Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross may have been the centre of attention at their star-studded engagement party last week, but guests were also drawn to another highlight of the night — the engagement cake.
While parties to celebrate your imminent nuptials have been a tradition in the US, they're only just catching on in the UK. Cake makers have found a gradual demand for engagement cakes, which are usually one or two-tiers and not as extravagant as the one for the wedding.
Inside Ashlee and Evan's lavish engagement party
"We have had a lot of recent requests from people asking, 'How can we extend our weddings, so that it's more than just one day?'" Joe Blackman, CEO of wedding planners Collection 26, told HELLO! Online. "One of the first suggestions we always make is do something spectacular for your engagement party.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to start thinking about the wedding, getting everyone excited, and also making you think about little elements you can reveal to guests as hints about what style the wedding might be.
"When we look at engagement cakes, we always suggest our couples reflect elements of their personality into the cake, or try and reveal some of the colours, textures or flowers that may be included in the overall wedding design."
"If you're thinking of placing your initials on the cake, like Ashlee and Evan, try and keep the font or design of this similar throughout the rest of your wedding stationary," said Joe from www.Collection26.com. "Being consistent and thinking about the guests' journey from engagement party through to the wedding is an essential factor in good wedding design.
"People can spend as much on an engagement cake as a wedding cake, and I have even seen people spend more! It's really important to think about the wedding cake however — how will your wedding cake and engagement cakes be different or unique in what they are?
"I like the idea of having a part of the engagement cake that perhaps is brought forward onto the wedding cake too, if they are the same style. Perhaps this is the top tier, or perhaps it's just design and styling elements of the cake. Also, remember an important part of choosing a cake is taste testing — so be sure not to miss out on two sets of opportunities to indulge!"