Modern Wedding Cake Designs

Throughout the centuries, wedding cake designs have evolved to mirror the trends of their times. When they rose to popularity in the Victorian era, wedding cakes were enormous with many tall tiers and decorated with extravagant ruffles and piping, similar in design to the ruffled, hooped dresses of the day. During the 1920s and 1930s, wedding cakes became smaller and had simpler designs, reflecting the limited food supply during the Great Depression. The rise of the rustic and "shabby chic" aesthetics around 2010 saw scraped, or "naked" wedding cake designs become popular, as they perfectly fit those themes.

Modern wedding cake designs have evolved even further, and are all about clean lines, contemporary textures, and unexpected design choices. They often feature sleek buttercream or fondant finishes, creative color palettes, and geometric shapes. The beauty of modern design lies in its versatility—whether you like a minimalist design with sharp lines or a bold cake that stands out with colors and textures, there’s a style to fit every couple’s vision. We are excited to explore a few modern wedding cake designs that show the unique versatility of this aesthetic.

Asymmetric Cake Tiers

We love wedding cakes that feature unexpected design elements, and this sleek four-tier wedding cake is one of our favorite examples. The smooth texture of the buttercream frosting highlights the clean lines of the cake and draws attention to the asymmetric, diagonal cut of the two middle cake tiers. We love that this cake is unadorned with flowers or a cake topper, allowing it to maintain an almost structural look. This design is perfect for any wedding with a modern, minimalist theme, and is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Fondant Ruffles

If ever there was a romantic wedding cake design, this is it! White buttercream frosting has been applied to the cake and smoothed so that it has very little texture. Then, thin sheets of fondant are wrapped around the top and bottom tiers to create delicate ruffles that are further highlighted with baby's breath flowers. The fondant ruffles soften the look of the cake, and the delicate flowers add a whimsical touch that makes this cake design perfect for any modern wedding with a classic, romantic aesthetic.

Bold Colors

In a step away from traditional white wedding cakes, the past several years have seen a rise in wedding cake designs that incorporate bold, eye-catching colors. This cake design incorporates a copper bottom tier (complete with metallic shine) and soft rose gold middle tier with a more traditional white top tier. The mix of colors and finishes combine to make an elegant wedding cake that is both unexpectedly modern and timeless at the same time.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

Perhaps the opposite of the previous cake, this design shows a monochromatic wedding cake with only white finishes. The monochromatic look has become popular in both fashion and home design in recent years, and this trend extends to weddings as well. We love the simple elegance of this wedding cake- the contemporary, clean lines softened by fresh flowers that add texture and visual interest. This design is ideal for indoor receptions that embrace a classic, minimalist aesthetic.

Geometric Cake Tiers

In addition to clean lines in general, the modern wedding cake aesthetic also embraces non-traditional, geometric cake tiers. This cake is an excellent example of this trend, with the earthy tones and rough texture adding lots of interest to the simple design. Square and geometric wedding cakes are perfect for both weddings with a minimalist, industrial decor theme, and receptions that take place in natural, unrefined settings.

Bold Metallic Accents

While metallic accents like edible gold and copper have been incorporated into wedding cake designs for years, we love designing cakes that showcase contemporary aesthetics like this wedding cake with bold gold foil detailing. The top of each cake tier has been coated in edible gold foil, serving to define the cake tiers in a very modern way. This gorgeous design is perfect for a contemporary, elegant wedding.

Modern wedding cakes are more than just dessert—they’re edible art. Whether sleek and simple or bold and architectural, these designs make a statement and add an unforgettable touch to your special day. So embrace creativity, think outside the box, and let your wedding cake be a true reflection of your modern love story.