Cotswold cake designer Toria Sefton takes us through ten tantalising and tasty trends for 2023
Weddings are big business, and the Cotswolds is now home to many of the country’s most attractive, sought-after venues of international fame. The pandemic has meant that we are all the more appreciative of being able to get together and celebrate in style, and couples today are willing to save up for months to afford the day of their dreams.
Social media gives infinite inspiration to draw from, and wedding cakes are no exception. The classic fruit cake is now in the shadow of more modern flavours, such as Biscoff or Cookies & Cream, and even the traditional tiered shape is often replaced with a tower of macaroons or cupcakes.
Toria from Toria Sefton Cakes – recommended supplier to some of Gloucestershire’s finest wedding venues, such as Sudeley Castle and The Great Tythe Barn, Tetbury – shares here her top 10 current wedding cake trends.
1. Edible pressed flowers
With sustainability being a huge trend and many florists using only seasonal flowers, cakes decorated with edible pressed flowers are bang on trend. Grown organically in the UK, edible flowers include pansies, cornflowers and salvias. These cakes always get such an amazing reaction from guests as they really are show-stopping works of art.
2. Baking on a broad canvas
Think painted watercolour finishes, palette knife textures, drippy icing and abstract sculptures of chocolate and isomalt. Cake designers such as London’s Alice & Rosa or Emma Page Cakes in Kent showcase this style on Instagram, and guests often ask for this style to be copied. Again, they draw lots of attention.
3. Bright and colourful
With so many having to be postponed – sometimes up to three times – there’s an extra level of excitement at many weddings at the moment. This sense of joy and celebration is often reflected in a cake design, with a real “wow!” factor with rich, vibrant colours. Continue the wow factor when you serve the cake with exciting and fun fillings. My most popular flavour is one called Tutti Frutti, which is a Victoria sponge baked with blueberries inside and fresh crushed raspberries sandwiched between the layers. It looks really fun when cut into.
4. Natural botanicals
Cakes inspired by nature are a huge trend that looks to be staying put. The popularity of indoor plants has spilled over to wedding cakes where ferns and even succulents can now be featured. Flowers that look freshly picked, such as bunches of gypsophila (or baby’s breath) complement the formal tiered shapes. Think green!
5. Free-from cakes
Whether the bride or groom is gluten intolerant, gluten free or vegan, such allergen-aware cakes are becoming increasingly popular. Nobody wants to be unable to eat their wedding cake or to ostracise guests, and thanks to baking developments over the last few years, gluten-free wedding cakes are now super tasty.
6. Minimalist
Truly unique and visually stunning, these cakes are classy, elegant and romantic. Bakers such as Jasmine Rae – voted Best Cake Maker in Los Angeles 2022 – will have a portfolio with cakes divided into sections such as “Atmosphere”, “Water” and “Blossoming” that are textural works of art, pushing the boundaries of traditional wedding cakes. Made from sugarpaste and ruffled rice paper, these cakes really do take centre stage.
7. Deep cakes
The depth of cakes has changed. Standard celebration cakes might be three inches deep, whereas now people want five or even six inches height for their wedding cakes, which give a nice formal, Victorian feel.
8. Minerals
In January 2016, Rachael Teufel, cake designer at Intricate Icings in Denver, Colorado, created one of the first geode cakes and posted it online. The image quickly went viral, launching a cake-decorating trend that continues today. Geode cakes look like rocks with a chunk ‘carved’ out to reveal “edible crystals” made out of painted rock candy.
9. Bijou cakes
As guest lists were slashed due to the pandemic, so too were the size of cakes, but this trend isn’t going anywhere. Couples have realised they don’t need to invite their neighbours they’ve never spoken to, and the trend for intimate, smaller weddings thrives. According to Toria, couples are opting for cakes of one or two tiers, but even though they are small, the designs will still pack a punch.
10. Vintage retro buttercream
These vintage cakes are made with buttercream frosting using traditional piping techniques that your Nan used to make. Think shells, frills and scrolls in a variety of colours, patterns and shapes, and you get this delightful on-trend style. Totally over the top and a lot of fun! ‘I love the vintage Victorian feel,’ says Toria, ‘and they’re really fun to decorate.’
Instagram: @toriaseftoncakes
