orange wedding cakes

Do you have an affinity for bright, sunny colors? Are your friends always describing you as someone who likes things to be a little different? If warm hues and a non-traditional approach to wedding cake is what you’re looking for, then an orange wedding cake may be just the confection for you. The term “orange cake” may refer to any number of different approaches. The cake may be considered “orange” because it is decorated with orange piping; it could be trimmed and topped with orange flowers; the entire cake could be enrobed in orange buttercream or fondant; or the cake tucked beneath the pretty exterior may even be orange-flavored.

Some of the most beautiful cakes utilize a light and deft touch when it comes to using color. Rather than covering an entire cake with a strong color, and thus potentially ending up with a pastry centerpiece that is more gauche than glamorous, your cake artist may steer you toward accenting with a shade of orange. For instance, he or she may suggest a pleasing dot design, utilized with a light touch. Or, for the bride who would like a little more color, a heavier hand with scrollwork might be a pleasing effect. Another option, one that has become very popular, is a Mehndi design, inspired by the henna tattoos that are traditional for brides in Indian culture.

Should you prefer not to have buttercream decorations in orange, but would still like to use the color in some way on your cake, you may consider garnishing or topping the cake with orange flowers. Many flowers are available in warm hues, ranging from pale yellow to deepest orange red. Some of the most popular orange flowers used to decorate cakes include roses, gerbera daisies, lilies, and orchids. Flowers can be fresh or made of gumpaste, and can transform an otherwise plain and traditional cake into a centerpiece that demands the attention of your guests. Orange also complements brown nicely, thus making orange flowers a natural choice for garnishing a chocolate groom’s cake.

For the bride and groom who truly cannot get enough of this bold color, the entire cake can be enrobed in orange-tinted buttercream or fondant. Again, with such a bold color choice, it may be wise to mock up a sample of what the cake would look like. Consider asking your baker to prepare a six-inch replica of the final cake (for a fee, of course) to ensure that you are both happy with the result, and that your idea of the final color matches the idea of the baker.

Finally, an orange cake may not refer to the outside of the cake at all, but rather the inside. Recipes abound for orange cakes of all textures, from pound cakes and genoise, to chiffon and cheese. Orange filling is another terrific option for the couple who prefers this ubiquitous citrus fruit, and like the colors of orange and brown coordinate, so do the flavors of orange and chocolate. The foodie bride may also choose to lace her buttercream or mousse filling with a hint of Grand Marnier, the potent orange flavored brandy liqueur favored by pastry chefs.

In summary, if you like orange, by all means, celebrate this festive, happy color, and use it. With its natural ability to marry well with other strong colors, such as hot pink, purple, or even blue, the daring bride cannot go wrong when using this warm and happy hue.