Key Takeaways
- Heart-shaped cakes bring romance and customization to your wedding, perfect for ceremonies on Valentine's Day.
- Vintage-inspired frosting paired with heart shapes can add elegance and a sentimental touch to your dessert table.
- Supplement a smaller heart-shaped cake with a dessert bar to ensure all guests enjoy a sweet treat.
Hearts are the quintessential symbol of love, which make them an apt decoration to incorporate into any part of your wedding day, whether that's your ceremony, reception, or after-party. While there are endless ways to embrace this romantic shape throughout your décor and details, one extremely popular option is serving a heart-shaped cake for dessert. This trending wedding cake style typically consists of a single tier in the shape of a heart that’s embellished with Lambeth piping, producing a vintage-inspired look reminiscent of the 18th century, but that's far from your only option.
According to wedding cake designer Heather Anne Leavitt, these nostalgic, playful designs are a big hit with couples due to the resurgence of retro nuptials and film photography (the latter enhances the wistful feel of the dessert). With their vintage look, heart-shaped cakes are perfect for old-school affairs or for anyone who wants to add a touch of sentimentality to their celebration. And the heart shape lends itself to romantic aesthetics or functions that fall on or near Valentine’s Day.
Meet the Expert
Heather Anne Leavitt is a cake designer and the owner of Sweet Heather Anne, a wedding bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While heart-shaped cakes are often all-white confections engraved with “Just married,” the design can be as creative as you want. For instance, choose a multi-colored confection, opt for multiple tiers, embrace maximalist piping, decorate each tier with cherries, or monogram your initials. The flavors of your cake and its filling also provide an opportunity to think outside of the box and make an impression, whether it’s citrus olive oil with blood orange curd and citrus praline buttercream or lemon cake with lemon lavender buttercream, per Leavitt. The presentation of your post-dinner treat will add further customization and maintain a level of cohesiveness, such as displaying the sweet on a lucite stand for a modern soirée or scattering fresh flowers around your cake table for a garden fête.
Since these sweet treats are usually smaller in size, they probably won’t be able to accommodate your entire guest list. That’s why Leavitt recommends supplementing a heart-shaped cake with a dessert bar or designating it as your cutting cake before your kitchen staff serves from a larger sheet cake.
If you’re thinking about embracing this trend at your reception, we’ve rounded up 30 gorgeous heart-shaped wedding cake ideas to inspire your own.
01 of 30
Decorate With Bows
Photo by Simply Adri
Heart-shaped wedding cakes are trending, but so are bow details, so consider combining two of the season's hottest big-day trends for an ultra memorable confection. For their modern wedding in California, one couple asked Nicole Bakes Cakes to decorate their two-tiered dessert with black bows, and the contrast took the cake's design to a whole new level.
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Make It More Romantic With a Cake Meadow
Photo by MC Weddings
If you love the look of a simple heart-shaped wedding cake, there's no need to add anything extra. Instead, consider decorating around your dessert. This all-white treat, which featured "Just Married" in script on the top of the cake, was arranged inside a meadow of flowers to statement-making effect.
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Keep It Classic
Photo by Logan Cole
For their Palm Springs nuptials, which had a retro theme, a vintage-looking heart-shaped wedding cake was practically a requirement for this couple. Over the Rainbow Dessert whipped up a single-tiered option decorated with ornate white buttercream, and though it was small, it certainly stood out on the dessert table.
05 of 30
Stack the Tiers
Photo by Damien Milan
Who says you can't have a tiered heart-shaped cake? As evidenced by this two-tiered treat, which was further decorated with bright red cherries and ornate buttercream details, it's absolutely possible to work with your baker on a larger heart-shaped dessert.
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Keep It Simple With a Script Message
Photo by MC Weddings
Clean and simple wedding cakes can be just as eye-catching as their more ornate counterparts. Case in point? This petite heart-shaped treat, which featured "Just Married" in script writing and a frosted border—beyond that, the entire treat was finished in smooth, white buttercream for a clean look.
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Pair It With Fresh Flowers
Photo by Sophie Epton
Struggling to pick between a heart-shaped wedding cake and one decorated with fresh flowers? Here's some good news: You don't have to select just one of those ideas. At this pastel-hued wedding in California, the couple asked Alessia Patisserie & Cafe to create a heart-shaped wedding cake with vintage-inspired frosting, then accent it with a spray of blooms in the day's color palette.
08 of 30
Create Dimension With Colored Writing
Photo by Elle Studios
If you're planning to serve an all-white heart-shaped wedding cake, consider adding a little dimension with a colorful message on top. While "Just Married" in black is certainly an option, you could also consider your initials, custom crest, or new last name in your celebration's signature hue.
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Go for a Royal-Inspired Look
Photo by Leydon Photography
If you want your cake to make a statement, draw inspiration from your favorite royal wedding desserts. Layers of thick, ornamental frosting take any cake—heart-shaped or otherwise—to a new level. Our editors love how much dimension the vintage-inspired icing details add to this heart-shaped dessert.
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Stick With a Classic Look
Photo by Lara Martins for LILA Cake Shop
While there are countless ways to customize this trend, you can never go wrong with the original Lambeth-style heart cake: an all-white design engulfed in intricate piping. The monochromatic look is clean, sophisticated, and extremely versatile. With a neutral base, the 3D iced details will take center stage and command everyone’s attention.
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Trim It With Cherries
Photo by The Shalom Imaginative
Maraschino cherries are a common decoration for Lambeth-style cakes, including heart-shaped ones. The bright red fruit reinforces the nostalgia factor and adds a fun pop of color to your confection. Border the perimeter of your singular tier with the sweet garnish, whether you want a sprinkling or a bevy.
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Opt for Two Tiers
Photo by Justine Milton
Heart-shaped cakes are often one tier, but why not stack multiple layers on top of each other for a grand, extra romantic display? To emphasize the height of a two-tier cake, settle on minimal piping. If you’re completing your romantic dessert with “Just married” verbiage, block letters are ideal for modern affairs.
13 of 30
Incorporate a Moody Touch
Photo by Vanessa Todd
One heart cake idea for edgy couples or gothic wedding themes is stamping your dessert with “‘Til death do us part” in black icing. The phrase itself will elicit an ominous air, and the dark hue will add a moody touch to an otherwise light, airy treat. Although this line typically conjures up images of skulls and skeletons, it’s also part of traditional vows, making it a suitable choice for any style affair.
14 of 30
Engrave Your Initials
Photo Courtesy of Crumbs Cake Studio
Since your wedding day marks the union of you and your partner, monogramming the top tier with your joint initials is a celebratory way to represent the special act of marriage. By etching the confection with your first initial and that of your significant other, the personal flair will make your dessert—and the rest of your reception—even more meaningful.
15 of 30
Add Thematic Accents
Photo by Sealed With a Kiss
A heart-shaped wedding cake is statement-making all on its own, but that doesn't mean you can't include other thematic accents. Disco balls, as seen on this petite dessert, called back to other elements of the couple's celebration; you could add a similar motif in the form of anything you like—tennis balls, butterflies, fresh flowers, you name it!
16 of 30
Serve a Bountiful Spread
Photo by LaLa Economides for Cakes by LaLa
Who says you have to stick with just one heart-shaped cake at your wedding reception? If you’re hoping to make a splash at your post-ceremony party or you simply have a big sweet tooth, serve an abundance of these romantic, vintage confections. The conglomeration of cakes—especially if they’re painted in a bright color—will enhance the day’s décor and create a photo-worthy spread. Plus, you won’t have to worry about ordering another dessert to feed the crowd.
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Showcase Your Personality
Photo by Rachel Artime
No matter the shape or size, wedding cakes give couples the opportunity to showcase their personality. For a heart cake idea that demonstrates your sense of humor, consider choosing a message that mimics your daily dialect. For instance, piping “Married AF” onto your treat will give your reception a conversational, laid-back feel.
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Select a Petite Size
Photo by Kanoa Photography
Because heart-shaped cakes are almost always adorned with dazzling piping, a petite size will still make a big impact. Serving a miniature confection is best for those who have a lineup of additional desserts on deck, so everyone has the option of getting their sugar fix.
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Embellish With Floral Art
Photo by Mandee Johnson Photography
For garden settings and aesthetics, piped blossoms will bring a lush, complementary edge to your heart-shaped wedding cake. Fill these flowers with a hue from your palette to aid in a cohesive story and add a splash of color. Red buds paired with red cherries will provide a coordinated look and augment the retro ambiance.
20 of 30
Wrap It In Ribbons
Photo by Taylor D. Higgins
Used as decoration, bows will embed a soft, delicate flair into your vintage wedding cake. And if you choose ribbons with a satin finish, your treat will radiate opulence, perfect for a glamorous affair. Tie these bits of fabric around the perimeter of your confection to create a quasi-border.
21 of 30
Embrace Minimalism
Photo by Madeline Rose
With a minimalist design, the heart shape will truly shine. Instead of concealing the structure by dousing it in icing, choose a simple border, topped with a message that announces your new relationship status. A no-frills look is ideal for unfussy couples and effortless weddings.
22 of 30
Establish a Recurring Motif
Photo by The Shalom Imaginative
Make hearts a recurring motif at your wedding—or at least your cake table. In addition to serving a heart-shaped dessert, decorate each tier with heart designs and serve each slice on a heart-shaped plate, along with a napkin featuring a heart illustration. This heart cake idea is a strong candidate for Valentine’s Day weddings, especially if you stick with a red-and-pink color palette.
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Create Contrast
Photo by Shaleena Danielle
If you’re thinking about a white Lambeth-style cake, adding black details will create an interesting juxtaposition. A black-and-white confection will suit both classic and contemporary affairs alike, exuding sophistication and elegance.
24 of 30
Paint It in Pink
Photo by Moments by Moriel
For wedding color palettes that include pink as a primary hue, one heart cake idea is covering the treat in pink icing. The rosy hue will look especially romantic on a heart-shaped confection. You can even add white details for contrast.
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Display It on a Rustic Stand
Photo by Kim Hymes Photography
Tying the knot in a barn or at a farm, complete with a homey, relaxed atmosphere? Serve your heart-shaped cake on a wooden cake stand. Because exposed wood is a hallmark of rustic weddings, including this accent at your reception will tie your theme together.
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Scatter Fresh Flowers
Photo by The Shalom Imaginative
Instead of trimming the surface of your treat with flowers, another heart cake idea is dispersing fresh blooms around your cake stand and cake table. Select blossoms that are in season for a complementary and cost-effective decoration, such as garden roses in the summer or sunflowers in the fall.
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Adorn It With Pearls
Photo by Alex Michele Photos
Like Lambeth designs, pearls have an old-fashioned, classic appeal. To boost the vintage effect of a heart-shaped cake, add pearlescent accents to your piping. These sophisticated beads will complement the white icing and add a slight glow.
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Choose an Elaborate Design
Photo by Blair Gutierrez for Velvet Valley Cakes
The design of your heart-themed wedding cake can be as elaborate as you’d like. To go all out, have your cake designer layer several tiers and engulf every facet in thick piping. For an even more striking effect, especially at garden or nature-focused nuptials, have the professional pipe flowers across the canvas and complete the design with fresh blooms.
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Dust It With Sparkles
Photo by Keri Lynne Photography
To make your heart-shaped cake glimmer, ask your cake designer to sprinkle a dusting of edible sparkles on top. For a more subdued incorporation, garnishing the sweet with a handful of glistening cherries will also do the trick.
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Prioritize Bold Colors
Photo by Taylor D. Higgins
Although white fondant is the norm for heart-shaped cakes, there isn’t a rule that prohibits you from painting your treat in bright, hold hues. In fact, a colorful confection will stand apart from the crowd, making a lasting impression on your guests. For weddings with boisterous color palettes, a technicolor dessert that mixes purple, red, and blue, for example, will round off your aesthetic and play up the vibrancy.
