Wedding cake jewelry
An occasion for festivity, joy and anticipation, a wedding is full of traditions and rituals that serve to strengthen the bond between a man and woman. Inviting family and friends to partake of your happiness and to shower blessings on the couple is something that exists in practically all cultures. Under these circumstances, food and drink assume primary importance as far as welcoming the guests is concerned. There is no better way of celebrating a wedding than with sweets and a wedding cake is just perfect for such an event. Bedecked with ornaments and topped with festive figurines, usually a couple, a wedding cake depicts not only the union of two people but also the celebration connected with the event.
A most important adjunct of most Christian weddings, a wedding cake is a tradition that has been faithfully passed on through the centuries. In modern times, this has evolved into a multi-tiered cake decorated with icing, marzipan and fondant and topped with cake jewelry. This jewelry can be practically anything including monograms, statues, symbols and horseshoes.
History of the wedding cake :Going back to medieval age, the tradition of a wedding cake is still in vogue today. The origin of this romantic and sweet custom is a little obscure though there are a few stories or legends that might be true.
It was the custom during medieval times for all guests to bring a small cake to the wedding. All the cakes would be stacked one upon the other and the bride and groom kiss over the top of the pile of cakes. It is believed that this pile of cakes finally merged into one multi tiered cake.
Another legend states that the multi tiered design is inspired by the St. Bride?s Church in England, which has a tiered spire.
According to a Roman custom, cakes made of wheat were broken over the bride ?s head and it was good luck for the guests to eat the broken pieces.
Another custom from the 17th century also became a rage and remained till Victorian days. The wedding cake was broken into pieces and was passed through the bride ?s ring. These pieces were given to single female guests to put under their pillow just before going to sleep. It was believed that this would make you dream of your future husband.
Wedding Cake Jewelry :
Wedding cake toppers or wedding cake jewelry are ornaments that are used to decorate the cake and usually form the top layer of the cake. In fact, a wedding cake is not complete without these ornaments. Usually, this topper is in the form of a couple holding hands and dressed in wedding clothes portraying the couple getting married. This is the classic wedding cake topper and signifies togetherness. There are variations on this theme that have become popular. Today, practically anything and everything can be used to decorate the wedding cake. Today, these jewelry or toppers indicate common interests or passions. There can be a multitude of choices for a wedding cake topper, some of which are listed below.
Monograms depicting the initials of the bride and groom.
A model of the bride and groom. This can be made out of edible sugar paste or colored clay and modeled to resemble the couple.
Flowers ? either fresh or edible ones made out of sugar or marzipan. Silk flowers can also be used.
Teddy bears or other soft toys that are a favorite with the couple.
Themes depicting similar interests such as boating, skiing etc.
Themes reminiscing of good times.
Wedding bells, lovebirds, doves, hearts and other similar whimsical and romantic symbols can be used to give a good effect.
A model of your dream house on top of the cake is a novel idea.
Gold models. Many jewelers design various models in gold to be used as wedding cake toppers.
Crystal toppers. Swarovski has designed various wedding cake toppers in crystal. These are interesting and glamorous.
Simply anything and everything can be used to serve as a wedding cake topper. You only have to exercise your imagination and let it run free. Consult family and friends and particularly, your future spouse for ideas.
History behind the tradition:
The history behind the wedding cake is shrouded in mystery as the history of the wedding cake itself. There is a certain legend going back more than a century that tells the story of the first time a wedding topper was used to decorate a cake. Only a legend, it has neither been proved nor unproved till today.
It all started with the marriage of a baker?s daughter more than a hundred years ago. Deeply in love, she asked her father to bake a cake for the wedding and to make a symbol of love for her and her groom for everyone to see. After racking his brains for a good idea, the baker finally baked a wedding cake and put two figurines representing his daughter and her groom on top of the cake. This gave way to the tradition of wedding cake jewelry in general.
Of utmost importance in weddings, the wedding cake as well as wedding cake jewelry today has evolved and poses a major dilemma of choice. An expression of your personality and of your couple, the wedding cake jewelry can be anything you wish.
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