🍰 Sweet Traditions, New Twists: Rethinking the Wedding Cake

Wedding traditions are evolving — and that includes the beloved wedding cake...

Wedding traditions are evolving — and that includes the beloved wedding cake. While many couples still dream of that classic moment of cutting the cake together, others are choosing to skip it altogether in favour of something a little more them.

At Lightning Hill Estate, we’ve seen all the delicious variations — from towering buttercream cakes to donut walls, cheese towers, gelato carts, and even no desserts at all! So the big question is: should you have a wedding cake?

Let’s explore both sides.

🍰 The Case For Having a Wedding Cake

1. It’s a Timeless Tradition

That moment of cutting the cake — hands intertwined, smiling for the camera — is a wedding classic. It’s symbolic, sweet (literally), and makes for a lovely photo opp.

2. A Beautiful Styling Piece

A wedding cake can be a showstopper. With the right design, it becomes part of your décor — especially at Lightning Hill Estate, where a garden backdrop or rustic wine barrel base makes it pop.

3. Dessert + Drama in One

A tiered cake can double as your dessert. Plus, it adds that little bit of ceremony to the reception flow — guests love to gather and watch the cut.

4. You Can Personalise It

Whether it’s a traditional fruit cake, fun flavour layers (hello, lemon and elderflower!), or completely vegan/gluten-free — there are so many ways to make your cake reflect you.

🚫 Reasons You Might Skip the Wedding Cake

1. You’re Just Not Cake People

Let’s be honest — if you’re not into cake, why have one? If it’s not something you’re excited about, there’s no rule saying you need to.

2. Budget-Friendly Alternatives

Wedding cakes can be pricey — especially multi-tiered custom creations. If you’d rather spend that money elsewhere, there are lots of fun (and tasty) alternatives.

3. It Sometimes Goes Uneaten

After a big meal and dancing, guests may not have room for dessert — and we’ve seen more than one gorgeous cake go mostly untouched.

4. You Want Something Different

Modern couples are getting creative:

Donut towers
Cupcake spreads
Mini dessert buffets
Cheese wheels with crackers and fruit
Gelato or coffee carts...the options are endless and just as memorable.

💡 A Few Fun Compromises

Small ceremonial cake + other desserts: Have a small cutting cake just for the moment, then serve other sweets for guests.
Fake tiered cake + sheet cake: Style the display, but serve simple slices behind the scenes — guests won’t know the difference!
Cake-cutting as a private moment: Skip the public slice and enjoy a quiet cake moment just the two of you after the chaos settles.

🍾 At the End of the Day…

It’s your wedding — you get to decide what traditions to keep and which to reimagine.

At Lightning Hill Estate, we’ll help you style and serve whatever makes your hearts happy. Whether that’s a towering cake with cascading florals or a gelato cart rolling in during golden hour, we’re here to make it special.

Cake or no cake — your wedding will be sweet either way.

Need recommendations for local cake designers or alternative dessert options? We’ve got a list we love — just ask 💛

Do we have to have a wedding cake?