The Return Of The Groom’s Cake

A long and time-honored tradition that is seeing a fast comeback in popularity is the groom’s cake. In the past when people traveled long distances, the groom’s family baked small fruitcakes, wrapped them carefully, and then distributed them to each guest after the wedding reception. Legend has it hat if a single lady placed the packaged cake under her pillow she would dream of her future husband. The flavor and shape of the cake should be decided by the groom and can be served at the rehearsal dinner or along with a slice of the wedding cake at the wedding reception.

Traditionally, a groom’s cake was sliced and boxed for the unmarried girls attending the wedding to take home and place under their pillows in hopes that the man they dreamed of would be their future husband.

Groom’s cakes have come along way since then. Today the cake is meant to be a reflection of the groom’s interests, whether it be one of his hobbies, favorite sport, alma mater, profession, etc.

It’s a personal choice when to serve the cake - either at the rehearsal dinner, as an alternate dessert with the wedding cake, or as a late night dessert for the wedding party. Just because primarily groom cakes tend to be a fruitcake or a chocolate cake shouldn’t dictate what the bride and groom should have. Obviously being named “Groom’s Cake, however,” it should be a flavor and theme that the groom enjoys.

The cake can either be ordered by the bride as a surprise for her groom, the groom can order it himself, or the couple can decide upon it and order it together.

Most importantly, if the cake is to be displayed at the reception anywhere near the wedding cake, its design and presence should not compete with the wedding cake. The wedding cake should always have top priority in design and place of honor.

If the cake is to be pre-boxed and not served at the reception but to be taken by the guests as favors, then the following there are a few presentation possibilities. One is presented to have each slide individually. Another idea is from Gail Watson, a premier New York cake designer. She offers the idea of individual petit four cakes in place of a full size cake. These petite fours can then be boxed for the guests. They can also have the couple's monogram put on each cake.

It is not a requirement to have a groom’s cake but it definitely adds a special and memorable touch to a wedding.