Planning a wedding is all about details. From choosing the perfect dress to deciding on a venue, dialing in details both large and small is key to creating the day of your dreams. The cake itself serves a dual function both as a visually stunning focal point of the reception and as a sweet finish to your guests’ meal.
No matter what style you’re dreaming of, preparation and communication is key to finding the best cake decorator for you. “Knowing your budget, how many people you expect and having some ideas around color and inspirational photos ready is very helpful,” said Julie Shuler, who owns The Cake Shoppe, 449 N. Walnut Ave., in Springfield.
She also encourages couples to be flexible. “Weddings are getting bigger again with more guests, and with rising costs it’s hard on couples’ budgets. Knowing what you’re willing to spend is important.”
Scheduling a tasting in advance is also paramount to ensure that there’s adequate time to go over all the details. Many bakers, including Shuler, offer tasting appointments at their shop either for no charge or a small fee.
Melanie Dineen has been decorating cakes at Incredibly Delicious in Springfield for more than two decades and noted that while in-person consultations are always an option, people don’t necessarily have to come in for a sit-down session.
“For our wedding cake tastings, we offer four flavors for $25, packaged to-go so you can take them home and taste them with whomever on your own time,” she said. Don’t be afraid to reach out over email, advised Dineen. “There’s a lot of details we can work out before folks even come into the bakery.”
Once the flavors are locked in, it’s time to decide on aesthetics. While timeless, ivory-hued cakes continue to be a popular choice, many couples are daring to go bold with vivid jewel tones or opting for ornate textures on cakes ranging from intimate, single-tier confections to grand displays.
Ornate piping
Shuler notes that there’s been a progression of trends over the 25 years that she’s been decorating cakes. “Back when I started decorating it was a lot of Lambeth-style piping: classic Victorian, shells, stingwork, ruffles. Then fondant was really popular for a while, but now people are really wanting ornate piping work and lots of texture again,” said Shuler.
Bold jewel tones
“Couples are branching out beyond the traditional white wedding cakes and really working with the whole color palette,” said Dineen. “These days we’re getting a lot of requests for really vibrant jewel tones, as well as softer tones in various hues. There’s a lot to offer beyond ivory.”
Metallic cakes
Couples increasingly are looking to metallics to up the glam factor throughout the reception, and cakes are no exception. Whether complimenting vibrantly hued frosting or delicate pastels, metallics are showing up on cakes in myriad ways. Metallic cake pearls ranging from silver to rose gold can be used as accents, as well as gold leaf and metallic bushwork.
Heart-shaped cakes
“The heart-shaped cakes are super popular right now,” Shuler said. Usually made in a single tier, this in-demand style evokes a romantic, vintage feel and is also a great option for couples who are looking to serve a gorgeous dessert while still staying within their budget.
“A tiered cake will generally cost twice the amount per serving – more than a single-tiered cake – so some people will order a single-tier cake and then order additional cupcakes or a sheet cake as part of a dessert display,” Shuler said.
Hand-painted cakes
“The hand-painted cakes are some of my favorites to make, and they’re still trending hard,” Dineen said. The watercolor-type designs can range from airy florals to striking geometric or ombre patterns, often in conjunction with fresh flowers. Dineen explained that the flowers themselves are provided by the client or the florist they’re working with. “There are some really skilled florists here in town. It’s always a joy to work with great florists and the beautiful things they come up with.”
Dessert bars
Dessert bars continue to be prevalent and are often served in conjunction with a classic wedding cake. Including a dessert bar, an excellent way to satisfy a variety of tastes, can also be an opportunity to add a personal touch to the menu.
“Our macarons continue to be a really popular choice for weddings,” said Dineen.
Friends and family often contribute to the dessert spread as well, Shuler said. “I have a lot of people who will order a smaller cake, and then they’ll also do a dessert bar with things like homemade cookies or brownies.” ”
Ashley Meyer is a writer, wine educator and chef living in Springfield. An avid baker but not the greatest decorator, she still manages to produce attractive cakes using fresh flowers and fruits.
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This article appears in The Wedding Issue 2025.
