15 Unique Wedding Cake Ideas

A couple of acrylic dividers can lend the illusion of floating tiers to an elegant cake.

Want a truly original wedding cake? Ditch the cake. If you’re more into savory than sweet and tend to opt for the cheese board over the dessert bar, pick a few cheese wheels and stack them for a wedding cake look-alike.

Think of fondant as the baker’s canvas. The smooth surface can be painted on and transformed into just about anything, including an intricate scene of stained glasswork.

Take color blocking to a new level with metallics and set it off with a cake stand that’s a totally different hue. 

A staircase cake has tiers stacked on top of each other with their edges lined up, rather than aligned in the center. It’s a good alternative to the traditional style without having to switch things up too much.

If you and your partner are jet-setters or if you’re planning a destination wedding, a few luggage-inspired tiers would be perfect.

Childhood sweethearts with some tree carving in your past? Honor it with a whimsical tree stump cake that can be put on display in addition to or in place of a more traditional confection. 

It’s amazing what some bakers can do with fondant—give them a few highlights from your relationship, such as major vacations or proposal details, and we bet they can suggest a truly special design

Were you drawn to your partner through a mutual love of a movie, book or hobby? Incorporate it into the cake design. If the cake is designed in all white you can add as many elements as you want without it being distracting.

An ombré design in a subtle pastel hue is eye-catching but not too over the top. Pair it with some modern geographic elements and the whole thing comes together for a very unique presentation.

Who said you can’t add props? This hot air balloon design doubles as an awesome cake topper and a totally unique cake design.

One element when applied en masse makes just as much of a statement as a bunch of small details combined.

Square tiers are a great alternative to the classic round ones. It’s unique, but won’t be too much of a shock to your grandparents.

Want some sugar flowers? Look to what’s in season during your wedding for a natural way to incorporate your surroundings into the cake.

Tie in your favorite sport, or the colors of your alma mater team if you’re college sweethearts. If the look of a baseball-themed cake is a little too alternative for you, ask your baker if they can design a half and half cake: traditional in the front and party in the back (so to speak).