Choosing a wedding cake

An old tradition says that the guest that finds a gold coin or symbolic trinket in his or her piece of wedding cake will have good luck or be the next to marry.

Ancient Indian brides (and some brides today) fed a piece of cake to their new husband as a sign of love (the meaning of cake on the face escapes me).

Roman brides had meal cakes broken over their heads to bring good luck, abundant wealth, and many children.

The tradition of an unmarried woman taking a piece of wedding cake home to put under her pillow and dream of her intended is said to come from an old British custom of providing guests with dry cracker cakes to keep them from being hungry on the long trek home.

Today's beautiful, multi-layered confections are certainly more colorful and flavorful. In fact, they are often true works of art, sometimes designed to represent "structures" or fanciful make believe. Ask friends and relatives for references. If you've attended an event and enjoyed the cake that was presented, ask where it came from.

Look through the many magazines to see what style appeals to you. Take that picture to the bakery (or caterer) to see what they can do and at what price. Of course, visit several cake providers to view their portfolio of cakes they've done for other people. When you do, along with asking the price, ask to taste several different samples.

The size of the cake and the number of tiers (layers or levels of the design) depends upon the size of your wedding, i.e., the number of guests. Shop for your cake at least 4 months before, if possible. Visit bakeries and specialty houses. Have an idea of what you want and are willing to spend before you visit.

Traditional cakes include: multi-tier, flat, fantasy, and more. Batters include yellow cake, white, lemon, chocolate, nut and cherry, combinations and more. Fillings and frostings come in most every flavor from traditional butter cream to strawberry. Add bells, flowers (sugar and real), lace look, and love birds. Create magnificent marzipan "sculptures." Include fountain, cross-over steps, bridges, decorations between raised layers and more.

Have what you want, but remember that your guests will be the ones eating most of the cake. You may want something exotic, and you should certainly have it, but have something they like it as well. And remember to save the top tier to be frozen and then brought out for your first anniversary.

Consider having a groom's cake - small, two-bite (or more) sized mini-cakes. They can be made from many different confections, but are usually a mixture of fruit bits, nuts and a tangy sweet cake. Groom's cakes should be placed artfully around the wedding cake, or on the hors d'oeuvres table, or above each guest's plate. The groom's cake is usually given out at the beginning of the reception. Sometimes they are placed on a table along with a rented champagne fountain to be given to arriving guests or at the end of a receiving line, if you have one at the reception location.

Place your wedding cake on a decorated table separate from the other foods and beverages. It (and the fountain for that matter) should be kept safely away from the dance floor. When it is time for the cake cutting ceremony, have your band sound the signal and ask guests to gather around. Be sure your photographer and videographer get the ceremony. After you and your new husband cut the cake, turn it over to the caterer or location staff. Let them cut the lower tiers into portions for your guest. These can be served to each person, or the emcee can let them know they are available and each person gets their own.

Remember to save the decorative cake top (usually the bride and groom) and the special cake knife your may purchase. Cake tops today are not just representation of the bride and groom, but are true art objects. Consider displaying it as part of your décor.

Special touches are often the most remembered moments. Whatever your dream is the traditional wish that goes with cake is still the same: let us break bread together and wish for each other happiness, love, and prosperity.