Courtesy of Piece A Cake of North Carolina

“Jackson wants a groom’s cake in the shape of a giant armadillo. He’s got an aunt who makes them.”
“It’s got gray icing! I can’t even begin to think how you’d make gray icing.”
“People are going to be hacking into the poor animal that looks like it’s bleeding to death.”

Or something to that effect. (Forgive us if we get a few words out of order!)

You’ve seen the play or popular movie, Steel Magnolias, right? When Shelby marries Jackson, Jackson’s aunt makes him a gray armadillo groom’s cake (that they put in the garage during the reception, which makes the whole situation even funnier.) Yes, a groom’s cake. We’ve never considered the wedding cake to be made specifically for the bride, but we can see where some people would get that idea. We also know that not every groom is interested in planning their wedding so a groom’s cake is a nice tribute to him and his hobbies, whatever they may be.

Courtesy of Edible Artistry of North Carolina

The history of the groom’s cake is varied, but here are a couple of legends tied to it:
* Some historians say it dates to the 17th century and was for a long time a lost tradition that has seen a resurgence in the last several years.
*Other historians say that the groom’s cake is modern tradition, which likely originated in the Southeastern U.S. in the early 19th Century.
* It has been said that at one time the groom’s cake was actually the top layer of the wedding cake, but it was removed, soaked in brandy and preserved for the couple’s first wedding anniversary.
* Perhaps you’ve heard the old wive’s tale that if the single lady guests take a slice of the groom’s cake home and put it under their pillow they will dream of their future husband.

We think that a groom’s cake is a great way to incorporate some fun into the reception or perhaps even the rehearsal dinner, where it may be better enjoyed. The popularity of dessert and candy buffets, alongside the traditional wedding cake, make having a groom’s cake at the reception a kind of sugar overkill. Serving it at the rehearsal dinner, however, is a great way to include a special dessert in the festivities, and many brides may want to keep it a surprise for their husbands.

Courtesy of Lively Caking of Texas

When you’re a wedding planner and you have a bride who wants to either incorporate traditional customs into her planning or offer something special to her groom, a groom’s cake is a nice touch. Today’s bakeries and sugar artists can make almost anything, consider: sports logos, stadiums or gear; video-game covers or consoles; briefcases, outdoor equipment or even a stack of books. Anything is possible, and it’s easy to find a cake that represents the groom. The most important thing is to make sure the bride has fun choosing the cake! We’re sure that the rehearsal or wedding guests will be excited to see the bride’s (and your) creativity!