Wedding Cakes: How to Choose Between an Iced vs Naked Cake

Wedding Cakes: Iced or Naked, How Do You Choose Yours?

One of the most delicious decisions you’ll make during your wedding planning is choosing your wedding cakes! With so many styles, flavours, and trends emerging every season, it can be hard to know where to start.

As wedding photographers, we are lucky enough to see some incredible edible art. We make it a priority to capture your cake from every angle – from wide shots of the display to macro details of the sugar work – ensuring these memories feature beautifully in your wedding album. After all the effort you put into choosing the design, it deserves to be documented forever!

If you’re currently torn between a traditional iced wedding cake and a trendy naked wedding cake, here is a breakdown of what makes each style so special.

The Traditional Iced Wedding Cakes

The iced cake is a timeless classic. Whether you prefer a rich fruit cake or a light sponge, a fondant or buttercream finish offers a clean, elegant look.

• Structure & Stability: Iced cakes are typically more stable, allowing for multiple tiers (often 3 or more) with the right support.
• Creative Versatility: The smooth surface is a blank canvas for intricate piping, hand-painted designs, or delicate sugar flowers.
• Tradition: If you opt for a fruit cake base, tiers can be easily stored and kept for a future Christening—a lovely long-standing tradition.
• Modern Twist: You can even combine a small, iced tier with a tower of matching cupcakes for a contemporary feel.

The Rustic Naked Wedding Cakes

Naked cakes (where the icing is omitted from the outside to show the layers of sponge) have become a staple for rustic barn weddings and marquee celebrations.

• Natural Beauty: There is something incredibly appetizing about seeing the layers of sponge, jam, and buttercream peeking through.
• The “Healthier” Feel: While still a treat, these cakes are often considered a lighter, less sugary option compared to heavy fondant.
• Seasonal Styling: They look breathtaking when dressed in seasonal fresh berries, figs, or wildflowers that match your bouquet.
• A Note on Stability: Because they lack the “shell” of fondant, they can be more sensitive to heat and humidity. They are best assembled shortly before the reception!

Photographer’s Tip: The Cake Cutting

When you’re choosing your cake, think about its location. We love to photograph the cake in a spot with great natural light or a clean background. Whether it’s a tiered masterpiece or a rustic sponge, make sure it’s placed somewhere where your guests (and your photographer!) can truly appreciate the detail.

Our Approach: We often use different angles of the cake to create a beautiful collage design on an album page. It’s those little details – the texture of the icing or the dusting of sugar on a berry – that really tell the story of your wedding day aesthetic.