50 Beautiful Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost!) Too Pretty to Eat

Dessert tables may have gotten more diverse in recent years—think donuts, ice cream sandwiches, and cupcakes—but there's still nothing quite like a wedding cake. Classically white or boldly contemporary, reception confections aren't going away anytime soon. And we have to say, we're relieved. Take one cursory look at the beyond-gorgeous wedding cake ideas you're about to see, and you'll feel the same way.

From hand-painted creations and deckle-edged masterpieces to drip cakes and treats adorned with fresh flowers, the following confections represent the best real weddings have to offer. They also represent incredible talent, on behalf of the inimitable bakers that make it happen—just one more reason to choose your wedding cake vendor wisely! Whatever the wedding type, these cakes were the focal point of the reception. Some brought the pretty on the color front, with punchy magenta fondant, ombré moss-green layers, and printed floral designs. Others were simple and refined, thanks to sponged metallic details, fresh flowers, and ripe fruits.

The following wedding cake ideas are all different in many ways, but united in one: They're almost too pretty to slice into. While that adorable cake eating photo and the promise of delicious dessert make that cut necessary, these sweet eats are about to give you a whole new perspective on wedding cake. By the time you're finished through, you might stop referring to your confection as "cake," and begin describing it at "art."

This incredible dessert, made by Paper Heart Patisserie, looked like peeling sheets of Carrara marble, speckled with gold.

Flour and Flourish used moss, oversized blooms, and sugar leaves to connect this confection back to its woodsy surroundings.

At this three-day destination wedding in Portugal, guests received individual versions of this textured four-tier by T Bakes.

Pastel-hued sugar flowers—how lifelike is that anemone?—and a gold-topped tier made this Hey There, Cupcake! beauty the talk of the dessert table.

A trail of miniscule gold-covered blooms brought this plush-looking cake into subtle relief.

WOW Factor's brush stroke-inspired cake incorporated this event's color palette—teal, lavender, blush, yellow, marsala, and ivory.

T Bakes strategically layered fondant on the first tier of this beauty, creating a crepe-effect that deepened from pale green to pine.

Beveled edges gave a modern feel to this illustrated confection.

This deckle-edged cake got the barest hint of color thanks to a blue-green moment and sprig of fresh flowers.

The sugar vines coming off this picturesque wedding cake perfectly matched the hand-painted 2D ones.

This adorable two-tier treat made by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes took on a sophisticated air thanks to a watercolor floral crest.

The deckled edges of this pale mint wedding dessert were lined in shimmering gold.

Exaggerated strips of true blue fondant brought texture to this masterpiece. If you look closely, you can see the fine white flowers hand-painted throughout.

An intricate hand-painted rose vine dressed up this white confection, simultaneously tying it back to the dahlia and rose centerpieces.

Tiny gold beads outlined the tiers of this crisp and clean confection by LoveCakes.

Painted stripes of icy blue, see-through sapphire, and inky jet tied this Las Vegas Custom Cakes creation back to the couple's snowy Nevada venue.

Gold-dripped figs topped this tall ombré confection by Sugary and Chic.

The inspiration for this two-tiered Amy Cakes confection was the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz.

Spotted with yellow kumquats and wrapped with leafy greens, this cake was the definition of natural.

The Cake Whisperer created this masterpiece using grayed jade fondant, herbs, sugar flowers, and gold accents.

The bride's laser-cut lace wedding dress was the inspiration for this Hey There Cupcake! creation.

Beverly's Bakery combined two major wedding cake trends for this bride's confection, with a naked-style base and drip accent.

Inky black and adorned with sugar flowers, this cake, by Cupcakes and Counting, could have been plucked straight from a fairytale.

A botanical illustration, outlined by an ornate gold "frame," brought vintage vibes to this Honey Crumb confection.

A delicate feather garland and sugar lace detailing were elegant touches on this dusty-blue wedding cake, by Megan Joy Cakes.

Halved figs offered a punch of peachy pink to this barely-frosted cake by Dream Cakes.

Hey There Cupcake! used a dark and stormy floral print to transform her two-tier into a work of art.

This smudged gray and cream Hey There, Cupcake! confection looked as if were carrying a bouquet of its own.

As if wedding cake wasn't sweet enough, the bride and groom opted for candied and sugared fruits as the confection's toppers.

Tuscan Wedding Cakes dotted their gold-dipped dessert with bright fondant strawberries for a destination wedding in Italy.

This fade-to-blue beauty was the perfect example of elegant simplicity.

Lauren Kitchens of Fancy Cakes by Lauren used watercolors and silver cake paint to bring this floral beauty to life.

This blue-gray two-tier was dressed up with blueberries and peachy pink blooms.

A cake with slivers of blue, gray, and yellow looked lovely topped off with a greenery crown.

Elongated crystal stalks in shades of crimson, pink, and jet tied this Hey There Cupcakes! confection's blush first-tier to its black marbled second and third.

A palm leaf instantly transformed a moody gray confection into a destination wedding dessert.

Fresh roses and ranunculus brought dimension and color to this beauty, while a monogrammed cake topper added height.

We loved how the hand-painted florals on Sugar Lane Cake Shop's petite three-tier were artistic representations of the fresh ones used on top.

Gray-dusted ruffled edges brought a decidedly vintage vibe to this unique confection.

Spikey blue thistles contrasted prettily against the metallic gold leaf of this Sablee masterpiece.

Patty Cakes created this little confection—complete with a chocolate drip, gold designs, and white flowers—for a vow renewal.

A single in-bloom cactus made this simple confection ready for a desert wedding.

Layered Bake Shop decorated this bluish-gray, leather-inspired cake with peonies, roses, and sprigs of greenery.

While this white cake was decidedly simple, it's unique shape—elongated oval tiers, a departure from the traditional narrow and vertical style—made it stand out.

Fresh purple-hued flowers and a topper by Laura Hooper Calligraphy made this Sweet Heather Anne confection the star of the reception

The focal point of this Earth and Sugar confection was the lush maroon sugared bloom and textured greens accenting.

The only frosting on Frost It Cakery's creation may have been between the layers, but the stunning garden flower topper made any other accent—edible or decorative—unnecessary.

This small wedding cake was decorated with the colors most often associated with love.

Gold foil, cascading blooms, and a fresh floral topper added flair to this nearly-naked confection by Hollyhock Cakes.

A gold fondant laurel wrapped around this smoky-colored cake by Frost It Cakery. Fresh flowers and pomegranates offered a pop of color.