20 Trending, Simple and Rustic Wedding Cakes
Not everyone likes pomp and circumstance which is why simpler, more rustic weddings are becoming increasingly popular.
Instead of big ballrooms, done up to the nines, couples are choosing secluded forest glades, or rustic barns for their ceremonies.
They’re swapping huge floral arrangements and big bouquets for smaller, more natural bunches or sprays.
As for the cakes, gone are the huge, royal icing covered fruit cakes. Instead, couples are opting for a rustic vibe with plenty of bare sides. Sponge cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts are finding their way into the wedding cake world which is awesome!
As with any break from tradition, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where we come in!
We’ve put together a list and appraisal of 20 of the top trending simple and rustic wedding cakes. Hopefully, you’ll find some inspiration in our list!
Naked Cakes
Naked cakes don’t have an outer layer of frosting or icing. This means that the layers of cakes and fillings can be seen. These cakes are all the rage for natural, rustic, or rural weddings. The unfinished, less polished look is perfect in natural or rustic settings.
These cakes can be finished with sprigs of greenery, flowers, or fresh fruit. They look equally gorgeous without extra decoration.
There are varying degrees of nakedness, with some cakes having a rough crumb coat applied and others without a touch of frosting.
Block Colors
If you want smooth edges and a bit of color, but no fuss, then choosing a block color wedding cake could be an excellent choice.
These cakes look simple and elegant, but don’t look overly fussy or polished like your traditional wedding cakes.
To add an extra rustic feel, you could go for an ombre or marble color effect. These look artfully unfinished like the naked cakes which makes them feel more rustic and natural.
If you’re having a larger wedding and need a cake with a couple of tiers, you could go for different shades or perhaps have one tier colored to make a statement.
The rough, ruffled icing around the outside of the cake looks fancy but not overdone.
It’s a great way to add texture and depth to the cake without making it look too formal or finished.
Decorated with Greenery
Rustic vibes are all about getting back to nature and bringing nature into your wedding. A simple but effective way of doing this is to use shrubbery and greenery to decorate your wedding cake.
It works better than using floral arrangements because it doesn’t feel quite so manufactured or domesticated. A few sprigs on the cake tiers or base almost look like they fell there naturally.
A great way to make this trend your own is to use greenery from your bouquet or location. If you’re getting married in a forest setting, consider using ferns or leaves that grow naturally. If you’re getting married in a vineyard, grape leaves make excellent decorations.
Always check with your florist or cake maker about which plants are safe to use around food. You want your cake to look beautiful, but it also needs to be edible!
If you want to add a splash of color, you can use fruits and berries alongside the greenery. This also adds an extra delicious dimension to your cake!
Berries and fruits are an excellent choice for fall or winter weddings where flowers are in shorter supply.
You can match the fruits to your color scheme or go bold with bright citrus fruits and rich red berries.
Other Cakes
If we’re bucking traditions, we might as well go the whole hog and get rid of the wedding cake altogether! Many couples are swapping the tiered cake for collections of desserts instead.
You could go for a stack of your favorite donuts, a tower of cupcakes, or a buffet of tray bakes! Whatever you choose, you can personalize and tailor your cakes with coloring, decorations, and the way you display them.
Using traditional cake stands creates a bit of a village fête feel. It looks absolutely beautiful and is really easy to achieve. You only need to visit Goodwill for plenty of cheap and cheerful cake stands!
Final Thoughts
If you’re going for a natural, rustic feel then you want to choose cakes, desserts, and decorations that feel homemade. You’re aiming for the ‘rough and ready’ look but not the ‘my toddler made this with their eyes closed look.’
Avoid fine details or technique heavy designs. Instead, opt for broader, less detailed designs. Asymmetrical or random placements tend to look more rustic than heavily ordered placements.When it comes to topping your cake, the usual well-dressed figures have gotten the boot.
Instead, couples are opting for banners, signs, and greenery. These are less formal and more fun than your booted and suited wedding cake couple!
Finally, when it comes to rustic wedding cakes, the name of the game is natural. Lashings of fruit, greenery, and sometimes flowers are the best way to make your cake look and feel rustic.
You want to avoid it looking overly orchestrated. Instead, opt for a more natural draping of the vine leaves or a random heaping of the berries.
Hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration for your dream cake within this article. If not, follow the rules above, and you’ll easily achieve the simple, rustic cake of your dreams.
