Groom's Cake

From LoveToKnow Weddings

There's a scene in Steel Magnolias when all of the women are in Truvy's beauty shop discussing the groom's cake, a red velvet affair with gray icing in the shape of an armadillo. Not exactly what one would consider wedding fare, is it? Actually, it all depends on the part of the country you're from. In the North, not too many people heard of a groom's cake before Shelby's wedding, but in the South, it's a long standing tradition.

What is a Groom's Cake?

A groom's cake is a smaller cake, usually one tier, following a theme that is of interest to the groom. For instance, if the groom is a sports fan, the cake can be in the shape of a basketball or football. If the groom is into golf, the cake can resemble a putting green. If the groom is into armadillos, then by all means he should have a cake in the shape of an armadillo. Generally, it's a gift from the bride to the groom.

Originally, it wasn't meant to be shared with all the guests at the wedding reception, the wedding cake served that purpose. Instead, it was sliced, packaged up, and handed out as favors to all of the guests. Single women who attended the wedding would take the cake home and place it under their pillows. Once they fell asleep, it was hoped they would dream of their future husbands.

When to Serve

If the wedding cake is to be sliced and shared with the guests, when does one eat a groom's cake? It's all a matter of preference. Some couples like to share it with those attending the rehearsal dinner. Others have it handy in case they run out of wedding cake. Still others offer it to the bridal party to eat if they're having drinks or a celebration after the reception. There's no set rule. The cake can even be taken home and placed in the freezer to be eaten after the Happy Couple arrives home from their honeymoon.

What Kind of Cake?

Traditionally the groom's cake is made up of the groom's favorite flavors; either chocolate or fruit. There's no rule.

Popular Themes

Popular themes include:

Sports
Sports Teams
Computers
Hobbies
Colleges and Universities

Where to Find a Groom's Cake

You can purchase the groom's cake from the same baker from which you purchase the wedding cake. Many bakers have a book of themes that can be browsed. Bakers specializing in these are a bit more open minded when it comes to making a something unique. Some bakers even offer the wedding cake and groom's cake as part of a package. Choose the baker who can make the tastiest cake and the best design.

Should I Have One?

It's clearly a matter of preference. Groom's cakes are very popular in the south, while virtually unheard of in many of the northern areas of the US. Still, if this is something in which you're interested, why not have one? Choose an interesting design and give the guests something extra to talk about.