Stratford University Offers Tips On Wedding Cake Trends

Each year, over two million weddings take place in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And at most of those weddings, guests will enjoy a traditional piece of wedding cake. Over the years, great-tasting wedding cakes have been a staple, but their overall look has changed quite a bit. Wedding cakes, like most things, follow their own trends. Keeping up on those trends can help brides-to-be choose their best option.

"There are many new, fun wedding-cake trends this year," says Chef Charleen Huebner, Bakery and Pastry Arts Program Coordinator in Stratford University's culinary and hospitality department. "It seems, each year, as if the cakes get more creative and unique. It's really interesting to keep up on what is popular."

Wedding cake trends for 2010 include:
� Initials. Having the married couple's initials monogrammed on the side of the cake.
� Artistic. Choose your favorite famous painting and have the wedding cake decorated with it, using edible paints.
� Height. Many people are opting for taller cakes, up to seven tiers high.
� Matching dresses. A big trend matches the cake decoration to the bride's-maid dresses. Another option is to have lace and ruffles.
� Being green. As people increasingly see the merit in joining the green movement, there will be many green and eco-friendly options in all aspects of wedding planning.
� Going 3-D. Another trend in wedding cakes is for 3-D accents to be a part of the cake's decoration and design.
� Nature. Many people are opting for nature themes, which can include using fresh fruits, such as berries, as cake toppings.
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� More than cake. A trend in wedding cakes is to lose some of the cake and opt for other tasty treats. Many people are choosing a tree of mini desserts, such as cheesecake, tarts, and brownies.
� Renting. In this economy, many people are looking for ways to save on their wedding. There is a new trend for wedding parties to rent a mock wedding cake for display and serve a budget-friendly sheet cake that is cut and plated in the kitchen.
� Go faux. Another trend for saving money on the wedding cake, which can typically cost $600-700, is to have just the bottom one or two tiers be faux. This will allow the cake to look great for pictures, but should help bring the cost of the cake down quite a bit.
� Cupcakes. Again this year, many people will be opting for cupcake-style wedding cakes. These designs are fun and can be topped with the couple's monogram.

"This year, people are also getting bold with the colors they choose for their cake," says Chef Huebner. "There are many great options out there. It's a really fun time to be a bride and have the chance to choose from all these beautiful cake designs."

Stratford University offers a variety of degrees in culinary arts and hospitality management. Degrees offered include advanced culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hotel and restaurant management, and hospitality management.

About Stratford University:
Stratford University operates campuses in Tysons Corner and Woodbridge. It offers 30 undergraduate and graduate degrees in the areas of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Health Sciences, Nursing, Business Administration, and Information Technology. The degree programs are offered both on campus, as well as online. For more information on Stratford University, please visit www.stratford.edu.
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Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Marriage and divorce.