The multi-tiered wedding cake has come a long way since its inception under the reign of King Charles II, when a French chef created the complete tiered cake that we know today. Then reserved for the grandeur of royal events, it has now become a centerpiece staple to worldwide wedding celebrations - and an industry worth millions.
The symbolic stacking of bread, cakes and pies hung around for centuries, with baked goods historically being broken over the bride's head to ensure prosperity, fertility and a blessed marriage.
Fortunately, cakes and breads are no longer broken over anybody's head. In fact, the traditional white wedding cake, which went mainstream following the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 when sugar became cheaper, no longer reigns supreme when it comes to wedding table-top glory.
From platters of biscotti and brownies to cheese-wheels and pork pie rotundas - brides and grooms are increasingly opting for wedding cake alternatives. Here's a selection of ideas below.
Cupcakes
The most formidable challenger to the fruitcake’s status as default wedding cake. The cupcake tower became popular in the early 2000s, thanks to celebrities such as Katie Price, who had one at her vow renewal. They don’t always have to be sickly-cutesy, though; Pearl Lowe had impressively gothic black lace cupcakes at her 2008 wedding.
Cake pops
Tiny balls of cake served on the end of sticks have become something of a wedding fixture, if only for one reason: practicality. Knife-free cakes are “mess free, easy to eat and very fun”, says Laura Burkitt at Brides Magazine.
‘Cheese’ cake
According to the British Cheese Board, stacked wheels of cheese have been a popular alternative to the wedding cake for about a decade. Actor Stanley Tucci had cheese-as-cake at his wedding to Felicity Blunt, sister of Emily, in 2012. You can now buy one ready-made from British cheeses from M&S.
Croquembouche
A dizzying tower of French profiterole desserts held together with caramel, this is an alternative wedding cake that retains the height and wow factor of the traditional three tiers of icing. Madonna had one created by patissier Eric Lanlard at her 2000 wedding to Guy Ritchie.
Doughnut tower
A relatively recent import from America, a spire of deep-fried and sugared dough can be an essential ingredient of “pudding room” at the flashiest weddings. “It’s an easy way to say ‘We don’t take ourselves too seriously’,” says Mark Niemierko, the celebrity wedding planner. Krispy Kreme, the high-street doughnut chain, now offer specially designed wedding towers, as well as boxed doughnut favours for guests.
Macaroon tier
A big wedding trend for this year, the pretty macaroon tower is a more delicate alternative to tiered cupcakes and croquembouche. In a nod to groom Benjamin Millepied’s French heritage, Natalie Portman had vegan macarons at her 2012 wedding.
‘Naked’ cake
The latest in wedding-cake trends is to take rustic, homemade-looking layered sponges, and leave off the icing. “Piled with fresh fruit and edible flowers, they make the perfect dessert at a summer celebration,” says Burkitt. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt kickstarted the trend with their wedding last summer, with their 10-year-old son Pax making and decorating their naked cake.
Chocolate brownie stack
This dessert is assuringly square-shaped and squidgy, and a wonderful building block for any alternative wedding cake. Like the doughnut, the humble brownie is an American import that has risen in British baked-good rankings. It not only offers a double dosage of chocolate, but the opportunity to differentiate the brownies on show. Unless you are a brownie traditionalist, then consider fruits, nuts or biscuit additions. Delicious.
Pick 'n Mix
Perhaps foolish as much as it is fun - newlyweds have celebrated their big day with the ultimate sweet selection for the past decade. It's about as traditional as a cake, but is easier to organise and share. Many people opt for a cart or trolley filled to the brim with jars of bonbons, fudge chunks, white mice and more.
Tower of pies
After sponge cake rose to wedding-day prominence in the 19th century, the humble pie lost its spot as the de facto celebratory show-stopper. Today, many bakery businesses will build both fruit and meat-filled pies that impress everyone.
Biscuit selection
Think beyond supermarket custard creams or bourbons to fulfill sweet dreams if cake and the like are not your preferred sugar fix. Pack a tower with homemade - or bakery fresh - cookies of any and every kind. The simple chocolate chip cookie works wonders, as does the more sophisticated shortbread or cantuccini.