The Display Wedding Cake – A Creative Solution to a Costly Problem

A “display” wedding cake, also called a “rental” cake, or a “faux” or “fake” cake, can save hundreds of dollars. While we may not want to associate anything “fake” or “faux” with our wedding, these cakes can be as beautiful and as personalized as any special order cake – in fact, your display cake can be a “special order.”

If your reception dinner includes dessert, or if your guest list is small and an adequate wedding cake is too small for wedding photos, a display cake may be appropriate.

Here’s how a display cake or combination of “real” and “display” cake might work for you:

Options:

• Stock display cakes may be personalized with wedding colors and fresh or silk flowers. Personalizing your “display” cake can start early with no wedding-day worries. Wedding photos will reflect the personality and ambiance of your wedding – and no one will know that the cake or a portion of your cake is not “real.”

• Custom display cakes are created from your own ideas, in collaboration with the designer/creator. Your fantasy cake becomes a reality at a much lower cost.

• Real-Display Combo: Two upper tiers can be “real” cake, the top tier for the first anniversary, and the second tier serving a smaller reception. Additional “display” layers add mass for wedding photos.

• A display cake can be all “display” except for a portion of the bottom layer. The “real” cake portion is used for the cake cutting ceremony. The camera captures the cut and doesn’t give away the secret. After photos, the cake is wheeled to the kitchen and iced but undecorated rounds are served, or whatever shape matches the display cake.

• A “side” one-layer cake can combine with the top two upper tiers of a real-display cake combo. The single-layer, or sheet cake, is a more cost effective option than ordering a large-scale “real” cake solely to accommodate wedding photos. The combination cake works well for a reception dinner serving other desserts

• Order an edible replica of the top tier of your “display” cake for an anniversary celebration.

• If the wedding is a small event with family and close friends, consider a large display cake for photographs, then serve a smaller, exact replica of the display. Another option is to serve a sheet cake.

• Display cakes are available in stacked, tiered, cascades, freestanding multiples and in many cake shapes.

• Display cakes can be “iced” in several ways: Hardened sugar frosting and even real icing.

Advantages:

• A display cake can be ready weeks before the wedding: no last minute hassles and no worries of a tier-toppling mishap.

• A display cake is perfect for an outdoor wedding. Heat, wind, humidity and insects are not a worry – and every couple needs less to worry about. A side cake can wait safely indoors until photos are finished and you are ready to serve your guests.

• A beautiful cake for wedding photos, hundreds of dollars in savings, and extra money in the budget for a honeymoon.

To locate display cakes, inquire of your baker and wedding rental shops.