THE WEDDING CAKES WE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT
5 trends we're rating for fall, with a little help from our partners and experts at Joanie & Leigh's Cakes.
Wedding cake trends have a funny way of coming back around.
The elaborate piping we once associated with our parents' wedding albums? Cool again. Sheet cakes? With the right zhuzh, somehow one of the most stylish things you can put on a wedding table now. Metallic finishes. Abundant fruit, flowers and herbs that spill into the tablescape, or cakes assembled right in front of your guests... we're seeing couples have a lot more fun with dessert.
And while the looks we just mentioned couldn't be more different, here is exactly what they have in common: the ultimate 2026 wedding cake trend is making it your own.
Choose something that matches you, your partner, and the energy of your celebration, and have fun with it.
There's always room to work a little seasonal magic into the mix though. Think richer colors, interesting textures, abundant fruit, unexpected florals, herbs, and all the little details that can turn dessert into part of the overall design of an event.
The goal here is to find wedding cakes that unapologetically take up a little space and a lot of creativity and fall energy. So, for today, we're leaving the simple white cake behind and looking at desserts that feel a little more like edible works of art.
And instead of simply showing you what's trending and why we can't stop thinking about these particular trends, we thought we'd make things a little more interesting...
We're rating them!
Let's Rate Some Cake
We picked five wedding cake trends we're seeing everywhere right now and asked our experts at Joanie & Leigh's Cakes to help us judge them.
For each one, we'll look at a real cake, hear what the experts have to say, and give it a score based on:
The Look ★★★★★
How much of a moment does it make?
Creativity ★★★★★
Does it bring something unexpected to the table?
Fall Energy ★★★★★
How much do we want to see it at a fall celebration?
Then we'll talk about how you could take the inspiration and make it completely your own.
But first, meet our judges.
Joan Spitler and Leigh Grode have been making some seriously memorable cakes together since 1998.
Originally known as Cake Divas, the duo built their reputation around original wedding cake designs, over-the-top artwork, and one-of-a-kind desserts.
Their work has appeared everywhere from Vogue and Martha Stewart Weddings to film and television. They worked with Diane Keaton as baking coaches for Because I Said So, created the iconic "EAT ME" cake and other Mad Hatter treats for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, and their creations have appeared in Bridesmaids, You Are Cordially Invited, and the upcoming film Behemoth!
We've also been lucky enough to see their cakes make an appearance at celebrations right here at The Oviatt.
So who better to help us talk cake?
ROUND ONE: The Sheet Cake
The Look ★★★★★ | Creativity ★★★★★ | Fall Energy ★★★★★
Forget the sheet cake hiding in the kitchen.
The new wedding sheet cake wants everyone to see it.
Long, low cakes stretching across a table have become a design moment of their own. Decorated with fruit, florals, piping, candles, or a beautifully imperfect layer of frosting, they're less about towering tiers and more about making an impact horizontally.
JOANIE & LEIGH'S VERDICT
The long sheet cake is modern and fun, especially for those who want to do something non-traditional and appealing. These cakes can become an interactive experience by including candles for the couple to blow out, or adding extra berries or cocoa sprinkled on the spot instead of a traditional cake cutting. Biscoff cookie butter cake, or fruit laden decor are all great choices for Autumn.
Make It Fall
This is where we can have some fun.
Imagine a long ivory-colored cake running down the center of a table, covered in figs, dark grapes, pears, berries, or edible flowers. Or take it in a completely different direction with deep burgundy piping, or warm-toned florals.
The sweet side: Plenty of room for decorating and easy to portion.
The catch: It needs room. If you want a dramatic long cake, make sure the table and surrounding styling can seamlessly become part of the design too.
ROUND TWO: Vintage Opulence
The Look ★★★★★ | Creativity ★★★★ | Fall Energy ★★★★
More piping. More swags. More bows. Maybe even a couple of tiny swans.
More is more, and suddenly, the wedding cakes of decades past are looking very good again.
Elaborate buttercream, columns, lace-inspired details, vintage toppers, and just enough kitsch are making their way back onto wedding tables, giving the ornate cakes of the '70s and '80s a very welcome comeback.
JOANIE & LEIGH'S VERDICT
The vintage style is timeless and always works , especially at a venue like the Oviatt. We love how this trend is turning slightly more modern, with less emphasis on perfection and a little messier vibe. Think Wuthering Heights loose romanticism rather than full Victorian lambeth. This style is great for a one tier cake, or a multi tier extravaganza! For Fall, pairing a classical piped cake with sugared fruits, or a warm flavor choice are wonderful. Salted caramel with pear or sweet potato with brown sugar cream cheese are delicious.
Make It Fall
This style gets especially good when you move away from traditional white.
Think buttercream, champagne, dusty blue, chocolate brown, burgundy, or a warm pale peach. Add pearls, bows, darker fruit, or a vintage topper. All of a sudden, grandma's wedding cake has a very 2026 point of view.
The sweet side: Tons of personality and practically made for instagrammable moments.
The catch: There's a fine line between intentionally nostalgic and simply dated. A great cake designer makes all the difference.
ROUND THREE: Heavy Metal
The Look ★★★★★ | Creativity ★★★★ | Fall Energy ★★★★★
Silver wedding cake? We're listening.
Metallic and pearlescent finishes are showing up on wedding cakes in a big way in 2026, from subtle pearlized buttercream to cakes covered almost entirely in silver, gold, or bronze.
And against The Oviatt's Art Deco interiors? We don't need much convincing.
JOANIE & LEIGH'S VERDICT
Metallic accents in warm tones look great, especially for Fall and Winter, paired with deep jewel tones. We love a rich overflowing floral cake with renaissance or deco vibes. If you like things more minimal, a touch of gold leaf can elevate the look. We suggest keeping the accents in one tone for the best effect.
Make It Fall
Fall is where metallics can get really interesting.
Bronze and antique gold naturally feel warmer, while silver paired with chocolate brown, burgundy, plum, or dark florals creates something moodier and a little unexpected.
You don't have to coat the entire cake either. Metallic piping, edible pearls, painted details, or one statement tier can be enough.
The sweet side: It doubles as décor.
The catch: Metallic is already a statement, so the surrounding styling may need to quiet down and let the cake have its moment.
ROUND FOUR: Make Your Own Cake
The Look ★★★★★ | Creativity ★★★★★ | Fall Energy ★★★★★
What if cutting the cake wasn't the whole show?
One of our favorite wedding cake ideas right now turns dessert into part of the entertainment.
Inspired in part by Italian millefoglie traditions, couples are finishing their cake together during the reception, adding cream, berries, powdered sugar, or other toppings while their guests gather around.
It's a little messy. It's interactive. And that's exactly the point.
JOANIE & LEIGH'S VERDICT
Interactive cakes and large dessert tarts are on trend and very impressive. Adding your sprinkle of cocoa to a 3 foot tiramisu, or berries on top of a massive mille feuille is a show stopper. Even if you have a smaller wedding party, a more diminutive version of a dessert creates a warm feeling with your guests by adding the final touches yourself. Tiramisu towers in champagne glasses, sharing one of your favorite desserts , or creating a gelato and cake station are great ways to make the evening unique to your own style.
Make It Fall
Swap summery berries for figs, pears, grapes, blackberries or whatever seasonal ingredients work with your flavors.
And don't worry about making it perfect.
A cake you finish together isn't really supposed to look like it came straight out of a display case.
The sweet side: Dessert becomes an actual wedding memory instead of another item on the timeline.
The catch: This one requires planning. Your baker and coordinator need to prepare the cake, ingredients, tools, table, and timing so your spontaneous-looking cake moment doesn't require actual improvisation.
ROUND FIVE: Wait... That's the Cake?
The Look ★★★ | Creativity ★★★★★ | Fall Energy ★★★★
Tiramisu Dessert Tower | Cheese Wheel Cake Photo: Carlo
And now we're breaking our own rules.
Because your wedding "cake" doesn't technically have to be cake.
Stack beautiful wheels of cheese like traditional cake tiers, add figs, grapes, herbs, edible flowers, or seasonal fruit, and suddenly the cheese course looks ready for its wedding portrait.
For couples who will choose savory over sweet every single time, we think this deserves a place at the table.
JOANIE & LEIGH'S VERDICT
Your wedding “cake” doesn’t have to be sweet, if you want to go with stacks of cheese, or savory butters and bread piled up in a nod to the tradition, we say you do you!From a cake maker’s standpoint, we do feel like some of your guests will be looking for a real slice of wedding cake or dessert, so keep this in mind. It’s always good to have a cake or cupcakes around for those people who literally wait for the wedding cake.
Make It Fall
Honestly, this one practically does the work for you.
Cheese, figs, pears, grapes, nuts, herbs, honey, beautiful bread and crackers already feel like fall gathered onto a table.
The sweet... or savory side: It's unexpected and very easy to make personal based on flavors you actually love.
The catch: If your guests are expecting dessert, don't leave them hanging. Pair it with smaller sweets, pastries, or another dessert option so everyone gets their happy ending.
So, How Do You Actually Choose Your Wedding Cake?
Trends are fun. Eating samples of cake in the name of "wedding planning" is even more fun.
But your wedding cake still has to work for your celebration.
So before we let Joanie & Leigh go, we asked them a few questions we think every couple should consider before settling on the one.
How should couples balance a cake they love visually with flavors their guests will actually enjoy?
We say you should always pick something that you love for your wedding cake. If you are choosing a very specific flavor that may not please everyone, have a second option on another tier for diversity.
When should couples start talking to their baker, and what should they already know before that first conversation?
Don’t worry about being fully prepared when you call. Your baker should be able to ask you questions and get a sense of what you may need. You should provide the estimated guest count, date and location. If you have specific ideas in mind already, let them know in order to get accurate quotes. The cake tasting should be enjoyable and a fun part of the wedding planning. Most people book their wedding cake 3-6 months prior to the wedding.
How much should the rest of the wedding design influence the cake?
These days, there is a lot of room for things that don’t match and are a little more eclectic. Pick a design you love, and incorporate a color or flowers on the table to tie it together with everything else.
What's one thing couples often don't think about when choosing their wedding cake, but should?
Think about choosing a small business for your bakery rather than a large chain. The care and heart that a small business has can really give that extra attention to your special day.
And finally: if you were designing the perfect cake for a fall wedding at The Oviatt right now, what would you make?
The perfect fall cake for The Oviatt this year would be a salted caramel cake iced in dark chocolate with gold leaf and pomegranate decor.
Ready for Something Sweet?
Feeling inspired? That's the sweet spot.
One of the benefits of celebrating at The Oviatt is having access to talented professionals who know our venue and know their craft.
Partners like Joanie & Leigh's Cakes bring years of experience to the table while staying tapped into what's fresh, fun, and happening in weddings right now. Whether you're dreaming about five tiers of vintage buttercream, one very long sheet cake, or something that isn't technically cake at all, we'll help connect you with the right people to figure out the delicious details.
Explore our wedding packages or reach out to our event team to start planning your fall celebration.
We'll save you a slice. In return, you just have to tell us your favorite fall flavor.
