 |
| HOW THE CHARM CAKE
TRADITION GOT STARTED... |
| (Also called Victorian
Wedding Cake Charms, a Bridesmaid Charm Cake, Cake Pulls
or Ribbon Pulls) |
| What a romantic
Victorian era tradition
to make your wedding grand! The custom of "ribbon
pulling" dates back to time of
Queen Victoria (as do most of our wonderful
wedding traditions).
A bride would hide small charms (distinctive symbols of
romance, love, friendship, memorials, etc.) attached to
satin ribbons within the icing of her wedding cake.
The bride would have each of her bridesmaids (as well as
other important women in her life) pull a charm from the
cake before it was cut. It was believed each charm
had a special meaning, a bit of advice, or would
foretell the future in luck, romance, fortune, etc. |
| The deep south (especially
in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana) loves the
tradition of incorporating cake charms into the wedding
celebration. Brides from the deep south tell me no
wedding is complete without the cake pull event (also
called a charm cake)...especially a
New Orleans wedding. |
| |
| HOW TO USE CAKE
CHARMS AS PART OF YOUR EVENT... |
| Traditionally, the
bride's attendants (even friends, children, family
members can participate) assemble behind the cake, along
with the bride and groom, at the wedding reception.
The ribbon-pulling ceremony takes place just after the
cake-cutting ceremony, but prior to cake-serving.
Each person takes a turn and pulls a ribbon from the
cake. The charm's meaning is revealed. Some
couples like to have the ribbon-pulling ceremony prior
to the cake-cutting - it's your wedding, do what you
want! |
| If you like the idea
of the ribbon-pulling ceremony, but do not want it to be
part of the wedding reception - consider having a small
cake made with the ribbon pulls for your bridal
luncheon/tea/brunch, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower.
Some brides even opt to have a small bridesmaid charm
cake in addition to the main wedding cake. |
| Today, charm cakes are
being included in showers, birthdays, afternoon teas,
confirmations, Quinceanera celebrations, bat mitzvahs,
holidays, etc. - any event involving a cake! Charms make
perfect party favors for your guests and they have a
keepsake charm as a remembrance of the event.
Brides, make your bridesmaids' charm more
special...start a charm
bracelet for them! |
| If you want to pull
the charms out of your wedding cake at the reception,
consult with your cake-maker and let her hide the charms
when assembling and icing the cake. I would not
recommend you trying to insert the charms yourself into
your wedding cake. Do not bake the charms inside
of your cake. It is easiest to have the ribbons
draping from the back of the wedding cake. This is
the best photo opportunity set-up for the ribbon-pulling
ceremony. |
| The charms are easy to
hide under the bottom layer of a cake with only the
satin ribbons delicately streaming from underneath the
cake - around the perimeter. The charms can also
nest between the cake layers while the cake is being
frosted. Some bakers hide the charms under plastic
film to protect the cake decoration. Let your
cake-baker know your preference and she can make
recommendations, too. |
| |
|
Take a look at charm cake
pictures and ideas... |
| |
|
Email Us
or Call our 24-Hour Answering Service at 1-210-858-9561 |
|
|
|
Next Page... |
|
Go to
Cake Charms Menu
Page |
