Who says you can’t have a wedding cake with a waterfall? Actually, the sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your unique wedding cake design. Of course, remember that the more extravagant and detailed, the more expensive your cake will be, but challenge those cake makers out there and encourage creativity!

When it comes to wedding cakes, brides often choose those that are decorated or accented with bows, ribbons, flowers, and even butterflies. Cakes can be layered, tiered, large or small, but no matter what, they should express the personality and whimsy of the couple being married. Depending on the size of your wedding party, wedding cake designers may be able to offer various designs for you to look at. But what about those of you who want to design a one-of-a-kind extravaganza, including wedding cakes with waterfalls?

Begin your search with local wedding cake bakers and bring them a rough sketch or even a picture of what you would like. Ask to see photographs of cakes that he or she has designed in order to determine whether your wedding cake with waterfalls design is within his or her skill level. Why go with the same traditional wedding cake design that was used by your sister, your aunt, and even your mother years ago? Push the envelope and design a truly unique, riveting wedding cake that offers a multitude of accents, decorations, and toppers.

After all, you’ve designed your wedding ceremony, chosen the wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses, and scheduled the reception and honeymoon. Now let your creativity run free with fun and whimsical designs when it comes to your wedding cake!  The sky is the limit. You can go simple or elegant, traditional or fantastic. Whether you want butterflies and fairies or traditional bride and groom toppers and roses, your choice in wedding cake design is only limited by your imagination (okay, and sometimes by your budget), but if you really want a wedding cake with a waterfall, do your best to find a wedding cake baker who can give you what you’re looking for at a budget you can afford.

The wedding cake topper is often times a focal point of the dessert, so choosing one that both represents the bride and groom and their personalities can take time and research. There are many styles and themes to choose from, whether it is a comical “bride with a ball and chain attached to the groom” type cake topper, or a simple yet elegant monogram of the names of the newlyweds.

A wedding cake topper provides the opportunity for the bride and groom to carry the wedding’s themes and colors all the way to the top of the cake. High quality cakes have ornate décor, with cake jewelry or flowers. Often times, a pastry chef will advise placement of a stylish wedding topper as a final touch. Monogram and traditional wedding cake toppers offer the potential of personalization through the use of crystals and a variety of fonts.

Less traditional or comical wedding cake toppers allow the bride and groom to share their personalities and humor with their wedding guests. More of these toppers are being used in weddings of all styles and budgets, since they add a lighthearted feel to the overall ambiance of the wedding reception. Wedding cake topper selections include brides going after grooms, or even toppers that have themes themselves, such as golfing grooms or shopping brides.

Then there are the traditional bride and groom wedding cake toppers. While these are more common, modern cake toppers are now able to design the bride and groom to look like the actual newlyweds. Physical features can be altered, as well as the style of dress - for example beach attire or western wear, if that is the fashion choice of the newlyweds.

No matter what style the wedding cake topper takes, it’s going to be a good choice as long as it represents the bride and groom. Cake toppers are often a representation of the style of the wedding and reception, but they can also be a part of the bride and groom’s personality no matter what style or budget the wedding fits in.

These days, just about anything goes as long as it’s tasteful. Whether you decide to go traditional, dignified or kooky, make sure that you’re happy with the results.

A striking image that, in many people’s minds, represents the concept of a groom’s cake is the armadillo creation of Jackson’s aunt in the film Steel Magnolias.  However, a groom’s cake is a tradition that has been around for a very long time, with roots in the south.  Now this southern tradition is undergoing a hip revolution.  Having a groom’s cake is the hot new thing.

First of all, what is a groom’s cake?  A groom’s cake is a cake that is meant to reflect the groom’s passions and interests.  The traditions surrounding groom’s cakes are much more fluid than those surrounding the wedding cake itself, because it’s a much newer tradition outside of the south.

The groom’s cake can be saved until the wedding reception and served as an alternate dessert, but in many cases, it is displayed and served at the rehearsal dinner.  This is a great option, because many times, the groom’s cake is cartoonish and whimsical, so it wouldn’t fit well with a more traditionally-themed wedding.  However, at the more casual rehearsal dinner, it’s perfect.

Another option with a groom’s cake is to have the pieces individually boxed and given to the guests to take with them as favors.  If this is the plan, you will want to have this done by the bakery and display the cake in this way.   Cutting and boxing cake pieces is far more time consuming than you would imagine, and you don’t need that extra pressure on your wedding day, wondering if it will get done in a timely and proper way.

The groom’s cake is generally ordered either as a complete surprise to the groom by the bride herself, or, if the couple has discussed and decided on getting a groom’s cake, then the groom would choose the theme and order it.  It’s rare for the planning of the groom’s cake to be done by the couple together.  The main thing, though, is that – since it is a cake meant to reflect the groom – it should be a theme, colors, and flavors that are favorites of his.

When it comes to the design of the groom’s cake, the groom should brainstorm all of the things in his life that are important to him.  Cakes can be made to resemble pretty much anything nowadays, so don’t be limited in ideas!  Common themes include sports teams, animals, hobbies, professions, and musical interests.  If the groom is a reader, you could have a cake in the shape of a book, for instance.  If he is a video game enthusiast, a cake in the shape of an x-box.  Or if he loves to surf the net, a cake in the shape of a computer or a laptop.

Although many might see the groom’s cake as an unnecessary expense, it can add a fun and lighthearted touch to the wedding.  Also, on a day that is so focused on the bride in other respects, it can serve to highlight the groom and give him some much-deserved attention, as well.

Are you tired of the miniature, faceless bride and groom statuettes that sit atop virtually every wedding cake you’ve seen since you were a kid?  Well, you’re not the only one.  There are lots of alternatives to the classic bride and groom figurine.

OTHER SYMBOLS – There are many cake toppers now that have other symbols aside from the bride and groom.  These include hearts, stars, bells, flowers, and doves.  There are many online wedding supply shops that sell a huge variety of unique cake toppers.  Also, if your wedding has a theme, find online stores that are devoted to that theme and you might be able to find something there.

REAL LIFE OBJECTS – Many times, this will be something that is incorporated with your theme.  For instance, if you are having a fairy tale wedding, it might be a tiara.  If you are having a beach wedding, it might be seashells.  The only limit is your imagination.

PhOTOS IN A FRAME – You can have one or more photos of yourselves, possibly from your engagement shoot, in a frame that matches the theme of the wedding to serve as your cake topper.  This is imaginative and a lovely and useful keepsake for after the wedding.

CUSTOM MADE FIGURINES OF THE COUPLE – I know, I know, we were going to steer clear of figurines, right?  Well, these are different.  At some specialty shops online, if you send them photographs of the two of you, they will sculpt extremely realistic ceramic cake toppers that look exactly like the two of you.  If you can get past the, “Wow, that’s a tiny me, it’s almost a little creepy,” factor – it’s a very cool alternative.

MONOGRAMS – If you want something that reflects your new identity as a couple, but want to steer clear of visual representations of the two of you, you should consider monograms.  They are elegant, classy, and beautiful.  Also, since they are not custom made, they are quick and easy to obtain.

SCROLL WITH INSCRIPTION – At online shops or sometimes even bridal shops, you can buy a blank scroll with a small easel to display it.  Choose a quote that is meaningful to you, either from history or poetry or something you’ve written.  If you don’t have any friends or family that can do fancy script, chances are you can look in the yellow pages for a related service and have them do it for you.

JEWEL-ENCRUSTED TOPPERS – At several online specialty shops, they will craft a topper for you in any shape you wish and then adorn it with sparkling stones.  It’s a very striking look.

ASIAN CHARACTERS – If you have Asian -themed décor, Asian characters are a perfect cake topper.  You can have the typical “double happiness” symbol, which is widely available online, or have a topper constructed for you that is the symbol for any words you like – faith, love, unity, power, prosperity – your imagination is the only limit.

Remember, the cake topper is supposed to be one striking visual representation of you as a couple.  Don’t rest until you find something that feels perfect.

One of the main iconic representations of a wedding is the wedding cake.  Aside from the bridal gown, nothing will be more anticipated, examined, and discussed at your wedding than the cake.  This makes the choice of cake particularly important.  However, to some people, the idea of a traditional wedding cake is simply not appealing.  If you are one of those folks, these ideas are just for you!

UNIQUE FLAVORS – If the traditional flavors of cake – chocolate, white cake, or some variation thereof – do not appeal to you, or if you have a particular favorite flavor of cake, you can have a cake custom made in that flavor.  Some examples of flavors are carrot cake, jello cakes, strawberry shortcake.  I will warn you, it will very likely be more difficult to find a vendor that can accommodate you.  However, if the extra effort is worth it to you, you can have a cake that is your very favorite flavor!

UNIQUE SHAPES AND THEMES – The idea of having wedding cakes custom-made to fit something special about the life of the bride and groom has gained popularity in recent years.  In fact, there is even a reality television show on The Food Network called “Ace of Cakes” about a bakery (Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, MD) that makes extreme custom wedding cakes.  These cakes can focus on anything in the couple’s life – a place that is important to them, a shared passion, or even a visual representation of the couple themselves.

CUPCAKE TOWERS – For less formal events, many couples choose to have a cupcake tower rather than a traditional wedding cake.  Cupcake holders are available which are very lovely and detailed, so the idea is not entirely informal.  Also, many couples like the fact that, with a cupcake tower, they can have a wide variety of flavors available rather than just a few.

DECORATING WITH REAL OBJECTS – Decorating with real objects is a great option in a couple of different instances.  First, if you are on a tight budget and can’t afford a traditional wedding cake at traditional wedding cake prices, a lovely alternative is to purchase several small plain white frosted cakes, arrange them in an artistic way, and surround them with flowers or beautiful stones or any other kind of objects that represent the theme of your wedding.  Second, if your wedding theme is centered around a particular type of flower, such as roses, what could be more appropriate than a wedding cake adorned with that flower?

CAKE ALTERNATIVES – Lastly, if cake in any shape, form, or flavor is really just not to your taste, you can always have a cake alternative.  Many couples choose to serve pie, brownies, cheesecake, donuts, or cannoli instead of the traditional wedding cake.  It is entirely up to you and your fiance’s tastes and preferences.

There is nothing written in stone about what a wedding cake must be like.  This is your wedding - the only important thing is that you love it.  If you love your cake, you’ll be happy with it, and it will create a beautiful centerpiece for your reception – and for your memories of the day.