For generations, the wedding cake was a sweet centrepiece — tiered, frosted, and patiently waiting for its ceremonial slice. But in 2025, cakes have taken on a new role. No longer just dessert, the wedding cake has become the moment.

From Tiered to Towering

Traditionally, a wedding cake has three or four tiers — enough to serve about 100 guests. Now, enter the tower cake: A sky-high confection of five to eight tiers (or more) that’s as much sculpture as it is dessert.

Forget the three-tier tradition. Today’s couples are commissioning cakes taller than the bride and groom, designed to rival chandeliers, floral walls, and even stages in sheer scale and drama. These towering confections aren’t just photo-worthy — they command the room as true statement pieces.

Tower Cakes: 3 Key Factors to Consider

1. They’re Maximalist — In a year where bold design is in, tower cakes epitomise grandeur and artistry. Think couture fashion, but in edible form. They’re designed to deliver “wow” factor moments and endless
Instagram content.

2. They’re Custom — Every tower cake is bespoke. Bakers are tailoring designs to echo bridal gowns, reference architectural features of the venue, and incorporate flourishes like edible lace, painted tiers, or even lighting for theatrical effect.

3. They’re Expensive — Theatrical height comes with equally dramatic details: Lush floral cascades, metallic finishes, and intricate sugar artistry. A tower cake is not the most cost-effective choice, but it is one of the most spectacular.

Couture, Custom, and Curated

Just as bridal fashion has gone couture, so, too, have cakes. Every tower cake is a carefully curated piece of edible art — a reflection of a couple’s style, heritage, and story. Destination weddings are embracing this with gusto, staging cakes against dramatic backdrops from the Amalfi Coast to Caribbean villas.

Why Cakes Matter More Than Ever

In the age of Instagram and TikTok, the cake is no longer a quiet finale — it’s a broadcast moment. A tower cake doesn’t just feed guests; it feeds content, giving couples a memory that is as shareable as it is unforgettable.

Why They’re Trending

• Maximalism: Bigger, bolder, more decorative than ever.

• Modern take on tradition: A fresh, avant-garde twist on the classic tiered cake.

• Artistic statement: Cakes as sculptural, architectural designs — true edible art.

• Show-stopping centrepiece: The ultimate dramatic focal point of reception décor.

• Rise of interactive cakes: Couples no longer want a cake that guests only admire from afar — they want them to experience it.

A couple cut into a Cake Envy seven-tier elevated, ruffled dessert, which served as the perfect focal point for the festive reception. (Photo by Rafal Ostrowski vis brides.com)

A grand seven-tier wedding confection..

Shikima Hinds Logo.