Love That Cake Part 2

Tales of Old

This time we will be tackling tales of old. And how those tales have revolutionized our ways today in trends of the wedding cake and current traditions. I'll begin with some basic history, then traditions and superstitions, followed by inspirations/celebrity trends to shape our current view (Queen Victoria plays a large roll here) Off we go!

History

The history of the traditional wedding cake has so many origins, cultures, and stories. That just one wouldn't be the answer. Personally I find history to be so fascinating. It shaped our current culture and gives us so much to learn from and look forward to at the same time. History for wedding cake is no different.

“When the Romans invaded Britain in A.D. 43, many of their customs and traditions became part of British life. The Norman invasion of 1066 subsequently incorporated many French traditions into British life. Other changes came about due to increased trade and contact with Europe, but our present-day wedding traditions remain firmly rooted in the past.”... Wedding Cakes, A Slice of Gistory- Gastronomica.com

Let's go back in time. Say, the Roman Era and Medieval times! Now we have some debunked myths here thanks to the Author, J.C. Jeaffreson. You see, in his book Brides and Bridals (1872) J.C. Had stated that during the Roman Era, it was common for the “wedding cake” to be broken over the brides head to signify good fortune and fertility. He had also claimed that during the Medieval times, there were multiple cakes stacked up as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over signifying a successful and prosperous life together should they successfully perform the kiss.

Unfortunately, wedding cakes and frosting weren't exactly around or known in history until closer to the 16th century. Causing this information to not exactly be false, but misled.

“To be fair, it wasn’t uncommon for authors from the same period to imaginatively link events and items back to Ancient Roman times in an attempt to validate their significance.”... A factual History and Evolution of the Wedding Cake- Agnes de Sucre, Artisan Patisserie

As this Patisserie has shown, it's not uncommon for Authors to “lie” for validation. But in truth, that while yes, bread was broken over the bride's head during Roman times, it was technically nothing more than a biscuit. Similar situation with Medieval times, there is no valid proof that wedding cakes had actually existed then, the only assumption that can be made is of the feasts during the celebration of a marriage, it is considered the only platform during the evolution of the wedding cake.

Now back to more accurate history!

Originally, the wedding cake started as a “Bride's Pie”. This was originally made during the 17th century up until the early 19th century. This was served and all guests were expected to have a piece out of politeness. If not, it was seen as extremely rude and severe bad luck.

Now the "Bride's pie" was traditionally a fruit cake in which the bride would serve every guest there. Traditionally, the bride would place a glass ring in the middle of the cake, and the maiden who found the ring was next to marry.

However this tradition has slowly died out and was instead replaced by what is now the tossing of the bouquet. And the bride's pie will also change to pound cake with "white" icing.

Now let's move to the men, another reason the bride's cake were so popular was because of the meaning. Specifically due to the fertility. Married men back then needed to have plenty of children to ensure "strong blood and heritage"

Men also had their own cake as well. This was very well known as the "grooms cake" (see what I did there?!?)

The groom's cake was mainly observed during the Victorian era in England. And was slowly dying out. But it has resurfaced again and seems to mainly be seen in the more Southern areas of the United States. The grooms cake back then was mainly a dark liquor soaked fruit cake that was smaller than the bride's cake. The bride's cake was considered too light for masculinity.

Now the current groom's cake, while still not as popular. Can be any flavor and is often designed reflecting the groom's hobby or passion. Such as hunting, fishing, golf, etc... Usually it is used for rehearsal, an alternative flavor to have instead of the wedding cake. But most of the time, the groom's cake is cut up and is presented to an unmarried guest who then puts the slice under her pillow that night to dream of her "future spouse". A tradition that was also done back in the Victorian era as well.

Evolution

Eventually, the wedding cake becomes what we know and love now. So clearly things begin to change overtime. But how?

We can start with the topping... Frosting!

When the Bride's pie changed from a fruit cake, to a pound cake. Icing was placed on top. At the time, fine sugar was hard to come by. Causing the color to be considered of status and wealth. The whiter the frosting, the better off you are considered to be. Another sweeter cake that was used was the Banbury Cake. However, this is more to be considered a sweet bread/pastry than an actual cake.

Eventually white icing would become standard in almost all cakes as we know of today. During the marriage of Queen Victoria to her first cousin, Prince Albert in 1840, white frosting would receive it's "official" name change to "royal frosting." Due to the changed aspects of their wedding. In 1840, Queen Victoria would wear a white wedding dress, which at the time was extremely uncommon. As usually woman would simply wear their Sunday best. Because Queen Victoria was one of the most "heavily photographed" celebrities of the time. Many brides had taken the white dress and linked it with the white cake. Assuming the symbol of purity and virginity. And since then, we have had a white dress for our wedding gowns.

Along with the white wedding dress, Victoria had also had a tiered cake. Which was at the time also uncommon. This caused a rising trend in how wedding cakes are made.

Symbolism and Superstitions

A few key points to know.

Cake Cutting!

As stated previously, the bride originally was the one who would cut the cake and serve it to each individual guest. As time went on, there became more and more guests to attend the weddings. Because of this, it became harder for the bride to keep up with the serving and the groom would step in to help. From this, the bride and groom began to cut the first slice together and share a piece together before distributing slices to each guest. This tradition would signify the union and promise to forevermore provide for each other. Another symbolic meaning is it can be considered the first known task completed together as a married couple. Though some tend to argue this.

Cake Consumption!

When each guest had been given a slice of cake. It was considered rude and bad luck to not accept or eat the slice. One of the biggest reasons was because the consumption of cake was considered to ensure fertility for the bride and groom as larger families to ensure a strong heritage and bloodline was a must. To not accept a slice of cake. It was also considered bad luck not too. In some area's it was thought as if you were placing a curse on yourself and the married couple. (Though there is not enough factual data to support this, even as a superstition.

Sweet Dreams!

One of the most commonly known superstitions of wedding cakes, is for a maiden to take a slice home and place it under her pillow. There she will dream of her future spouse. A few variations of this story are that the bridesmaids specifically would be the ones to have a slice and dream. Along with the myth that they would place a piece (or crumbs) in their left stocking as well. But this specific one can only happen after it has been passed through the brides wedding ring.

Rings

A few traditions with wedding cakes would be the glass ring. When the bride's pie was still current, the bride would place a ring in the pie. And the maiden who found it would be next to marry. It eventually would die out and be replaced with the tossing of the bouquet.

Another use of the glass ring would be that the bride would place her ring inside the couples portion of cake. This signified acceptance of of the "proposal" for them.

Modern Times

A few traditions that are still know today would be the cutting of the cake, tiered cakes, layered cakes, royal frosting, and Croquembouche. Croquembouche came from the idea in the medieval times where cakes (breads/pastries) were stacked together for the couple to attempt a passionate kiss over. If successful, the couple were guaranteed and prosperous life. A pastry chef visiting at the time had decided to make Croquembouche as a result. Croquemboucheis still used in celebration today. Mainly in it's homeland of France.

The top tier of the cake has it's own tradition and is still done today. The top would be saved for couples to eat on their first anniversary nowadays. But back then it was primarily saved for within the first year. Primarily after the birth of a first child as celebration. So couples often wouldn't need to have another cake done again.

*Thank you for reading part 2 of this blog. I appreciate your support and love of learning!*