June 30, 2025

Hello my dear!

I Just Tasted 47 Wedding Cakes This Month... (And Here's What Every 2025 Couple Needs to Know!)

Okay, confession time: I may have the best job in the world. This month alone, I've been to seven cake tastings with my couples, and let me tell you the wedding cake game has completely changed! Gone are the days when your biggest decision was vanilla or chocolate. Today's couples are creating edible masterpieces that are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious.

After 20+ years of event planning in the River Valley, I've seen cake trends come and go, but what's happening in 2025? It's unlike anything I've witnessed before. So grab a coffee (or maybe some cake?) and let me spill all the sweet details on what's trending right now.

The "Statement Cake" Revolution is Here

Remember when wedding cakes were just pretty white towers? Those days are officially over! The couples I'm working with this year are treating their wedding cake like a piece of art and honestly, I'm here for it.

Just last week, I watched a bride's face light up when her baker showed her a palette knife frosting technique that looked like an abstract painting. "It's like our cake is wearing a textured wedding dress!" she squealed. And you know what? She was absolutely right.

Here's what I'm seeing everywhere in 2025 wedding cake trends:

• Palette knife frosting- it creates these gorgeous, painterly textures

• Pressed edible flowers- I had one couple use flowers that matched her grandmother's garden!

• Bold monochrome designs- using smooth fondant in unexpected colors like sage green or dusty rose

• Geometric tiers-  that look like they belong in a modern art museum

The best part? These wedding cake design trends aren't just beautiful—they're deeply personal. I had one couple incorporate the exact blue from their invitation suite into their cake design. Another used gold geometric patterns that matched the bride's art deco earrings. It's all about making your cake feel like YOU.

Flavors That'll Make Your Taste Buds Dance  

Can we talk about flavors for a hot minute? Because WOW. The wedding cake flavor trends happening right now are blowing my mind!

Gone are the days when couples felt stuck choosing between vanilla and chocolate. I'm talking about flavor combinations that tell stories and reflect personalities. 

Here's what my couples are absolutely obsessing over:

• Lemon lavender with vanilla bean buttercream- perfect for spring River Valley weddings!)

• Pistachio cake with rosewater cream- (this one had me questioning everything I thought I knew about cake)

• Salted caramel with chocolate ganache- (a crowd-pleaser that never fails)

• Chai spice cake with maple cream cheese frosting- (hello, fall wedding perfection!)

Pro tip: from someone who's been to way too many tastings: Ask for different flavors on each tier! Your guests get variety, and you get to indulge in ALL your favorites. Win-win!

Plot Twist: Not Everyone Wants Cake Anymore

Here's something that would have shocked me five years ago... some of my favorite couples are ditching traditional wedding cake altogether! And honestly? The wedding cake alternatives they're choosing are absolutely genius.

Last month, I coordinated a wedding where the couple did a donut wall instead of cake. Guests were grabbing donuts, laughing, and it became this interactive experience that had everyone talking. Another couple did a tiered cheese wheel display with honey and fruit—and let me tell you, their guests are STILL raving about it.

Here are the **creative wedding dessert ideas** that are stealing the show:

• Mini dessert stations- with cupcakes, macarons, and individual parfaits

• Donut towers- that double as entertainment and dessert

• Dessert grazing tables- with a little bit of everything

• Tiered cheese wheels- for couples who prefer savory over sweet

This approach is especially perfect for couples with dietary restrictions or those who want to offer gluten-free, vegan, or allergy-friendly options. Everyone gets something they can actually enjoy!

Making It Personal (Because Your Cake Should Tell Your Story)

You know what makes me emotional? When couples find ways to weave their story into their wedding cake design. I've seen sugar flowers that perfectly matched a bride's bouquet, custom cake toppers that reflected the couple's shared hobby, and flavors that honored family traditions.

One of my favorite examples: A couple used their great-grandmother's lemon cake recipe for one tier and incorporated sugar flowers that matched the wildflowers from their engagement photo location. Every bite and every detail told part of their love story.

Here's how couples are personalizing their cakes in 2025:

• • • Sugar flowers- that mirror the bridal bouquet exactly

    • Custom monograms or meaningful quotes- in beautiful script

    • Cultural flavors- that honor family heritage

    • Location-inspired elements- (think citrus for destination weddings or lavender for garden ceremonies)

Presentation That'll Make Your Photographer Weep (Happy Tears)

Let's be real—your cake needs to look amazing in photos, and the wedding cake presentation trends this year are absolutely stunning. I'm talking about displays that make your cake the star of the show.

I recently worked with a couple who used ambient lighting and candles around their cake display, and the photos? Pure magic. Another couple created a custom backdrop with fabric draping that made their cake cutting photos look like something out of a fairy tale.

Here's what's trending for cake presentation:

• Elevated stands with floral arrangements or fabric draping

• Strategic lighting to make your cake glow in photos

• Custom backdrops that complement your overall design

• Vintage furniture displays for mini desserts that feel curated and intentional

My Honest Take After Two Decades of Cake Tastings

Here's what I want every couple to know: your wedding cake should reflect YOU, not just what's popular on Pinterest. I've seen couples stress over having the "perfect" trendy cake when what they really wanted was their mom's chocolate recipe with simple buttercream.

The most memorable cakes I've seen aren't necessarily the most elaborate—they're the ones that make the couple light up when they talk about them.

Whether you're dreaming of a bold statement cake, a tower of donuts, or a simple family recipe done beautifully, what matters is that it feels authentically yours.

Questions to Ask Yourself (And Your Baker)

Before you dive into tastings, think about:

1. What flavors make you both happy?

2. Do you want your cake to be a showstopper or more understated?

3. Are there any family traditions or cultural elements you want to include?

4. How important are photos of your cake to you?

5. Do you have any dietary restrictions or guest considerations?

The Sweet Ending

After coordinating dozens of weddings and tasting more cake than any human probably should, here's my biggest piece of advice: have fun with it! Your wedding cake design should make you smile every time you think about it.

Whether you go bold with geometric tiers and unique flavors, keep it classic with personal touches, or skip cake entirely for a dessert adventure, the best choice is the one that feels right for YOU.

Want to chat about how to incorporate your dream cake (or cake alternative!) into your wedding day timeline? I love helping couples think through all these sweet details! Reach out at events@reehlevents.com—I promise I'll try not to make you as hungry for cake as I probably just did.

Happy Planning My Dears!

*Planning a wedding in the River Valley and need help coordinating all the delicious details? Let's grab coffee and talk about making your day (and your dessert!) absolutely perfect.*