Originally, wedding cakes were more akin to a loaf of bread than the frosted creations we see now. In an era gone by, grooms would crumble a wheat or barley cake over their bride's head, an auspicious gesture believed to bless newlyweds with good fortune and prosperity. Today, wedding cakes are a centrepiece, the pièce de résistance of the head table, and a key photo opportunity for many newlywed couples. Much like the wedding dress or suit itself, this element of the big day should be a reflection of your style and taste – literally. Long gone are the days of simply choosing between chocolate and vanilla. These days, a wedding cake should be unique, personal, and the cream covered bow that ties everything together.
With all that in mind, there's never been a better time to hunt for wedding cake inspiration. If you're anything like us, your Instagram saved folder has seen more than a few Laila Gohar creations, and we think that is the perfect level of extra when it comes to nuptial nosh. Perhaps your dream cake isn’t even a cake but a tower of profiteroles draped in ribbons of spun sugar. Or maybe it’s cheese? We’re not judging, we’re simply here to inspire. Below, find 11 of our favourite bakers and chefs serving up the most impeccable wedding cake inspiration.
1. Valentine Fodor (Vege Mamma)
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Chances are, you've seen Valentine Fodor's delightfully off-kilter cake creations flooding your Instagram feed. After beginning baking as a hobby during lockdown, Fodor — who bakes under the pseudonym Vege Mamma — has become a favourite of the internet thanks to her elaborate, avant-garde cakes.
2. Laszlo Marie Badet (Cantine Laszlo)
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If you want to commemorate your nuptials with something that looks a little more like a work of art than a traditional baked good, look no further. Parisienne chef and model Laszlo Marie Badet has perfected the skill of a well-laid table, with her delectable cake creations the star of the show. Think: larger-than-life profiterole towers, retro-inspired trifles, and towering sponge cakes slathered in whipped cream and candied fruit.
3. Laila Gohar (Laila Cooks)
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If you can dream it, chances are, Laila Gohar can make it into cake. The Egyptian baker's creations exist at the intersection of food and art, with whimsical silhouettes, dreamy colours, and delectable textures at the fore. Yes please!
4. Aimee France
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Forget white icing and perfect edges — Aimee France is making a convincingly delicious case for the beauty in imperfection. Her unexpected flavour combinations — from toasted coconut olive oil cake and pistachio mascarpone, to chocolate cake, labneh and matcha buttercream — are perfectly matched by quirky icing and unusual decorations.
5. Mia (Slutty Cooking)
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A wedding is arguably the most romantic day in a couple's life, so it's fitting that their cake matches this energy. Enter: Mia (aka @sluttycooking), who transformed a lockdown hobby into a thriving business. While cakes aren't the only thing in her oeuvre, she's definitely earned a reputation for her whimsically-piped pastel buttercream, which is typically tied off with a matching ribbon.
6. Kathrin Koschitzki (Photisserie)
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If traditional layer cakes aren't your thing, Kathrin Koschitz might have the perfect wedding cake inspiration for you. Her dessert offering ranges from towering meringues (complete with artfully-piped chestnut cream and candied chestnuts, no less) to sprawling cheesecakes pressed with real flowers.
7. Petra Galler (Butter Butter)
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Relive your childhood with New Zealand baker Petra Galler's nostalgic cakes. Championing simple, decadent ingredients — and a more-is-more mentality — Galler is your go-to for desserts that are as delicious as they are beautiful.
8. Sian Redgrave
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Sydney-based chef and food stylist Sian Redgrave was the winner of the Great Australian Bakeoff in 2015, so it's only appropriate that her cakes make this list. With a penchant for fresh, local produce, Redgrave's carefully curated Instagram feed is worth scrolling if wholesome cakes, cooked to perfection are your thing.
9. Jordan Rondel (The Caker)
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Teetering somewhere between sculptures and actual cakes, it's hard to scroll past Jordan Rondel's Instagram posts without your mouth watering. While her much-loved Auckland bakery has now closed, you can still get your hands on this incredible fare via Rondel's luxury make-at-home cake kits.
10. Madeline Bach (Frosted Hag)
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Don't let the name fool you — Madeline Bach's cake creations are some of the most magnificent on the market. If your wedding leans maximalist, whimsical, and colourful, we guarantee there'll be something to tempt your tastebuds here.
11. Izzy (You Forgot The Blueberries)
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For understated elegance that doesn't compromise on flavour, Izzy is your girl. After all, who doesn't love a fluffy sponge topped with a healthy layer of buttercream and fruit compote?
