With bakers – and eaters – getting exciting about the new GBBO, we decided to take a look back at 100 years of wedding cake tradition.
The eating of cake at wedding ceremonies was first recorded in Medieval times. Biscuits were baked and then piled as high as possible, with the bride and groom expected to lean over the pile and kiss. If they could kiss without knocking over any biscuits, they would be able to expect a lifetime of prosperity.
When the wedding cake trend really kicked off it was a wheat based creation that would be THROWN at the bride as a symbol of fertility.
In the 1600s, a (quite poncy sounding) French chef was utterly outraged at this barbaric tradition and insisted people use sawn off broomhandles to stack instead (which doesn't really sound much more civilised to us...) which eventually led to the tradition of wedding cake tiers.
In the 17th Century 'bride pie' became popular, where a glass ring was thrown at the crowd of wedding guests. The guest to catch the ring, it was said, would be the next to marry, just like today's bouquet tradition.
Cakes then became all about big, white spectacles after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's cake set the tone. However, during the first and second world wars when money was tight and rationing was in place, cakes became much more humble or even replaced with a fake cardboard confection.
Over the last 100 years, wedding cake trends have changed a heck of a lot. This video montages each of the last 10 decades' matrimonial bake fashions. From 1916 where a small cake with a floral decoration is shown, to 2016 where the vey untraditional cake comes as a HUGE surprise.
(WARNING: nostalgia alert)
We're VERY excited to have the Great British Bake off back on our screens, and definitely approve of the series kicking off with cake week. Comedy duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc are not disappointing us with their half-baked innuendos (pun intended). Paul Hollywood and, of course, Mary Berry, are back as the hard-to-please judges. 12 amateurs are head to head to gain the title of British Bake Off champion 2016 and it's already proving to be an exciting watch, with some real characters among the bakers.
Here are a few past GBBO contestant's cakes that would make perfect wedding centrepieces:
Nadiya's peacock cake
Everyone thought this was Nadiya's most regal cake... That was until she won the whole show and baked for the QUEEN! This would definitely make a quirky, impressive wedding cake.
Frances Quinn's Midsummer Night's Dream cake
We're feeling all romantic just looking at it. Totally gorgeous...
What's your favourite cake from the last 100 years? And which has been your favourite ever Bake Off creation? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline).