60 Uniquely Southern Wedding Cakes

Photo by Kate Headley
Simple or extravagant, wedding cakes are always showstopping. Take inspiration from these classic and modern wedding cakes to make your very own everlasting creation.
Start Slideshow

1 of 61

Hand-Painted Wedding Cake

Photo: Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Wedding cakes can be simple or extravagant creations. Showcase an iconic Southern flower with a hand-painted design that feels more like a piece of stained glass than a wedding cake. Even the three-dimensional blossom on top is edible.

Love It? Get It!
Maggie Austin Cake; 202/448-2920

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 61

Monogrammed Wedding Cake

Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Go with an old Southern favorite and monogram your cake with the bride and groom's initials. Dressed in ivory and white, the look is updated by skipping a topper.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Cakes Patisserie; 205/746-4427

3 of 61

Vibrant Green Wedding Cake

Photo: Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Turn up the volume on a classic Southern flower—the spring-blossoming dogwood—by pairing it with icing in a vibrant shade of grass green. Jan Moon of Dreamcakes designed this cake with another twist: oval layers, instead of traditional round ones.

Love It? Get It!
Dreamcakes; 205/871-9377

Advertisement

4 of 61

Sugared Anemones Wedding Cake

Photo: Yvette Roman Photography

Purple and white sugared anemones give the cake a modern touch.

Love It? Get It!
Vanilla Bake Shop; 310/458-6644

from the wedding of Lynh and David Wong

5 of 61

"Just Peachy" Wedding Cake

Photo: Kate Headley

Peaches were used to decorate this three-tiered wedding cake, which was placed on an overturned peach basket.

Love It? Get It!
The Artful Cake; 301/305-3272

from the wedding of Betsy Dail and Hunter Rawley

6 of 61

Wedding Cake Trio

Photo: Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Skip a single, tiered cake and, instead, place smaller ones at each table for guests to cut themselves. It's perfect for a casual affair and has an added benefit—the cakes double as beautiful centerpieces.

Love It? Get It!
Maggie Austin Cake; 202/448-2920

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 61

Ombre Effect Wedding Cake

Photo: Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Incorporate details from your dress and bouquet into the cake, as Washington D.C. artist and pastry chef Maggie Austin did here. Tiny hydrangea blossoms sit atop layers of buttercream icing, reminiscent of a ruffled bridal gown.

Love It? Get It!
Maggie Austin Cake; 202/448-2920

8 of 61

Cupcake Tower

Photo: Gemma Comas and Jim Franco

Treat guests to a luscious tower of cupcakes, where the display is as fanciful as the flavor. Try this idea at a colorful, outdoor wedding. Ask your bakery if they design cupcake pedestals, like this moss-covered one, or try making your own.

Love It? Get It!
Dreamcakes; 205-871-9377

9 of 61

Toasted Meringue Wedding Cake

Photo: Katie Stoops

As an alternative to frosting or fondant, try covering a vanilla wedding cake with toasted Swiss meringue.

from the wedding of Keli and Nick

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 61

Vintage Stamp Wedding Cake

Photo: Kate Headley

Vintage stamps were reproduced on this wedding cake, and an antique suitcase was used as a cake stand to produce a vintage feel.

Love It? Get It!
Design Cuisine; 703/979-9400

from the wedding of Alison Noelker and Chris Vinciguerra

11 of 61

Five-Tier Wedding Cake

Photo: A Bryan Photo

This towering five-tier wedding cake was frosted to look unpretentious, and covered in pink and white flowers.

Love It? Get It!
Jackie Brown of Gracious Goodness Cake Co.; 706/534-1374

from the wedding of Caroline Estopinal and Clark Brewer

12 of 61

Blush-Colored Wedding Cake

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Instead of an all-white wedding cake, try covering your cake with blush-colored peonies.

Love It? Get It!
The Cake Stand; 843/991-4446

from the wedding of Caroline Bell and Jon Stowe

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 61

Polka-Dot Wedding Cake

Photo: Alisa Lynn

The polka-dots on the grosgrain ribbon inspired the dotted pattern on the cake.

Love It? Get It!
Ivy Davis of Icing Illusions; 334/395-4444

from the wedding of Hayley Todd and Charlie Sells

14 of 61

Daisy Wedding Cake

Photo: A Bryan Photo

Adding cascading daisies is the perfect touch for a spring wedding.

Love It? Get It!
The Royal Cakery; 504/246-2065

from the wedding of Beth Lundell and Josh Garver

15 of 61

Berry Wedding Cake

Photo: Jen Fariello

The wedding cake, decorated with berries, was part of the reception's dessert bar.

Love It? Get It!
Hot Cakes; 434/295-6037

from the wedding of Leigh Burwell and Scott Beal

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 61

Eight-Tier Wedding Cake

Photo: Liz Banfield

This wedding cake towers with eight tiers and an intricate floral motif.

Love It? Get It!
Maples Wedding Cakes; 615/867-2229

from the wedding of Beth and Graham Patterson

17 of 61

Climbing Vines Wedding Cake

Photo: Adrienne Page

Delicate green vines climb the four-tiered wedding cake.

Love It? Get It!
Jim Smeal; 843/795-6114

from the wedding of Katie Washburn and Duston Mason

18 of 61

Cultural Wedding Cake

Photo: Whitney Lee

A chocolate cake was decorated in gold hues to reflect the traditional cultural elements.

Love It? Get It!
Matty Cakes Austin; 512/751-3067

from the wedding of Keya Jayaram and Tom Dannenbaum

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 61

Modern Floral Cake

Photo: Melanie Mauer

Tiny rhinestones adorn the modern floral cake.

Love It? Get It!
The Sugar Forest; 859/881-0887

from the wedding of Julie Knorr and Tony Youssefi

20 of 61

Rustic Wedding Cake

Photo: Sharon Clark

In lieu of renting a traditional cake stand, the couple opted for a tree stump to keep with the rustic, countryside setting.

Love It? Get It!
Laura Wells of All Things Sweet

from the wedding of Katherine Baggott and Brian Hetherington

21 of 61

Cupcake Tower

Photo: Michael Howard

A tiered wooden tower held chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cupcakes.

Love It? Get It!
Gigi's Cupcakes

from the wedding of Anna Krueger and Joe Thomas

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 61

Black and White Wedding Cake

Photo: Kate Headley

The couple had a four-tiered black and white wedding cake and a music-themed groom's cake that the groom designed himself.

Love It? Get It!
Celebration Cakes; 703/371-3247

from the wedding of Jessica Glenn and Eric Hallstrom

23 of 61

Raspberry-Filled Wedding Cake

Photo: Cooper Carras Photography

The pastry chef at The Greenbrier prepared the three-tiered cake with raspberry filling.

Love It? Get It!
Cake & Catering: The Greenbrier, greenbrier.com

from the wedding of Catherine and Greg

24 of 61

Floral Confection Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

A white gum paste ranunculus and stephanotis and piped vines and leaves were used to decorate the cake. The base of each layer has a triple beaded border.

Love It? Get It!
Maples Wedding Cakes; jay@jayqualls.com

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 61

Best Dressed Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

The bottom two layers of the cake are covered with a fondant ruffle made to look like the skirt of a wedding gown, and a lace mold was used to create the lace on the top three tiers of the cake, to mimic lace on a gown's bodice. A Tiffany blue gum paste bow and band resembles the sash on a wedding gown.

Love It? Get It!
Maples Wedding Cakes; jay@jayqualls.com

26 of 61

Vine in Bloom Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

The design of the wedding invitation was the direct inspiration for this cake with a flowering vine, hand piped on the three layers of the cake. The large sugar flower, in full bloom, adds a touch of beauty and sweetness.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Sensations; 770/252-9117

27 of 61

Pearl Perfection Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

The design of this wedding cake remains simple and not too fussy but also has an element of glamour to it. A pearl accent creates additional texture on the rest of the cake.

Love It? Get It!
Maples Wedding Cakes; jay@jayqualls.com

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 61

Pretty Platinum Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

White pairs with the metallic gray base fondant on this cake. Using white gum paste, flower petals were softened on the edges, making the petals very thin and delicate. The petals and the base fondant were brushed with pearl luster dust that turned to a platinum look.

Love It? Get It!
Maples Wedding Cakes; jay@jayqualls.com

29 of 61

Cameo Appearance Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

The design for the wedding cake was taken from the bride's vintage style wedding gown. Each layer was encircled with a small ruffle, and the keepsake cameo was added to the sugar bow for an inherited touch, perfect for a wedding at home.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Sensations; 770/252-9117

30 of 61

Sleek and Chic Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

This tall, narrow four-tiered cake evokes a sophisticated, nighttime city wedding. Inspiration was drawn from a slipcovered chair for the circular embellishments. The brooch adds a touch of Art Deco style. It shows how simplicity can still make a big statement.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Sensations; 770/252-9117

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 61

Sugar Magnolia Wedding Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

The buttery yellow fondant swag, like a piece of fabric, adds an accent for the pair of sugar magnolia blossoms on this striking three-tiered cake—an elegant, perfectly Southern wedding cake.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Sensations; 770/252-9117

32 of 61

Swirled Wedding Cake

Photo: Gayle Brooker Photography

Swirled yellow buttercream adorned the simple wedding cake.

from the wedding of Meredith Richter and Dave Powell

33 of 61

Basketweave Pattern Wedding Cake

Photo: Kate Murphy Photography

A basketweave pattern adorns this wedding cake, along with garden roses.

Love It? Get It!
Cake: Dessert Designs, dessertdesignsbyleland.com.

from the wedding of Ann Stewart and Pearson

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 61

Farm-Style Wedding Cake

Photo: Austin Gros

The cake rested on a block of wood harvested from a family farm.

Love It? Get It!
Cake: Jay Qualls, Maples Wedding Cakes, jayqualls.com or jay@jayqualls.com

from the wedding of Julie and Josh

35 of 61

Summer Peach Wedding Cake

Photo by Peter Frank Edwards

This simple, two-tiered confection is covered with blush-colored buttercream and embellished with a bold budding patterm. The large white buttercream flowers give this cake a romantic look and the scalloped cake stand mimics the vertical piping. Matching the background icing with the cake stand is an easy way to add color to the table.

Love It? Get It!
Jim Smeal; 843/795-6114

36 of 61

Pear Wedding Cake

Photo by Abby Jiu

The two-tier pear cake with blackberry-and-white chocolate buttercream was accented with life-like peonies to match the bride's bouquet.

Love It? Get It!
Maggie Austin Cake

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 61

Dainty and Divine Wedding Cake

Photo by Gemma Conas and Jim Franco

Take your favorite flower and run with it. Small pink blossoms spill down the sides of this tiered buttercream-frosted cake.

Love It? Get It!
Sweet Cakes Patisserie

38 of 61

Classic Floral Wedding Cake

Photo by J. Rawlings and CWF Photography

The dotted four-tiered cake was topped with a beautiful hydrangea arrangement. The figurine beside the cake was a gift from Amanda's sorority sisters at one of her bridal showers.

Love It? Get It!
Cecilia Villaveces Cakes

39 of 61