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."
01of 50
Marble Leaf
This incredible dessert, made by Paper Heart Patisserie, looked like peeling sheets of Carrara marble, speckled with gold.
Discover More Elegant Marble Wedding Ideas
02of 50
Barely Blush
Flour and Flourish used moss, oversized blooms, and sugar leaves to connect this confection back to its woodsy surroundings.
03of 50
Subtle Texture
At this three-day destination wedding in Portugal, guests received individual versions of this textured four-tier by T Bakes.
04of 50
Blush, Lavender, and Gold
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.
Discover Incredible Dessert Tables from Real Weddings
05of 50
Tiny Accents
A trail of miniscule gold-covered blooms brought this plush-looking cake into subtle relief.
06of 50
Brush Strokes
WOW Factor's brush stroke-inspired cake incorporated this event's color palette—teal, lavender, blush, yellow, marsala, and ivory.
07of 50
Green Ombré
T Bakes strategically layered fondant on the first tier of this beauty, creating a crepe-effect that deepened from pale green to pine.
08of 50
Asymmetrical
Beveled edges gave a modern feel to this illustrated confection.
09of 50
Barely-There Color
This deckle-edged cake got the barest hint of color thanks to a blue-green moment and sprig of fresh flowers.
10of 50
Dimensional Vines
The sugar vines coming off this picturesque wedding cake perfectly matched the hand-painted 2D ones.
11of 50
Floral Crest
This adorable two-tier treat made by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes took on a sophisticated air thanks to a watercolor floral crest.
12of 50
Gold-Tipped
The deckled edges of this pale mint wedding dessert were lined in shimmering gold.
Love Deckled Edges? Check Out More Cakes That Use the Trend
13of 50
Cerulean
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.
14of 50
Lifelike
An intricate hand-painted rose vine dressed up this white confection, simultaneously tying it back to the dahlia and rose centerpieces.
15of 50
Feminine
Tiny gold beads outlined the tiers of this crisp and clean confection by LoveCakes.
16of 50
Winter Color Scheme
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.
18of 50
Emerald City
The inspiration for this two-tiered Amy Cakes confection was the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz.
19of 50
Kumquats
Spotted with yellow kumquats and wrapped with leafy greens, this cake was the definition of natural.
20of 50
Mint and Gold
The Cake Whisperer created this masterpiece using grayed jade fondant, herbs, sugar flowers, and gold accents.
21of 50
Dress Up
The bride's laser-cut lace wedding dress was the inspiration for this Hey There Cupcake! creation.
22of 50
Baby Blue Drip
Beverly's Bakery combined two major wedding cake trends for this bride's confection, with a naked-style base and drip accent.
A Wedding Trend We're Loving Now: Drip Cakes
23of 50
Black Beauty
Inky black and adorned with sugar flowers, this cake, by Cupcakes and Counting, could have been plucked straight from a fairytale.
See More Cakes with Sugar Flowers Too Pretty to Eat
24of 50
Green Scene
A botanical illustration, outlined by an ornate gold "frame," brought vintage vibes to this Honey Crumb confection.
25of 50
Feathered
A delicate feather garland and sugar lace detailing were elegant touches on this dusty-blue wedding cake, by Megan Joy Cakes.
26of 50
Fresh Figs
Halved figs offered a punch of peachy pink to this barely-frosted cake by Dream Cakes.
27of 50
Moody Blooms
Hey There Cupcake! used a dark and stormy floral print to transform her two-tier into a work of art.
28of 50
Cascading Florals
This smudged gray and cream Hey There, Cupcake! confection looked as if were carrying a bouquet of its own.
See More Wedding Cakes Covered in Fresh Flowers
29of 50
Sugared Fruits
As if wedding cake wasn't sweet enough, the bride and groom opted for candied and sugared fruits as the confection's toppers.
30of 50
Berries
Tuscan Wedding Cakes dotted their gold-dipped dessert with bright fondant strawberries for a destination wedding in Italy.
31of 50
Blue Ombré
This fade-to-blue beauty was the perfect example of elegant simplicity.
32of 50
Watercolor
Lauren Kitchens of Fancy Cakes by Lauren used watercolors and silver cake paint to bring this floral beauty to life.
33of 50
Slate Blue
This blue-gray two-tier was dressed up with blueberries and peachy pink blooms.
34of 50
Crowned
A cake with slivers of blue, gray, and yellow looked lovely topped off with a greenery crown.
35of 50
Crystals
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.
36of 50
Palm Leaf
A palm leaf instantly transformed a moody gray confection into a destination wedding dessert.
Check Out More Wedding Cakes Perfect for a Beach Wedding
37of 50
Floral Sash
Fresh roses and ranunculus brought dimension and color to this beauty, while a monogrammed cake topper added height.
38of 50
Fresh and Faux
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.
More Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence
39of 50
Ruffled Vintage
Gray-dusted ruffled edges brought a decidedly vintage vibe to this unique confection.
40of 50
Gold and Thistles
Spikey blue thistles contrasted prettily against the metallic gold leaf of this Sablee masterpiece.
41of 50
Chocolate Drip
Patty Cakes created this little confection—complete with a chocolate drip, gold designs, and white flowers—for a vow renewal.
42of 50
Cactus
A single in-bloom cactus made this simple confection ready for a desert wedding.
43of 50
Blues and Blooms
Layered Bake Shop decorated this bluish-gray, leather-inspired cake with peonies, roses, and sprigs of greenery.
44of 50
Wide Confection
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.
45of 50
Purple Play
Fresh purple-hued flowers and a topper by Laura Hooper Calligraphy made this Sweet Heather Anne confection the star of the reception
46of 50
Burgundy Sugar Flowers
The focal point of this Earth and Sugar confection was the lush maroon sugared bloom and textured greens accenting.
47of 50
Floral Naked
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.
48of 50
Pink and Red
This small wedding cake was decorated with the colors most often associated with love.
See More Colorful Wedding Cakes
49of 50
Gilded
Gold foil, cascading blooms, and a fresh floral topper added flair to this nearly-naked confection by Hollyhock Cakes.
Even More Naked Cakes You're Bound to Love
50of 50
Gray and Gold
A gold fondant laurel wrapped around this smoky-colored cake by Frost It Cakery. Fresh flowers and pomegranates offered a pop of color.
See More Wedding Cakes that Are Covered in Fruit