Wedding cakes have long been a symbol of love, celebration, and opulence. From towering creations adorned with sugar flowers to simple yet elegant designs, these confections have played a central role in weddings across the centuries. But some cakes have captured the public’s imagination far beyond their delicious layers.
This post takes you on a trip through history, highlighting 12 of the most iconic and famous wedding cakes that have stood the test of time. Whether you’re planning for your big day or simply fascinated by history, these legendary cakes are sure to inspire awe.
1. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Wedding Cake (1840)
When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, they set the stage for many wedding traditions, including the use of a lavish wedding cake. Their cake stood at over 9 feet tall and featured intricate sugar figures representing the couple. This was also one of the first cakes to feature white icing, which became known as “royal icing” in honor of the queen. At the time, white icing signified wealth and purity due to the high cost of refined sugar.
2. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s Cake (1947)
Princess Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip, shortly after World War II, called for a magnificent celebration. Their cake was a spectacle, towering at 9 feet and weighing over 500 pounds. Known as the “10,000-mile cake,” its ingredients were contributed by Australians as a gesture of goodwill. Decorated with family emblems, cherubs, and intricate piping, this cake embodied post-war hope and unity.
3. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s Golden Anniversary Cake (1997)
When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary, the cake commemorating the occasion mirrored the grandeur of her original wedding cake. Made by McVitie’s (a longstanding British dessert company), the cake was simpler but filled with symbolism. It reflected a lifetime of love and service while marking a significant royal milestone.
4. John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s Cake (1996)
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s wedding was a closely guarded secret until the headlines revealed its details. Their understated yet chic wedding cake reflected the couple’s modern style. It was a simple ivory cake adorned with fresh flowers, perfectly matching their minimalist aesthetic and signaling a shift toward simpler, more natural cakes.
5. Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s Cake (1981)
Few weddings have garnered more attention than the union of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Their wedding cake, 5 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, consisted of multiple tiers of traditional British fruitcake. Decorated with the royal family’s coat of arms and the couple’s initials, this cake remains iconic. Interestingly, one of the cake slices fetched over $2,500 at an auction decades later!
6. Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Cake (2011)
A hallmark of sophistication and tradition, Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding cake was an eight-tier fruitcake adorned with 900 intricate sugar flowers. Made by Fiona Cairns, the cake featured delicate details, including roses and daffodils representing the national emblems of the United Kingdom. The royal wedding also introduced a second cake, a chocolate biscuit cake requested by William, reflecting his childhood favorite dessert.
7. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Cake (2018)
Breaking from tradition, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry opted for a lemon elderflower cake instead of the conventional fruitcake. Created by pastry chef Claire Ptak, the cake was layered with Amalfi lemons, elderflower syrup, and buttercream frosting, giving it a modern twist. Decorated with fresh flowers, the cake symbolized the couple’s fresh approach to tradition.
8. Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly’s Cake (1956)
Hollywood met royalty with the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Their six-tier wedding cake was topped with a spinning replica of the royal couple and featured Alpine scenes hand-carved into the cake’s sides. This was a true embodiment of old Hollywood glamour merged with royal sophistication.
9. Donald Trump and Melania Trump’s Cake (2005)
The wedding of Donald and Melania Trump was as extravagant as you might expect. Their wedding cake stood at 7 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. Made of Grand Marnier chiffon, it was covered in 3,000 hand-spun sugar roses. The opulent cake cost an estimated $50,000, reflecting the luxurious tone of the entire event at Mar-a-Lago.
10. Victoria Beckham and David Beckham’s Cake (1999)
The Beckhams said “I do” in a lavish castle in Ireland, and their wedding cake was no less extravagant. It was a three-tier masterpiece, topped with a miniature figure of the couple in full wedding attire. The cake reflected their flair for combining romance with celebrity style, marking the beginning of their status as a power couple.
11. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s Cake (2008)
When Ellen DeGeneres married Portia de Rossi, their vegan wedding included a sophisticated vegan red velvet cake. Decorated in blush and white, the design exuded understated elegance, reflecting their intimate ceremony. The choice also highlighted their shared values of compassion and sustainability, setting a precedent for other couples with similar lifestyles.
12. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’s Cake (2011)
Kim Kardashian’s marriage to Kris Humphries might not have lasted, but their wedding cake is still talked about. At a staggering 10 feet tall and weighing about 600 pounds, the black-and-white, multi-tiered cake was a bold statement of extravagance. With flavors like chocolate chip marble and buttercream frosting, it embodied over-the-top Hollywood flair.
Timeless Inspiration from Wedding Cakes
These 12 stunning cakes show how this central wedding feature has evolved—from a symbol of royal luxury to a platform for personal expression. Whether you prefer traditional elegance or modern customizations, these cakes prove that the possibilities are endless.
If you’re dreaming up a show-stopping design for your big day, take inspiration from these iconic creations. And if you want to make your cake truly unforgettable, consider contacting Bloomsbury Bakers and infusing details that reflect your unique story!