The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Luxury Wedding Cake in Devon & Cornwall
The dramatic coastlines of Devon and Cornwall offer a truly romantic setting for your wedding. There's something uniquely special about a coastal wedding, from the calming sound of the waves and the subtle sea air to the possibility of barefoot vows and a lovely reception with a gentle sea breeze.
Your wedding cake can perfectly complement this enchanting atmosphere, reflecting the beauty of your surroundings with your own personal style. Whether you're drawn to ocean blues, tropical flowers, or natural textures, we've put together a collection of beach-inspired wedding cake design ideas to spark your imagination and hopefully help you find the perfect design for your coastal wedding.
SHADES OF BLUE
Pale aquamarine wedding cake with sea coral to complement the coastal wedding theme.
A blue cake can also be a truly stunning centerpiece, especially with the right shade. Picture hues of aquamarine, sea glass, misty grey-blue, or even a deep navy, perhaps expressed in subtle gradients across the tiers. Blue pairs beautifully with neutral tones such as sand, ivory, or white, creating a lovely beachy contrast. Metallic accents like gold foil or bronze-painted shells can also complement blue beautifully. For a beach wedding cake, using blue in this way provides a bold yet sophisticated nod to the sea, moving beyond more literal interpretations.
UNDER THE SEA
Picture a wedding cake adorned with delicate coral branches, charming sugar starfish, and intricate seashells, creating a wonderfully romantic underwater dream. These exquisite details can be meticulously crafted from fondant and painted in soft shades of pink, champagne hues, or a shimmering mother-of-pearl finish to evoke an elegant, ocean-inspired fantasy. For a sophisticated touch, consider artfully arranging these elements at the base of each tier rather than covering the entire cake.
Coral and sea-shell centrepieces to match the wedding cake.
ALL ABOUT THE PEARLS
White fondant cake decorated with an abundance of beautiful sugar pearls @ Ocean Kave, Westward Ho!
Pearls bring a timeless and romantic touch to cake design and offer surprising versatility. Whether you envision a soft, matte buttercream or a sleek, fondant finish, incorporating pearl details subtly hints at the coast without being overtly beach-themed. Consider making a statement with larger sugar pearls or opting for the delicate charm of tiny pearls cascading like fine jewelry. A pearl-embellished cake offers a refined oceanic ambience, making it a wonderful choice for couples desiring an elegant yet sea-inspired design.
PLAY WITH TEXTURE
Explore abstract and elevated textures drawn from the natural elegance of windswept cliffs, seafoam, and coral. Incorporating texture allows you to craft a finish that can range from soft and whimsical to more sharply defined or featuring beautifully ruffled structures. The result is a bespoke cake that transcends the traditional dessert, becoming a true edible sculpture.
To further highlight these unique textures, envision a refined colour palette of all-white or subtle blue/teal ombre tones. This design approach is particularly well-suited for couples with an appreciation for modern and artistic aesthetics.
Fondant ruffle design drawing inspiration from the colour of the sea, incorporating ombré shades of teal through to white to reflect the ocean's hues. The texture mimics the look of gentle waves, creating a sense of movement and fluidity across the cake.
FRESH FRUITS & BERRIES
A beautiful and delicious option for a coastal wedding cake could feature a scattering of fruits or fresh berries. Imagine the vibrant colours and textures of raspberries, fresh figs, passionfruit halves, or blackberries cascading over white buttercream. This approach would bring a sense of colour, freshness, joy, and delightful texture, making it perfectly suited for a summer wedding..
Semi-naked wedding cake decorated with fresh berries @Sandy Cove Hotel, Ilfracombe
VIBRANT FRESH FLOWERS
Semi-naked wedding cake decorated with fresh flowers and figs @Watermouth Cove, Devon
Fresh tropical flowers such as orchids, hibiscus, frangipani, anthurium, or calla lilies would make stunning accents for a beach wedding cake. When used sparingly, they can really elevate the design and create a sense of exotic romance. Consider pairing them with a minimalist, natural-looking semi-naked cake to make them truly stand out. For a more dramatic look, cascading these beautiful blooms down the side of a tall-tiered cake can create a modern, maximalist feel!
ROMANTIC COASTAL-CHIC
For a coastal-chic wedding cake perfect for spring and summer, imagine delicate pastel-hued flowers and greenery. This romantic floral look is especially beautiful during peony season, from late spring to early summer. Clusters of dreamy pastel peonies, hydrangeas and roses can really bring a rustic wedding cake vision to life with a touch of natural coastal charm.
Pastel-toned florals for a romantic, coastal-chic wedding @SandyCoveHotel
The beauty of a barely-there semi-naked cake lies in its simplicity, offering a wonderful base for all kinds of decorations. To elevate this look, floral additions work wonderfully. Alternatively, for a stylish twist, consider changing up fresh blooms for locally-sourced edible flowers to highlight the natural coastal setting.
Buttercream wedding cake decorated with pressed and fresh edible flowers @Tawstock Court