Sweet Trends 2020 - 2021

In our previous article about ordering your wedding cake during a pandemic, we briefly discussed upcoming trends with Caked by Catherine and Butter & Bodoni. According to both we should be expecting to see texture replacing the smooth buttercream and fondant styles of later years, and the utilisation of chocolate sails to create organic shapes giving a sense of movement and life. Another increasing trend we should keep in mind (which I am DELIGHTED about) is a move towards truly unique and very personal weddings. The days of copy and paste Pinterest weddings are becoming a thing of the past with the focus moving towards a representation and celebration the couple, their personalities and taste seen in all details with the cake front and centre.

Movement

Caked by Catherine is among a number of hugely talented designers using chocolate to create organic shapes giving their cakes a sense of movement and animation. I’m loving the extra dimension this adds to a cake; it makes it a central part of the decor of your wedding. Definitely not to be hidden away! Also make sure your caterers cut and serve (maybe put them in touch with your baker for serving suggestions?), these require professional knife skills.

Texture

Another widely acknowledged emerging trend is the move away from smooth “perfect” cakes, towards textured finishes. Stone and cement-effects are appearing on the scene, joining the emerging heavy paint brush textures we’ve already seen over the last year. Imprinting seems to be a popular technique, adding depth with floral designs and abstract patterns.

Personal

When you think of a “personal'“ wedding cake, you might immediately think of a themed wedding. A themed wedding can absolutely be gorgeous and fun, but you don’t have to restrain yourself if you are wanting to have a wedding that is truly representative of you both and what you love. Maybe you met at a gallery, so something with modern art elements speak to you. Perhaps you frequent the National Gallery and have a particular love for the Dutch classics? Mid-century design and architecture your thing? Do it. Maybe you just love bold colours and clean shapes? Or maybe, you both love nothing more than sharing a box of your favourite cereal for dinner. Don’t pick your cake off of Pinterest, what do YOU love? Start there.

Angular

Ok I’m sneaking this one in because it’s my personal favourite trend at the moment. I don’t know about you but I’ve always imagined any cake resembling a square to be some form of sheet cake, or the pretty unpleasant Scottish traditional fruit cake (often complete with a tartan ribbon pinned around the base). Not ok. But these! I am keen for an angle, a clean line, and some unexpected textural detail. These are ticking (excuse the pun) many of my boxes.