22 Seasonal Wedding Cake Ideas for a Winter Wedding

These unique ideas take the cake.

winter wedding cake

Photo by Aster + Olive Photography

Your wedding cake might just be the most talked-about confection of your entire life. So it has to be good! And with so many styles out there, options range from simple, single tiers with minimal decorations to bold, decadent cakes, serving as a statement piece for your reception. And while many may assume that spring and summer weddings offer more creativity when it comes to cake design, with blush palettes and cascading florals, there are plenty of stunning, elegant ideas to incorporate into a winter wedding.

From bright winter whites to textured showstoppers, there's a winter wedding cake design out there for every couple. Read on for wedding cake ideas that will be the perfect addition to your cold-weather reception.

01 of 21

Add Pinecones

cake

Photo by James + Schulze

If you are tying the knot in the snowy mountains, pay homage to your landscape. This couple said "I do" in Colorado and accented their two-tier confection with fondant Aspen leaves. The scattered pinecones also add a beautiful wintery touch!

02 of 21

Make a Gingerbread House

gingerbread wedding cake

Photo by Rebecca Carpenter Photography; Cake by Chelsea Buns Cake Design

What is more wintery than a gingerbread house?! We love the idea of an epic gingerbread house wedding cake for a holiday nuptial. You could even use the gingerbread to recreate your venue or another destination you and your partner hold dear.

03 of 21

Bring the Floral Drama

winter wedding cake

Photo by Katelyn Mallett Photography

Putting flowers on a wedding cake is always a good idea. Even if you are opting for a tinier confection, don't be afraid to load up on some of winter's best blooms—we promise it will add a lot of drama!

04 of 21

Create a Frosted Pattern

wedding cake

Photo by Love is Rad

Use intricate piping to dress a white cake—but keep the icing white for a chic embossed look. In addition to the delicate lace pattern above, each tier was also dotted with pearls. Talk about classic and romantic!

05 of 21

Think Moody

winter wedding cake

Photo by Victoria Saint Martin; Planning & Design by Afton Events; Cake by Uncommon Confections

We love a winter wedding with a dark, moody color palette—and that includes the cake! Opt for a black and gold design accented with red florals to really make the confection pop.

06 of 21

Go for Gold Drips

winter wedding cake

Photo by Jennifer Nicole Photography & Films; Cake by A Piece of Cake & Desserts

Gold is always a chic choice for holiday-inspired soireés, and we especially love the dripping effect on each tier. Dot with pinecones and finish with a gold topper for a luxe display.

07 of 21

Choose Cascading Florals

winter wedding cake

Photo by Ashley Sara Photography

If you don't want to add real flowers to your cake, you can still achieve the same look with fondant flowers. Ask your baker to arrange the handmade decorations in a cascading pattern down each tier. Bonus points if the fondant flowers match the rest of your floral décor!

08 of 21

Keep It Simple

four tier wedding cake

Photo by Corrina Walker Photography

Sometimes a little greenery is all you need to elevate a white wedding cake. This couple chose to highlight creeping clematis and jasmine vine, but a few sprigs of pine would work just as well on each tier!

09 of 21

Make It Romantic

Wedding cake detail

 Photo by KT Merry

If you are hosting a winter wedding in a warmer locale, go the airy and romantic route with your wedding cake. For their winter nuptials in South Carolina, this real wedding couple dressed their dessert in fondant leaves and gold and pink accents. But our favorite detail about this cake is the flavor: sweet potato!

10 of 21

Go Bold With a Decadent Look

Layered chocolate drip cake with berries and figs

 Lindsey Roman Photography

Winter is all about rich, deep flavors and decadence. Consider bringing that concept into your wedding cake. This design from Lael Cakes incorporated rich flavors, decadent fillings, and luscious drips to add texture. Choose to have your cake topped with figs or seasonal fruits for a stunning look.

11 of 21

Stick With One Tier

Single tier semi-naked wedding cake with flowers on top

Kat Braman

It’s easy to think you have to go overboard with holly and other festive elements when it comes to decorations for your winter cake, but thankfully, photographer Kat Braman knows a thing or two about photographing cakes that are a little more toned down. “The perfect wedding cake for your winter wedding is both simple and sophisticated,” Braman says when describing this semi-naked carrot cake that showcases cream, blush, and white flowers. Don't be afraid to opt for simplicity when it comes to your day-of confection.

12 of 21

Make Your Bottom Tier Pop

winter wedding cake

Photo by Aster + Olive Photography

Who says each tier must look the same? Add a bit of color-blocking to your wedding cake by choosing a bold hue for your largest tier and a neutral shade for the rest.

13 of 21

Go With Winter White

All white wedding cake with cascading white flowers

Marcie Meredith Photography

“A winter wedding is the perfect opportunity to showcase an all-white cake with striking details, whether buttercream with real flowers or fondant with intricate sugar flowers like this one,” says Becca Atchison, creative director of Rebecca Rose Events. Elegant and refined, a white cake also won’t take away from any surrounding festive decor.

14 of 21

Consider a Seasonal Stand

Chocolate wedding cake with knitted sweater pattern

 Lindsay Skeins Photography

If you’re opting for a classic winter white cake, consider a colorful and detailed stand to incorporate a touch of festivity in your presentation. This festive cake from The Cake & The Giraffe paired one semi-naked tier with a seasonal knitted sweater look, topped with winter greenery and a pop of red. Pairing it with a textured gold stand brought all of the colors of the season together in a gorgeous way.

15 of 21

Add Festive Features

Winter wedding cake with pine cones

Julia Franzosa Photography

“Use subtle (or not so subtle) elements to bring the holiday season into your cake,” says photographer Julia Franzosa, owner of Julia Franzosa, who captured this pinecone-adorned cake for a festive holiday-inspired celebration.

16 of 21

Bring the Outdoors In

White wedding cake with mountain design

 Once West Photography

Play with outdoor features like snow-capped mountains and trees, and bring those details to your cake design. This cake design from Intricate Icings incorporated inspiration from snowy mountains to create a simple, winter design.

17 of 21

Embellish With Greenery

White wedding cake with greenery and red flowers

Megan Wynn Photography

For one couple’s San Francisco wedding, a classic white buttercream cake served as an elegant choice for their winter nuptials. “Add seasonal greenery for a subtle nod to the winter wonderland outdoors!” says Cassy Anderson, owner of Cassy Rose Events, who suggests complementing a moody winter color palette with dark and delicate blooms.

18 of 21

Think Outside of Red and Green

White wedding cake with gold detailing

Ryan Ray Photography

Any shade can be made wintery when paired with texture, design detail, and cozy elements. “A cake overlaid in subtle detail (like gold-veined marbling) can be winterized by accenting with lush winter greenery and a velvet linen,” says wedding planner Calder Clark. Opt for texture and detail but keep a neutral palette to make your cake a perfect example of the season.

19 of 21

Arrange an Assortment

Layered chocolate cake topped with pine cone and berries

Carrie Holbo Photography

Who says you have to choose just one cake design? “This bride and groom had a whole table of winter cakes,” says Kelly Cavanaugh, owner of Clementine Custom Events. Topped with snowy decorations and fresh fruits, each cake was an ode to the enchantment of the winter season.

20 of 21

Opt for a Holiday Color Palette

Three-tiered wedding cake with red florals

Photo by Sara Bee Photography

Aside from the vibrant red and green shades traditionally seen throughout holiday color schemes, consider varying hues in more saturated tones. “Nothing says ‘winter’ more than sweet treats and holiday hues!” says Demi Meeker, senior event sales manager at Cannon Green. “Get in the holiday spirit with a cake that features seasonal tones like burgundy and green, with added florals,” Meeker adds.

21 of 21

Play With Textures and Sizing

All white winter wedding cake with multiple textures

Christie Graham Photography 

Winter is all about textured, cozy sweaters and layered looks. Why not bring it to your cake? This cake from The Cake & The Giraffe incorporated multiple shapes and sizes of cake tiers, along with playful designs for a cozy, yet elegant, winter look.

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