By: Christal Knowles-Feldman
Owner, Sunsational Weddings and Events

From groom cakes to fake cakes, wedding cakes have been a part of marriage ceremonies since medieval times. Over the years, customs may have changed, but the wedding cake is not bound by old traditions. Contemporary cakes can be designed in any shape, size or color. The groom's cake is a perfect opportunity to express creativity and have become increasingly popular over the years. If you haven't seen Steel Magnolias, you've probably heard the story of the red velvet armadillo groom's cake. While most consider groom cakes to be a southern tradition, made famous from this 1989 movie, the groom's cake was originally called the wedding cake and was made of heavy fruitcake. What we think of today as the wedding cake, was called the bride's cake.

The groom's cake has been known to represent a hobby, college mascot or favorite sports team. From chocolate to red velvet, groom cakes can either be served at the rehearsal dinner or during the reception as an alternative to the traditional cake flavors.

The demand for faux wedding cakes or "dummy cakes", as they are sometimes called, has definitely risen in the past few years. A Japanese tradition, these decorative wedding cakes are made of styrofoam layers and then covered in fondant icing.

There are several benefits to renting a dummy cake and serving sheet cake instead of buying a "real" tiered cake; Cost being the most significant. Sheet cakes can be a more affordable option because they are quicker to bake with less hassle to store and transport.

If you are asking yourself, "How do we cut a fake cake?", then be sure to rent a dummy cake that has a small slice missing in the back bottom tier. A real slice of cake can be inserted just before the cake cutting. Your guests will never know the difference.

Remember, your wedding cakes should leave a lasting impression, so be unique and incorporate your personalities into the designs.