Here are three elegant design houses' takes on bridal couture for the Spring 2009 wedding season. By borrowing ideas from the trends on display, any bride can have a stunningly fashionable wedding cake.
Simple Elegance
Badgley Mischka’s Spring 2009 bridal collection features neutral colours and simple lines, but their gowns are made oh-so-spectacular by the designers' use of embellishments to draw the eye to just one key feature. Picture a very simple satin column gown, accented with a stunning crystal belt at the waist.
This trend could be easily adapted to a cake. A traditional, three-tiered cake covered in iridescent white fondant can be brought up to trend by adding some silver ribbon trim or a crystal-encrusted monogram topper for drama. A plain white cake could also be embellished with the addition of edible pearls in a scalloped trim around the sides of each layer.
Romance
While romance is always in style for weddings, Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2009 bridal collection ensures that soft ruffles and feminine bows will be front and centre at many weddings in the upcoming season. Intricate lacework also plays a key part in this collection. One stunning ivory gown is completely overlain with exquisite lacework from the bodice to the hem.
Romance can be added to a cake by dressing it up with ruffles. A fondant “veil” of breathtaking ruffles cascading down the sides of a tiered cake will leave guests speechless. Bows are always popular for wedding cakes; they can be updated by adding a modern vertical line of large bows down the front of a cake. Using bows in conjunction with ruffles will create a romantic cake that is trendy yet timeless.
Colour
For Spring 2009, Reem Acra’s bridal collection is alive with colour. While the gowns themselves may be classic white, they were shown worn with lively hats in primary colours, bright socks, or over striped shirts to give every dress a pop of childlike drama. One of the collection’s most outstanding gowns was shown with a blood-red lace shawl overtop. Its bubble skirt was hiked up to reveal red stockings underneath!
While the bride may not be brave enough to wear colour, her cake doesn't need to be traditional. Adding a few gigantic roses in the deepest red available or drenching the cake with edible gems in rich jewel tones will take this trend from the runway to the dessert plate. Sunny yellow ribbons could also be added for a splash of vibrancy.
Adding elements from designers’ runways to a Spring 2009 wedding cake will ensure that the all-important dessert is as fabulous and memorable as the bride's gown. When the bride and groom look at their wedding photographs years from now, they will continue to be impressed at how elegant and sophisticated a traditional cake can look while still remaining current with the times.
Videos of these designers' and other collections are available at the Brides Video Library.
Heather Switall - I am an avid home baker and passionate "foodie" with a flair for entertaining on a budget. Parties are all about the food, aren't they? I ...
