with colour and lustres/metallics playing a large role.
Cakes by Lynn – View Profile
2018 brings with it some new wedding cake trends as well as maintaining some old. It brings with it the end of big hits like wedding cupcakes. There will be a shift in the demand for these. A classic, such as White-On-White remains popular. White textured fondant on top of clean white lines will always be a show-stopper. Some new entrants for 2018 include:
Cake by Kalablasa Bakery
Brush Stroke Cakes – Originally from Russia, these cakes are taking the wedding scene by storm. They can be as colourful as the heart desires. Using melted chocolates or candy melts and a brush, the stokes are allowed to set and are then placed onto a buttercream cake to create an artful masterpiece.
Photo by Jen Rutherford
Mirrored Cakes – As seen on ‘The Great British Bake Off’ these cakes are truly beautiful. As the name suggests these cakes are covered in an eye-catching shimmering glaze.
Cake by Cotton & Crumbs | Photo by We Are the Clarkes via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings
Art Inspired Cakes – Another trend coming on from last year, cakes where pictures are painted onto the fondant are truly works of art.
Cake by Cakes Rock | Photo by Sarah Goss Photography via 100 Layer Cake
Geode Cakes – Futuristic looking cakes, these are truly show stoppers. The ‘Geode’ is cut out of the cake and usually using a contrasting colour to bring the ‘Geode’ to life.
Cake by Cake Event Company | Photo by Lucy Munoz Photography via Rue Magazine
Drip Cakes – Another new modern trend, the drip cake allows melted chocolate, caramel or candy melts pour over the cake and sets where it falls. Looks good enough to eat.
Cake by Sweet Thought Cakes | Photo by Ali Paul via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings
Naked Cakes – Following on from last year, a naked/near-naked cake complements a rustic wedding perfectly. A naked cake strips the cake of all its complexity. It enables us to see the tiers and their filling without a thick buttercream or fondant covering. It is usually decorated using fresh flowers or fruit.
Classics such as the use of sugar flowers are also still en point. To save on expense, a large, single flower strategically placed on a perfectly fondanted cake can look striking.
Ibakecakes.ie – View Profile
Cake by Ibakecakes.ie
Cake by Sugarplum Cake Shop | Cake by Sweetlake Cakes | Cake by Black Cherry Cake Company
Trends will come and go, and what may be regarded as the height of fashion today can so easily be swamped with the newest, most exciting and different ideas of tomorrow! But there is a lingering style or trend that I feel is going to make a big comeback in 2018 and that is Steampunk! So you may ask what is this Steampunk thing? There are various definitions from sub-genres of science-fiction to Victorian fashion with industrial elements but to me Steampunk is a fantastic mix of colours, metallics, shapes, laces and leathers, elegance and a little bit of craziness all combining to produce a fabulous, eye-catching, fantasy-style wedding cake with such a wow factor.
There are no rules as to what colours are best, what cogs, wheels, clocks, pipework should be included – in fact these cakes can be personalised to the individual couples so easily and effectively. Victorian styled lace, brooches, top hats with bodice detail and fantasy flowers can be included to emphasise the feminine side, whereas muted browns, shiny coppers and silvers with the industrial elements of cogs, clocks and wheels can appeal to the more masculine tastes. The combinations are endless with one being more fabulous than another. If you’re looking for something different and want to think outside the box, why not try to design your own fantasy wedding cake, creating your favourite fictional story incorporating the Steampunk theme elements? We’d love to help you!!
Photo from Siobhan & Mark’s real wedding by IG Studio
