The inclusion of a groom’s cake in the wedding meal was an old Southern tradition but has lately become increasingly popular everywhere you look.  The “original” groom’s cake was actually called the wedding cake and what we think of now as the wedding cake used to be called the Bride’s Cake.  (Did you get that?)

Louisville Wedding Cake

In old Southern tradition, the groom’s cake (which, ironically enough, was usually a fruitcake—no lie) wasn’t served at the wedding like the wedding cake (or Bridal Cake).  Up until the 1970’s, the groom’s cake would be sliced up before the reception into small slivers or squares, carefully wrapped in gift bags or boxes (often monogrammed), and distributed as wedding favors at the end of the affair.  But here’s the kicker,  only the single ladies at the party received this favor. 

The ladies were to put the wrapped slice under their pillows or beds resulting in one of the following sweet outcomes:

• She’d dream of her future husband
• Her current beau would soon become her husband

The groom’s cake of today, however, gives the couple-to-be the opportunity to add an element of  your personality to the meal that is typically not conveyed by the “traditional” wedding cake.  Wedding cakes tend to look similar but a groom’s cake is an opportunity for creativity and individuality.

The top of a groom’s cake can depict a particular interest or hobby of yours—fishing, sports car racing, fine wines, baseball, chess, skiing. It can honor your alma mater, profession or membership in a particular organization. 

Have the cake baked into any shape—a golf club, football, guitar, boat or native country.  Another option is to stick figurines or other little plastic objects on the top of the cake like a diorama. Imagine toy soldiers scaling the cake of a decorated veteran.  Or miniature cooking utensils and food items for a chef?

This cake also contrasts the wedding cake in that it’s usually covered with dark icing and most often chocolate. (You didn’t think you were stuck with a fruitcake, did you?)  Even better if it’s filled with your favorites inside.

But there is a catch—there’s always a catch. Because while the groom’s cake is meant to represent you, the groom, you don’t get to pick it out.  No, as with most other elements of a wedding (and in many cases—a marriage too), it’s the bride who does the choosing.

Typically she’ll order it without you ever seeing the design.  You get no final input, approval or veto rights.  Feel free to drop hints or make suggestions. But, you’ll see it

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