As you all know, a wedding isn't actually complete without a wedding cake. From the simple traditional cake to the elegant three-tier, the wedding cake is a focal point of any wedding reception. After reviewing several wedding cake pictures from the WPN photo gallery, my top wedding cake picks for July are:

**drumroll David Letterman style**

#5 Pink Rose Tiered Wedding Cake

The extremely fine detailing and delicacy is what makes this wedding cake so unique. The use of delicate wedding flowers to accentuate the beauty of the cake is amazing.  My favorite design element of this particular wedding cake is all the light pink and and dark pink roses that were used between each tier. After all, pink is my favorite color which for me is a definite plus.

Although hidden under amazing wedding flowers and buttercream frosting, a delicious chocolate wedding cake resides. So as a big fan of chocolate, you can see why this stunning cake had to make it on my top 5! This cake was submitted by Sue's Sweets, a Rahway New Jersey Wedding Cake Bakery

# 4 Contemporary Black & White Wedding Cake

Wow, where do I start with this dazzling black & white wedding cake. This cake puts the fun in funky. The different layers of black and white designs are what caught my eye as soon as I saw this cake.

This clearly shows what a fun and contemporary couple the bride and groom are with the square and irregularly shaped tiers. It's not everyday a wedding cake is designed with polka dots or zebra stripes, which is why this contemporary cake was also a must in my top 5! This wedding cake photo was submitted by Photographs by Lawrence, a  Marietta, Oklahoma Wedding Photographer.

# 3 Beach Wedding Cake

This awesome wedding cake is perfect for any beach-themed wedding. It is so striking I don't think I could bite into it without feeling a little regret. You can feel the essence of the beach in this three-tiered wedding cake. Each layer contains beautiful authentic sea shells and intriguing frosting designs.

This extraordinary cake makes me feel like I'm really in a beach atmosphere. From its seashells to the replicated brown sugared sand, I couldn't possibly have left this wedding cake off my top 5 list. This Tampa Fl wedding cake photo was submitted by G. Elliot Catering, a Tampa FL caterer.

#2 Trendy Wedding Cake

A trendy color blend of light pink, chocolate brown and pale mint green makes this is an awesome wedding cake. I would consider it fun yet still very elegant. When it comes to wedding cakes, the more contemporary the better! Although the cake has traditional round stacked layers, the detailed frosting and color scheme for the cake make it stand out. This cake is definitely trendy and contemporary wedding cake.

It's not every day that pink and brown shades are used as the color palette for a wedding cake. And that's fine with me, of course. Using pink with brown is an awesome choice. Like I said before, pink is my favorite color which is why this wedding cake couldn't be left out on my top 5! This contemporary wedding cake photo was submitted by Gourmet On The Go, a Victorville, CA wedding cake bakery.

#1. Elegance In Red – Square Wedding Cake

It's the moment you have all been waiting for! My number one wedding cake pick! Bright white fondant icing, dark red roses, and red ribbon make this square wedding cake a beautiful display. Although the design of this cake is simple, you can't deny its exquisite look for the wedding. The smooth pure white fondant makes a perfect foundation for the rich deep red accents. I have chosen this square wedding cake as my number one pick because its sure to get some "ooohs" and "aaaahs" at any wedding reception. This roses and fondant wedding cake was submitted by Just One Cakes, an Albuquerque NM wedding cake designer.

So these are my top five wedding cake picks for July. Next month we'll choose the top five wedding cakes for August and you can help! If you like a wedding cake from the photo gallery and would like to see it in the top five for August, Let us know: Vote For August Top Wedding Cake.

There are several wedding cake trends gaining popularity this year. These high fashion fondant creations are sure to catch the eye of every guest and make mouths water from miles around. Consider these ideas when meeting with your wedding cake consultant.
1. Black and White Pattern Wedding Cakes. It seems everywhere you look you'll see the Parisian wallpaper trend. So, why not in the wedding scene? This design is very elegant and quite stunning on a round tiered wedding cake. To blend this trend in with your other wedding decorations, use the pattern on other things such as napkins or tablecloth overlays.

2. CHOCOLATE!!! Forget traditional vanilla, switch it up! This year several brides are choosing dark chocolate truffle wedding cakes with beautiful detail and glamour. Give chocolate a chance! If you’re scared of the rich flavor, serve fruit along side such as raspberries or strawberries.

3. No Flowers Needed Just Crisp Details. Arts and crafts has gone chic in the wedding world this year. Crisp lines, exposed stitching and seamstress inspired details top the cake trends this season. Add detail to a light hued cake with vintage fondant buttons and fancy piping for a high fashion quilted look.

4. No Ordinary Shape Will Do. Brides are exploring their wedding cake shape options cakes this year. Oval tiers, cube tiers, and even asymmetric tiers (this can be complicated). These new styles are fresh and creative ways to spice up the otherwise ordinary cake shapes. Some of these new styles do compromise the amount of cake you get. So these might be great ideas for small, intimate weddings.

5. Small Makes A Big Statement. All the rage this year, mini cakes have become popular practically overnight. These mini cakes or personal cakes are part of the wedding decor. They surround the wedding cake and are adorned with a contrasting color to create a visual delight and a tasty treat. Mini cakes can also become gifts for guests. Package these cakes in favor boxes to send home with guests for wedding favors. (Two bird’s with one stone!)

Take these ideas along when you meet with your wedding cake consultant or baker and explore the options of a high fashion wedding cake for your 2009 wedding! Happy eating!

Let Your Heritage Add Spice To Your Wedding Cake

Cultural wedding cake themes are seeing a big rise in popularity as wedding ceremonies reflect the ethnic traditions of the bride and groom. As more and more couples tap into their heritage to inspire their celebration, wedding cakes are also following suit with an increase in cultural wedding cakes. This could include a red and white wedding cake for Chinese couples following the traditions of lucky colors and other similar practices. When heritage and ethnicity play an important role at the wedding, discuss how to incorporate many of these traditions with your wedding cake bakery.

A Seasonal Theme Deserves A Seasonal Wedding Cake

Seasonal themed wedding cakes are also very popular. Fall wedding cakes make excellent use of bronze, amber, burnt reds and similar colors. Falling fondant leaves cascading down tiers of colorful wedding cake is a portion of the wedding reception that no autumn bride should be without.

Seasonal wedding cakes are also appropriate and beautiful for the other seasons of the year. Winter wedding cakes, summer wedding cakes, and spring wedding cakes each bring their own unique set of shades to the palette but every pairing is as beautiful as the next. Each hue creates a unique dimension that brings to life the season of the wedding. What a great way to celebrate the day and the time of year!

Make It Funky-Unusual Wedding Cakes Are In Now

Unusual wedding cakes are also becoming very popular. Tiers that appear to be skewed are a fun alternative to traditional pieces. Heart shaped wedding cakes add an extra dose of romance and flair to the reception. Whatever the shape and style, unusual wedding cakes are seeing a big boost among brides wishing to have a truly unique wedding.

Celebrate Your Roots With A Location-Specific Wedding Cake

Don't forget location specific themes for the wedding cake! Everyone loves a good bit of dessert, but themed wedding cakes stand out with their fun and quirky appearance. Beach destination weddings are very popular as are the beach wedding cakes that come with them. Another popular style remains with western wedding cakes. A fondant cowboy boot atop buttercream delight is a tasty way for everyone to celebrate nuptials. Don't be scared to contact your local wedding cake bakery about the many different location-specific themes for your cake.

History of the Wedding Cake

The importance of wedding cakes goes back for centuries. Originally, wedding cakes represented fertility, prosperity, and also symbolized the couple’s new life together. Many even think that the tiered wedding cake was not born out of artistic creation, but actually out of necessity.

The tradition of the wedding cake can be found as far back as the Romans. According to legend, Read the rest of WEDDING CAKE IDEAS »