Simple Two-Tier Wedding Cake Designs for Your Big Day
Whether you’re having a small wedding or you’re just not the biggest cake fans, sometimes a simple, pared back wedding cake is the best choice for you. Two-tier wedding cakes can be so elegant, but don’t have the fussiness and presence of towering, multi-tiered cakes. These cakes are a great fit for any couples who don’t need a ton of cake, but can still make a statement.
Want to make your own cake? Shop Erin’s favorite cake baking and decorating tools here.
Why Should You Get a Two-Tier Wedding Cake?
There are tons of different reasons why a couple may choose a smaller, simpler cake. You may be working with a smaller budget, you may be having a reception that’s more informal or earlier in the day, you might be serving other desserts as well or don’t really care for cake. All of these reasons are totally valid. And just because you’re going with a simple wedding cake design that doesn’t mean it won’t still be beautiful. A two-tier wedding cake is plenty of cake to create a custom design to complement your overall vision.
All of the cakes in ECBG’s Cake Shop can be made into two-tiered masterpieces, but the most fitting option is White Wedding. It’s a sweet, chic and elegant cake that’s semi-customizable, so you can select the right flavors and fillings for your unique celebration.
Our Favorite Flavor Combinations for Your Two-Tiered Wedding Cake
Your wedding cake design may be simple, but that doesn’t mean the cake flavors have to be boring! Between the cake, filling, and buttercream, you have ample opportunity to use a combination of flavors that pack a punch. Here are a few of our favorite combinations that are classic and timeless, but so delicious:
Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, & Champagne: A classic vanilla bean cake paired with a luscious strawberry champagne filling (or frost the whole thing with champagne buttercream) is light, refreshing, and perfect for spring and summer weddings.
Lemon & Raspberry: Zesty lemon cake with a tangy raspberry filling gives a bright and fruity contrast that’s both elegant and unexpected.
Chocolate & Salted Caramel: Rich, decadent chocolate cake layered with silky salted caramel buttercream is a match made in heaven.
Espresso & Hazelnut Praline: A sophisticated combo featuring coffee-infused cake with a nutty, caramelized praline filling. It’s something a bit unexpected.
Honey & Almond: A sweet, delicate cake that combines the floral notes of honey with the warm, nutty flavor of almond—perfect for a chic, garden-inspired wedding. Honey and almond are the perfect contrast.
Coconut & Passionfruit: A tropical-inspired pairing that’s light, flavorful, and ideal for a beach or destination wedding.
Spiced Apple & Brown Butter: A cozy, autumnal favorite featuring spiced apple cake with a rich brown butter frosting—it’s like apple pie in cake form.
Red Velvet & Cream Cheese: Red velvet cake is a classic wedding cake flavor that never goes out of style—fluffy red velvet cake with tangy cream cheese frosting is always a crowd-pleaser.
Design Inspiration for Two-Tier Wedding Cakes
Romantic Florals: Whether you’re using fresh flowers, pressed flowers, hand-painted flowers, or buttercream flowers, a floral motif will give your cake a touch of natural beauty and whimsical romance. For a cohesive look, go for flowers and greenery that coordinate with your bouquet, but make sure you’re using food-safe flowers.
Subtle Sophistication: Want something super simple and minimalist? Consider a smooth, polished buttercream finish topped off with a ribbon (it could even be a fondant bow), or a few delicate sugar flowers for an upscale look that’s far from ostentatious.
Textural Elements: Adding texture like ruffles, lacy patterns, geometric designs, or edible pearls can make your cake look really chic and interesting without going over-the-top.
Metallic Accents: Add a touch of glamour with just a hint of gold or silver leaf. Using just a little bit will keep the cake from getting too flashy.
Naked or Semi-Naked Cake: For a super simple, pared back look, consider a semi-naked or naked cake. These cakes have minimal frosting on them, so you can see the layers of cake. While these cakes may not be quite as popular as they were a few years ago, they’re still a great option for anyone looking for a simple wedding cake design (or anyone who isn’t a big frosting fan).
Why ECBG?
If you’re looking for a wedding cake you know your guests will love, we can help! We love working with couples on cakes for all of their wedding-related festivities and celebrations. From the flavor to the design expertise to the customer experience, we go above and beyond to make sure your cake is exactly what you hoped. Here’s just some of what we bring to the table:
Custom Designs: Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek, modern cake or something whimsical and romantic, we specialize in creating wedding cakes tailored to your vision.
Unmatched Flavor: No dry, flavorless wedding cakes here! Our cakes are made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring every bite is just as delightful as the design.
Luxury Aesthetic: With expert craftsmanship and an eye for detail, we elevate each and every wedding cake we make.
Personalized Experience: We work closely with each couple to bring your cake dreams to life.
Expert Guidance: Not sure where to start? We can help! We’re more than happy to provide professional advice on flavor pairings, size options, and design elements to create a cake that fits seamlessly into your wedding vision.
Reach out to inquire about wedding cakes or other custom cakes. We’d love to work with you!
FAQs
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Many two-tier cakes are made up of a 6-inch tier stacked on top of an 8-inch tier. That will serve about 30-40 guests. If you need more servings than that, you could do a 6-inch tier over a 10-inch tier, or add sheet cakes or a dessert table in addition to your main cake so that guests have other sweet treats to choose from.
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It depends on your baker! Some bakers will happily make each tier a different flavor. It can be a good option if you’re divided on what flavor you like best (and lets your guests choose what they’d like to eat), but if you’re going to go this route, it’s a good idea to consider how the flavors will (or won’t) go together and complement one another.
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It’s a good idea to start the process about 4-6 months before your wedding day, especially if you’re getting married during peak season. We tend to book up and many other cake designers do as well!
If you’re looking for something smaller and semi-custom, you can order our White Wedding cake from our Cake Shop. We won’t need nearly as much lead-time for that cake as we do for custom cakes.
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Absolutely! Using more luxe decorations like edible gold, more intricate piping, handmade flowers, a moody color palette, and more can all make your smaller cake look like more of a showstopper.
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Not necessarily, but it will give your cake a little lift and added height to make your elegant cake an eye-catching centerpiece. If you’re going to use a cake stand, make sure you pick one that complements your wedding theme so everything looks cohesive.
When picking a cake for your big day, there are a lot of things you’ll need to take into consideration so you choose the right size for you. A two-tier cake is a great option if you’re looking for a simple yet elegant cake that’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression.
