No two weddings are completely alike. However, while your guest list, gown, and signature cocktail may be unique to you and your partner, you may decide to adhere to some of the common customs associated with the occasion, such as the toasts, first dances, and, of course, the cake. Yet even though many brides and grooms still incorporate a sweet treat into their reception, some are choosing to put their own spin on the classic tradition by embracing trend-forward confections that are truly showstopping.
There are a number of different ways to make your wedding cake unique. Maybe you decide to create a dome-shaped confection, opting for your celebratory dessert to take on an unconventional shape. Or perhaps you and your partner turn to the past when searching for inspiration for your sweet treat, ordering an ornate, vintage-inspired cake with Lambeth piping. Ultimately, the design you choose will depend on a number of factors, including your venue, aesthetic, and budget. Yet if you find yourself seeking an over-the-top creation that’s guaranteed to impress your guests, consider a tower cake.
Tower cakes are defined by their many tiers. Instead of having just one or two rounds, these confections may have eight—or even 10. However, before you decide on this impressive dessert for your big day, there are a few important factors to consider. Below, an expert breaks down what to know about this wedding cake trend, as well as 11 examples from real couples for inspiration. Read on for more.
What Is a Tower Cake?
While most wedding cakes are comprised of three or four tiers—enough to feed 100 to 120 people—a tower cake typically includes five to eight tiers, says Nicole Redd-McIntosh, the owner of Nicole Bakes Cakes. (And in some cases, such a confection may have even more rounds.) For most couples, the appeal of an extra-tall cake is simple: They make a statement. Redd-McIntosh agrees with this sentiment. “The drama,” she says. “That’s the only real reason to have a cake this tall!”
Tower Cakes: 3 Key Factors to Consider
While it may not be the most important decision of the wedding-planning process, selecting your cake can still be a stressful task. With so many innovative designs and flavors available, knowing what will work best for you, your partner, and your celebration can be a challenge. Here, the experts break down what to think about when considering a tower cake for your nuptials.
They’re Expensive
While most cake designs can be scaled to fit any number of tiers, the theatricality of a tower cake lends itself especially well to elaborate details, lush floral garlands, and intricate icing techniques. “Understand that these types of cakes come with a cost—they are not a cost-effective choice if you have a lower budget,” says Redd-McIntosh.
They Take Longer to Construct
Due to the impressive height of such a confection, your baker will need to ensure that your dessert won’t topple over. To this end, the construction of the cake can take much longer than it would for a one- or two-tier creation. “Give your baker extra time to set up the cake, and have a ladder available if possible,” Redd-McIntosh recommends.
You May Need Additional Cake
The size of such a creation can be deceiving. While you may assume that a confection with this many tiers is guaranteed to feed all of your guests, the reality is a bit different. “Most of the cake will be faux for structure reasons, which could have extra costs; you will also then need kitchen sheet cakes to feed the rest of the guests cake,” Redd-McIntosh says.
11 Tower Cakes for Inspiration
While tower cakes may require a bit more of your budget and your baker’s time, if you’re set on having an impressive dessert, this type of confection is the perfect choice. Searching for inspiration before placing an order? Here, we’ve compiled 11 tower cakes from real weddings to give you just that.
01 of 11
An All-White Creation Inspired by "Alice in Wonderland"
Photo by Sara Beth Turner
The whimsical decorations at this couple’s Alice in Wonderland-themed reception included dramatic interior draping, overhead floral installations, and an eight-tier tower cake from Sarah’s Cake Shop, adorned with a cascade of white flowers. However, in addition to the impressive confection, each guest also received a personal, four-inch round cake with the couple’s monogram.
03 of 11
A Seven-Tier Tower Cake Adorned With Florals
Photo by Cedar & Pines
Suspended lanterns, glittering disco balls, and thousands of candles turned this bride and groom’s destination venue into a magical reception space. A seven-tier tower cake from Glacée, decorated with flowers that mimicked the Italian lace on the bride’s gown, rose into the starry sky.
04 of 11
A Nine-Foot-Tall Barbie-Inspired Creation
Photo by Hannah Miller Photography
Subtle blush accents throughout this couple’s Barbie-themed wedding ceremony in Alabama previewed the bolder shades that covered their reception space. The color palette extended to the couple’s nine-foot-tall dessert from Barb’s Cakes; the confection was infused with pink Champagne, filled with strawberry mousse, and decorated in blooms that matched the floral arrangements.
05 of 11
A Wave-Inspired Tower Cake With Six Tiers
Photo by Erika Delgado Photography
A navy-and-ivory color scheme brought this bride and groom’s New York-chic style to the coastal opulence of The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. A tall, six-tier cake echoed the height of the soaring floral arrangements (and even stood taller than the bride), while fluted, wave-inspired detailing pulled guests’ eyes upward.
06 of 11
Floating Tiers Surrounded By White Leaves
Photo by Jose Villa
The luxurious, more-is-more vibe at this couple’s California wedding included a five-tier cake from The Butter End, with each layer set on its own acrylic stand—giving the illusion of a floating dessert surrounded by breeze-blown leaves. The display allowed the couple to choose a trio of flavors: blueberry walnut cake with sweet lemon buttercream, carrot cake with walnuts and cream cheese frosting, and chocolate chip cake with vanilla bean buttercream.
07 of 11
An All-White Tower Cake With Ivory Roses
Photo by Megan Kay Photography
This couple capped off their blue-and-white beach wedding in Mexico with a five-tier red velvet cake constructed from asymmetrical layers. For a finishing touch, they decorated the confection with a garland of ivory roses that coordinated with the other floral elements throughout their celebration.
09 of 11
A Confection That Coordinated With One Bride's Gown
Photo by Second Shot Photography
For their wedding at the Four Seasons Atlanta, this couple chose an “upscale” and “luxurious” aesthetic anchored by a color palette of white, gold, and emerald. The lavish reception included an eight-tier red velvet wedding cake embellished with sparkling accents, which coordinated perfectly with one bride’s Swarovski-crystal-trimmed gown, and flawless white and yellow blooms.
10 of 11
A Forest-Inspired Tower Cake in Sage Green
Photo by Lukas Korynta
An “indoor enchanted forest” vision informed this duo’s Indian-Italian reception in Lake Tahoe, where a sage-colored cake from The Ritz-Carlton was placed on a rustic wooden stand. Five tall tiers of Bailey’s double fudge chocolate were covered in vanilla buttercream, painted with emerald leaves, and studded with delicate flowers.
11 of 11
A Tower Confection in a Cake Meadow
Photo by Lance Nicoll
This bride and groom looked to the sky for inspiration when planning their Texas Hill Country wedding, choosing a sunset-toned palette for their vibrant floral arrangements. They carried this vision into their dessert selection, opting for a five-tier amaretto confection, made by Polkadots Bakery, which was displayed in the center of a cake meadow.
