Cakes for Formal Events

Butter cakes serve as the first choice for a formal* wedding. They are either yellow or white in colour. Expect to place an order for a cake which is dense, durable and sturdy enough to take the weight of multiple-tiers once they have been stacked or towered atop each other.

When placing your butter cake order, ask the baker or caterer to use a solid filling to ensure that the cake stays in place. Suitable fillings range from butter cream, marzipan fondant, solid fruit curd or ganache.

FROSTING

The most suitable frosting for butter cakes is butter cream which is made from sugar and butter. Depending on the theme of your wedding, you can choose from a wide variety of flavours: orange, almond, strawberry, raspberry, grape, rose or vanilla.

Royal frosting is the traditional alternative. It is made from butter cream and fortified with meringue powder to stiffen it. It acts as a very solid base for heavy decorations such as ceramic statuettes for the top tier, bouquets of real flowers for decoration or frosted flowers.

Fondant is made from sugar, water, corn syrup and kneaded into a sturdy paste. Bakers and caterers usually mix in your favorite flavour and colour . This is then rolled out flat, fitted onto the cakes and trimmed. Fondant is also hard and sturdy enough to form into incredibly realistic flowers and ribbons.

Marzipan is another good choice to frost a butter wedding cake. Marzipan is made from almond paste, sugar and some corn syrup. It has a grainy texture and is also rolled out flat and fitted onto wedding cakes. Marzipan also works well for artificial flowers and is heat proof.

*A Formal wedding is attended by 200 guests or more and the ceremony is held before 5pm. The wedding reception is held in an elaborate banqueting hall in a hotel or manor house.

The brides gown is usually beaded, embroidered or an ornamental dress. It has a long cathedral or monarch train. It may either be long-sleeved, sleeveless or strapless. The bride may wear it with or without gloves. She may carry either a full bouquet or a flower trimmed prayer book;

The Groom and his attendants usually wear cutaway coats, grey stripped trousers, waistcoats, wing-collared shirts and ascots or striped ties;

Bridesmaids and usually 4 to 12 in number. They wear long dresses in evening wear style and can carry any style bouquets.

Mothers wear long or short dresses in either chiffon, lace, tafetta, crepe or silk satin;

Female guests can either wear short dresses or suits; Male guests wear suits.