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34 White Wedding Cakes for Every Kind of Celebration

Martha Stewart Weddings

34 White Wedding Cakes for Every Kind of Celebration

By Sarah Schreiber

Updated August 26, 2019

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Credit: Oliver Fly Photography

White confections often connote classic events—but they don't have to, as several of these pretty desserts prove.

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Credit: Oliver Fly Photography

As far as wedding traditions go, the ultra-white big-day confection tops the list. Traditional brides and grooms flock to the dessert style—after all, what's more classic than a treat made in weddings' signature hue? But here's the thing: White wedding cakes aren't just for traditional nuptials. In fact, they're often the most malleable and can be styled to cater to just about any event style, from contemporary and rustic to bohemian.

The white confection seen here (and several other iterations on the slides ahead!) is proof. Yes, the cake is white—but its cubic shape, neon sugar flowers, and unevenly sized tiers bring this Made In Cake masterpiece straight into the 21st century. Looking for other ways to make a white wedding cake feel more modern? Consider an intricate, abstract sugar lattice detail or single greenery sprig for a minimalist touch. If you consider yourself more of a romantic—and are planning a lush garden event—get creative with fresh florals. Work vibrant texture and color onto your dessert with flower sashes and toppers (or skip the fresh iterations and ask a calligrapher to hand-paint on a few, instead!).

Whatever event type you're planning, know that a white wedding cake is often a best blank slate and can be dressed up or down depending on your desired aesthetic. Of course, if you are preparing for a traditional affair, there's nothing better than a round white three-tier, piped to perfection with buttercream. Like with any other wedding-related decision, the choice is ultimately yours.

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Swivel Sprig

Credit: 2Brides Photography

Contemporary couples should bookmark this petite, minimalist two-tier. Liv Sandberg Cake Art added a single undulating greenery vine to the front of the confection, which was iced smooth with bright-white fondant.

Discover More of Our Favorite Modern Cakes

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Floral Texture

Credit: Brandon Kidd

A quick way to dress up a neutral dessert? Work in a subtle bas-relief details for texture, like My Sweet & Saucy did here by cutting miniature florals out of fondant and layering them vertically across three tiers. Two fresh peony blossoms completed the look.

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Abstract

Credit: Maria Lamb

If you're a contemporary couple hosting your nuptials at a modern art museum, consider adding a structural, artistic detail to your big-day cake. This duo did just that: A sugar bow-meets-flower hybrid added visual intrigue to the Sainte G. Cake Company confection; the trailing ribbon motif made the entire display feel wedding-ready.

See More Cakes with Bows

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Berry Sprig

Credit: Elisa Bricker

Here's a way to introduce a touch of barely-there color to your all-white confection: Mallory Joyce Design placed a sprig of berries onto the lip of this Maliha Creations' confection's first tier; the creation was then placed on a wooden slab and surrounded by matching berry details.

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Floral Sash

Credit: Sykim Photography

Or perhaps you're looking for a colorful topper or accent to tie your classic white two-tier into the rest of your wedding's décor. This Elise Cakes' dessert's fresh flower sash, provided by Echo Floral, connected the dessert to the rest of the floral décor at this White Blossom Events celebration.

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Beribboned

Credit: Joy Michelle

An easy way to upgrade your cream-colored confection? Loop a bow around its top-most tier, just like Catherine George Cakes did here.

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A Subtle Pattern

Credit: Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography

We love this this Fluffy Thoughts Bakery cake walks the line between classic and contemporary. It's piped first and top tiers feel decidedly classic, while the central layer, covered in romantic hand-painted florals, feels completely fresh.

See More Hand-Painted Cakes

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Petite Coconut Cream

Credit: Rustic White Photography

Not a huge cake fan, but still want to a pretty white confection to cut into during your reception? Bookmark this miniature dessert from Lush Cakery—it's just big enough for two (you'll have just a little left over for the cake smash).

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Poppy Accents

Credit: Katie Shuler

Sugar poppies lent a pop of color (pun intended!) to this Colin O'Dea Cakes confection. Though pretty, the dessert's floral work wasn't the first detail to wow us—if you look closely, you'll noticed that the multi-sized layers are actually embossed with a complementary poppy pattern, as well.

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Blackberry

Credit: Kurt Boomer

Now here's a white wedding cake that's about as minimalist as it gets. This treat's only detail? A single blackberry, perched carefully against the smooth top layer.

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White Sugar Lattice

Credit: Rustic White Photography

If you love contemporary design, then you'll want to bookmark this modern, abstract cake motif. Sugar and Slate created a intricate white sugar lattice, which was affixed to the front of a tall, thin three-tier. The overall look, however, wasn't too fashion-forward, thanks to the neutral, monochromatic color palette.

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Sugar Dahlia

Credit: Jasmine Lee Photography

It's pretty hard to believe that the lush, full dahlia on this A Spoon Full of Sugar Cakes confection isn't real—it's entirely made from sugar. The pretty accent dressed up the three-tier, which was texturized with stroked buttercream.

Even More Cakes with Sugar Flowers

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Texture

Credit: Callie Manion Photography

Speaking of texture, the lower half of this A White Cake (an aptly-named vendor, for sure!) creation was detailed with raised geometric accents (circles and diamonds).

Textured Wedding Cakes We Love

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Bohemian

Credit: Erich McVey

There's definitely a way to make a white wedding cake feel bohemian—you're looking at it. Butter Bali stacked three cubes on top of each other and covered them in a boho-inspired lace pattern, crafted entirely from fondant.

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Foxglove

Credit: Kate Osborne Photography

Use a floral detail to bring a moment of contrast to your cream-colored confection. Flour & Flourish placed round, bell-shaped foxgloves on top of this confection to juxtapose against its square composition (the blooms dotted pink centers and verdant stem added color, as well!).

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Unexpected Inspiration

Credit: Luna de Mare

Turn towards unexpected inspiration sources when ideating ways to enhance your neutral confection. This Frost It Cakery dessert's muse? The bride's subtle lace wedding dress.

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Fluted Edges

Credit: Elizabeth Warrick

There's something distinctly Old-World about soft, deckled-edged wedding-day details (we see this motif mostly on invitation suites and cakes!). Bookmark Batter Up Cakery's take on the trend if you're looking to bring some vintage romance to your own cake—the confection's fluted tiers and swirled bas-relief design are timeless.

See More Deckle-Edged Cakes

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Greenery Halo

Credit: Sposto Photography

Make like Sugar Bakers and bring fresh rustic vibes to your treat by circling it with a rose-studded greenery garland and topping it off with a similar posy.

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Credit: Pura Soul Photography

There are so many inspired details to glean from this unique take on the classic white wedding confection from Jasmine Rae Cakes: Note the mismatched cube tiers (one is a true square, while the other is more of a 3D rectangle!), framed bas-relief detailing, and petite sizing.

Even More Cube-Shaped Wedding Cakes

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Unique Flower Detail

Credit: Jose Villa

Adding fresh flowers to a confection isn't new—so switch up the floral varieties for a fresh take on this classic cake accent. This couple's Wildflour Sweets confection featured a slew of interesting blooms, all scavenged locally from their Colorado venue.

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Removed Floral Detail

Credit: Rachel May Photography

A floral detail, however, doesn't have to touch your confection at all to make a statement. This small arrangement was actually attached to the cake stand—not the cake's white micro-tier.

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Flower Vine

Credit: Connie Balluff Photography

The layered flowers on this Flour & Flourish treat appeared to grow out of the bottom tier. Recreate this idea if you're planning an organic garden event.

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Life Mimics Art

Credit: D'Arcy Benincosa

We love how the florals embossed onto this cake's white fondant reference the blooms surrounding the confection. Graceful Baker brought this minimal three-tier masterpiece to life; Sarah Winward provided the blossoms.

Trending Now: Bas-Relief Wedding Cakes

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Woodland Confection

Credit: Elizabeth Messina

If you're tying the knot in the forest, consider recreating this romantic confection, topped with a ring of purple posies from McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design. (Plus, this cake would be perfect for a bride wearing a flower crown, herself!).

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Neutral Nautical

Credit: O'Malley Photographers

Getting hitched near the sea, instead? This Midori Bakery confection featured ruffled fondant layers to simulate waves. Dried, papery botanicals recalled seafoam; a sturdy wooden piece referenced the surrounding driftwood.

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Gold Flecks

Credit: Jose Villa

Gold leaf flecks add the sweetest hint of shimmer to your confection, as evidenced by this elegant fondant-covered Megan Joy Cakes dessert. The layers alternated between molasses-spice and white butter cake.

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Super-Sized

Credit: A Bryan Photo

If you weren't already convinced that white cakes can make a statement, check out this six-foot-tall wonder by Melissa's Fine Pastries.

More Over-the-Top Wedding Cakes We Can't Get Enough Of

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34 White Wedding Cakes for Every Kind of Celebration

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Swivel Sprig

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Floral Texture

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Abstract

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Berry Sprig

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Floral Sash

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Beribboned

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A Subtle Pattern

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Petite Coconut Cream

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Poppy Accents

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Blackberry

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White Sugar Lattice

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Sugar Dahlia

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Texture

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Bohemian

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Foxglove

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Unexpected Inspiration

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Fluted Edges

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Greenery Halo

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Unique Flower Detail

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Removed Floral Detail

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Flower Vine

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Life Mimics Art

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Woodland Confection

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Neutral Nautical

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