Cake trends for the bride and groom

But these days it's not as simple as going for a multi-layered, plain, white number with a miniature bridge and groom on top - there's a whole host of new types of cakes out there, from cupcakes to pork pie cakes or even those made of cheese. A look at some of this year’s hottest wedding cake trends and style put together to inspire you.

Pie Cake

Fruit cake, Victoria sponge, cheesecake and profiteroles have all been piled into towers to create wedding cakes. But there's a new contender to grace the top table: the pork pie cake.

For those looking for a more savoury option, Pork pie cakes are perfect for the centerpiece of the buffet. Alternatively, they're also great for the evening reception for the guests who may have missed the cutting of the cake in the day.

The meaty feast can be garnished with some fresh leaves, herbs, fruits and vegetables, and is perfect for a country wedding.

Super Modern

For the couples looking for something very contemporary, wedding cakes are becoming increasingly modern. For lovebirds looking for unique statements in elegance and simplicity, M&S's bauble chocolate wedding cake may be just the ticket.

Sleek and cool, the all-white offering comprises five chocolate cakes, smothered in chocolate ganache and chocolate icing, hand-finished with six tiers of sparkly white hoops and baubles.

Cheese Cake

If you're looking to make a visual statement and save yourself some pennies by combining your wedding cake with your cheese course, the cheese cake is the perfect option.

Like the pie cake, the cheese cake is perfect for a buffet style wedding reception and makes a great centre piece. Fresh sliced figs, green grapes, walnuts and pears are visually effective and they can be added to make a tasty accompaniment to cheese.

The cake can still be cut by the bride and groom and when partnered with bread, crackers and a dollop of chutney, and it will mop up the wine and keep energy levels up so your guests can dance all night long.

Metallic

Metallics, more specifically an art-deco, vintage Hollywood look, are very in vogue and can give classic cakes a contemporary edge. A metallic look is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its ability to adapt to any style; gold gives an opulent effect, while silver is much more fresh and modern.

If golds and silvers are too glitzy for your liking, a smattering of sparkle dusted over your cake will add a glamorous and decorative sheen without overpowering the whole design.

Naked Cakes

The traditional wedding cake is typically frosted with white icing, but if a new trend takes hold, it's about to get a serious make-under. More and more brides are opting to serve 'naked cakes' - pared-down creations that forgo an outer layer of buttercream so that the texture of the cake and the colors inside are put on show.

To add a bit of intrigue, the cakes are often decorated with flowers, fruits, pretzels, cookie crumbs and chocolate chips.

Thanks to their name, one might assume that naked cakes are less complicated than their frosted counterparts. But, in fact, their preparation takes quite a bit of skill.

Indeed, bakers need to pay more attention to the colours of the filling and the cake when making a naked cake, since they will have to look good together. The old saying, 'It's what's on the inside that counts' certainly applies here.

So whether you hate frosting or just love the rustic vibe of naked cakes, this bare confection is a happy medium.

Multiflavoured Layers

Many bride and grooms are cutting costs by skipping the dessert course and giving their guests a slice of cake for pudding instead. So, as well as looking great, wedding cakes now have to taste extra delicious too; that's where multiflavoured cakes come in. Not everyone likes sponge cake so you could opt for a lemon sponge tier, on top of a chocolate one, with a fruit layer added in too.

Chocolate

Chocoholics - and there's plenty of them around - are beginning to jump on the chocolate wedding cake tradition. Whether you opt for dark or white chocolate, there are plenty of melt-in-your-mouth choices for serving chocolate cake on your special day.

If you don't want a choc-tastic cake, you can opt for a sponge cake with chocolate frosting instead, or you can try a white chocolate cake garnished with sweet red fruits.

Ombre

Whether it's hair or nails, the ombre effect is having a real moment this year - and the trend has translated onto wedding cakes, too. Ombre cakes are the perfect option for indecisive couples who can't decide between a colour or flavour.

The multi-tonal sweet treats are ideal for showcasing your color scheme and adding an unexpected twist to your reception décor. The soft fading effect and merging of bold and pastel shades looks super chic - especially for a summer wedding.

Floral

When it comes to a wedding, you really can't go wrong with flowers - and the more edible, the better.

Brides can opt for edible flowers - rather than fresh, real ones from their bouquet - atop a cake.

Cupcakes

Cupcake wedding cakes are becoming increasingly popular because you can offer your guests a selection of flavours and presentations while making sure that each gets their very own sweet treat.

Whether it's all-butter sponge with vanilla frosting, all-butter sponge with raspberry frosting or chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate sauce, this option offers something to suit the tastes of all of your guests.

As well as tailored flavours, cupcakes and their casing can be decorated to match your wedding colour scheme and even be decorated with personal messages, names or pictures. Cupcake towers offer an extra sweet offering and you can use different coloured icing to incorporate your theme. If you want to create a dramatic effect without having a five-tiered cake, you could opt for one tier and place cupcakes on top.

Plus, guests can each take a cupcake home, so it doubles as a wedding favour.

All things bright and beautiful

The cake is the pinnacle of every bride's reception (as well as countless photo opportunities) so adding a hit colour is the perfect way to make a statement. Bold and bright cakes are having a moment this year and really create a visual impact and break up neutral colour schemes

A white wedding may be tradition but why not add a splash of colour via your cake?

The cake is the pinnacle of every bride's reception, and almost every guest snaps a photograph of it - especially during that all-important cake cutting moment - so adding a hit of colour is the perfect way to make a statement.

Buttercream

Thanks to the ability to easily flavour and colour buttercream, it's the go-to option for many brides and grooms. Buttercream, which is smooth in texture, spreads easily onto any cake and can be scattered with decorative flowers and glitter.

If you don't want to use buttercream on the outer layer of your cake, using it within each layer keeps it moist and flavoursome