Modernizing the Groom's Cake Tradition
Traditionally, a groom’s cake was sliced and boxed for the unmarried girls attending the wedding. She would take it home and place it under her pillow hopeful that the man she dreamed of would become her future husband.
Today, the cake is meant to be a reflection of the groom’s interests, hobbies, favorite sports, alma mater, profession, or anything else he enjoys.
Popular Themes for Groom's Cakes:
Hobbies - photography, chessboard, poker table, pool table, bowling, books, etc.
Sports - baseball, hockey, kayaking, snowboarding, fishing, golf, etc.
Team Sports - the groom's favorite teams
Wild Animals
Treasure Chests or Gift Boxes
The cake can be ordered by the bride as a surprise for her groom, by the groom himself, or by the bridal couple together. If the cake is to be displayed near the wedding cake, its design and presence should not compete with the wedding cake, which should always have top billing in design and placement.
When to Serve the Groom's Cake
It’s a personal choice when to serve the cake - at the rehearsal dinner, as an alternate dessert with the wedding cake, or as a late night dessert for the wedding party. Groom's cakes traditionally tend to be fruit cake or chocolate cake, but that shouldn’t dictate the bride and groom's choice.
If the cake is to be pre-boxed and taken home by the guests as favors, then there are several creative ways to display it. The slices can be individually boxed and arranged to look like a tiered cake on a cake stand. Alternatively, a couple could order individual petit four cakes in place of one full-sized cake. These petits fours can then be boxed for the guests, and could boast the couple's monogram.
A groom’s cake is not mandatory at a wedding, but it does add a special and memorable touch.