One decidedly American tradition at many weddings is the Groom’s Cake. Although to some it may seem counter to the whole idea of a wedding as a union to have a separate cake for the bridegroom, it turns out that there is a history behind it.
According to some food historians, the practice of having a second cake for the groom may have originated in England. If that is the case, the practice failed to catch on. It did however become popular in the Southern US during the 19th Century. In recent years it has seen a resurgence, and at least half of the weddings I have been to in the South have included a Groom Cake.
According to some food historians, the practice of having a second cake for the groom may have originated in England. If that is the case, the practice failed to catch on. It did however become popular in the Southern US during the 19th Century. In recent years it has seen a resurgence, and at least half of the weddings I have been to in the South have included a Groom Cake.
Another story is that he is to serve a piece to all the single women at the wedding. They then put the cake under their pillow and will dream of their future husband that night. Again – no cake for the guys, and one crumbly mess for a lot of women! An alternative tradition is that the Groom Cake is to be served at the rehearsal dinner, which is typically paid for by his family. Other couples give pieces of the Groom Cake to guests to take home as a wedding favor. 
Whatever the origins of the cake, it has now taken on a life of its own and is very much regarded as a cake for the bridegroom, designed to reflect his interests. Weddings I have been to have included Groom Cakes in the shape of a laptop and an Egyptian pyramid, complete with custom made frosting to match the exact color of the Great Pyramids of Giza! Flavors range from chocolate to meat! While some wedding etiquette experts insist the cake should be made by the groom’s mother, most are professionally made these days.
Fiona Young-Brown
