20 Romantic Heart Wedding Cake Ideas

Heart-Shaped Lambeth Wedding Cake on White Stand With Couple Cutting Into It — Photo by Kanoa Photography

Hearts are the quintessential symbol of love, making them an apt decoration to incorporate into your big day. While there are endless ways to embrace this romantic shape, one in-demand option is serving a heart-shaped cake at your wedding reception. This trending dessert typically consists of a single-tiered confection in the shape of a heart that’s embellished with Lambeth piping, producing a vintage-inspired look reminiscent of the 18th century.

According to wedding cake designer Heather Anne Leavitt, these nostalgic, playful designs are a big hit with couples due to the resurgence of retro nuptials and film photography (the latter enhances the wistful feel of the dessert). With their vintage look, heart-shaped cakes are perfect for old-school affairs or for anyone who wants to add a touch of sentimentality to their celebration. And the heart shape lends itself to romantic aesthetics or functions that fall on or near Valentine’s Day.

Meet the Expert

Heather Anne Leavitt is a cake designer and the owner of Sweet Heather Anne, a wedding bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

While heart-shaped cakes are often all-white confections engraved with “Just married,” the design can be as creative as you want. For instance, choose a multi-colored confection, opt for multiple tiers, embrace maximalist piping, decorate each tier with cherries, or monogram your initials. The flavors of your cake and its filling also provide an opportunity to think outside of the box and make an impression, whether it’s citrus olive oil with blood orange curd and citrus praline buttercream or lemon cake with lemon lavender buttercream, pet Leavitt. The presentation of your post-dinner treat will add further customization and maintain a level of cohesiveness, such as displaying the sweet on a lucite stand for a modern soirée or scattering fresh flowers around your cake table for a garden fête.

Since these sweet treats are usually smaller in size, they probably won’t be able to accommodate your entire guest list. That’s why Leavitt recommends supplementing a heart-shaped cake with a dessert bar or designating it as your cutting cake before your kitchen staff serves from a larger sheet cake.

If you’re thinking about embracing this trend at your wedding, we’ve rounded up a list of 20 gorgeous heart cake ideas to inspire your own.

01 of 20

Stick With a Classic Look

All-White Lambeth Heart-Shaped Cake on White Platter — Photo by Lara Martins for LILA Cake Shop

While there are countless ways to customize this trend, you can never go wrong with the original Lambeth-style heart cake: an all-white design engulfed in intricate piping. The monochromatic look is clean, sophisticated, and extremely versatile. With a neutral base, the 3D iced details will take center stage and command everyone’s attention.

02 of 20

Trim It With Cherries

Heart-Shaped Lambeth Cake With Sparkly Cherries — Photo by The Shalom Imaginative

Maraschino cherries are a common decoration for Lambeth-style cakes, including heart-shaped ones. The bright red fruit reinforces the nostalgia factor and adds a fun pop of color to your confection. Border the perimeter of your singular tier with the sweet garnish, whether you want a sprinkling or a bevy.

03 of 20

Opt for Two Tiers

Two-Tier Heart-Shaped All-White Wedding Cake With Piping — Photo by Justine Milton

Heart-shaped cakes are often one tier, but why not stack multiple layers on top of each other for a grand, extra romantic display? To emphasize the height of a two-tier cake, settle on minimal piping. If you’re completing your romantic dessert with “Just married” verbiage, block letters are ideal for modern affairs.

04 of 20

Prioritize Bold Colors

Colorful Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake in Purple, Red, and Blue With Purple Cherries — Photo by Taylor D. Higgins

Although white fondant is the norm for heart-shaped cakes, there isn’t a rule that prohibits you from painting your treat in bright, hold hues. In fact, a colorful confection will stand apart from the crowd, making a lasting impression on your guests. For weddings with boisterous color palettes, a technicolor dessert that mixes purple, red, and blue, for example, will round off your aesthetic and play up the vibrancy.

05 of 20

Incorporate a Moody Touch

Heart-Shaped White Wedding Cake With Black Writing — Photo by Vanessa Todd

One heart cake idea for edgy couples or gothic wedding themes is stamping your dessert with “‘Til death do us part” in black icing. The phrase itself will elicit an ominous air, and the dark hue will add a moody touch to an otherwise light, airy treat. Although this line typically conjures up images of skulls and skeletons, it’s also part of traditional vows, making it a suitable choice for any style affair.

06 of 20

Choose an Elaborate Design

Two-Tier Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Intricate Piping and Yellow Flowers — Photo by Blair Gutierrez for Velvet Valley Cakes

The design of your heart-themed wedding cake can be as elaborate as you’d like. To go all out, have your cake designer layer several tiers and engulf every facet in thick piping. For an even more striking effect, especially at garden or nature-focused nuptials, have the professional pipe flowers across the canvas and complete the design with fresh blooms.

07 of 20

Engrave Your Initials

Heart-Shaped Lambeth Wedding Cake With Monogrammed Initials — Photo Courtesy of Crumbs Cake Studio

Since your wedding day marks the union of you and your partner, monogramming the top tier with your joint initials is a celebratory way to represent the special act of marriage. By etching the confection with your first initial and that of your significant other, the personal flair will make your dessert—and the rest of your reception—even more meaningful.

08 of 20

Serve a Bountiful Spread

Eight Pink Heart-Shaped Wedding Cakes With Lambeth Piping on Pink Plates on Glass Table — Photo by LaLa Economides for Cakes by LaLa

Who says you have to stick with just one heart-shaped cake at your wedding reception? If you’re hoping to make a splash at your post-ceremony party or you simply have a big sweet tooth, serve an abundance of these romantic, vintage confections. The conglomeration of cakes—especially if they’re painted in a bright color—will enhance the day’s décor and create a photo-worthy spread. Plus, you won’t have to worry about ordering another dessert to feed the crowd.

09 of 20

Showcase Your Personality

All-White Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Married AF on Top — Photo by Rachel Artime

No matter the shape or size, wedding cakes give couples the opportunity to showcase their personality. For a heart cake idea that demonstrates your sense of humor, consider choosing a message that mimics your daily dialect. For instance, piping “Married AF” onto your treat will give your reception a conversational, laid-back feel.

10 of 20

Select a Petite Size

Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Black Writing on Etched Cake Stand — Photo by Kanoa Photography

Because heart-shaped cakes are almost always adorned with dazzling piping, a petite size will still make a big impact. Serving a miniature confection is best for those who have a lineup of additional desserts on deck, so everyone has the option of getting their sugar fix.

11 of 20

Embellish With Floral Art

Two-Tier Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With White Piping, Red Flowers, and Cherries — Photo by Mandee Johnson Photography

For garden settings and aesthetics, piped blossoms will bring a lush, complementary edge to your heart-shaped wedding cake. Fill these flowers with a hue from your palette to aid in a cohesive story and add a splash of color. Red buds paired with red cherries will provide a coordinated look and augment the retro ambiance.

12 of 20

Wrap It In Ribbons

All-White Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Black Ribbons on Gold Platter — Photo by Taylor D. Higgins

Used as decoration, bows will embed a soft, delicate flair into your vintage wedding cake. And if you choose ribbons with a satin finish, your treat will radiate opulence, perfect for a glamorous affair. Tie these bits of fabric around the perimeter of your confection to create a quasi-border.

13 of 20

Embrace Minimalism

All-White Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Piped Border and Just Married — Photo by Madeline Rose

With a minimalist design, the heart shape will truly shine. Instead of concealing the structure by dousing it in icing, choose a simple border, topped with a message that announces your new relationship status. A no-frills look is ideal for unfussy couples and effortless weddings.

14 of 20

Establish a Recurring Motif

Two-Tier Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With Pink and Red Decorations — Photo by The Shalom Imaginative

Make hearts a recurring motif at your wedding—or at least your cake table. In addition to serving a heart-shaped dessert, decorate each tier with heart designs and serve each slice on a heart-shaped plate, along with a napkin featuring a heart illustration. This heart cake idea is a strong candidate for Valentine’s Day weddings, especially if you stick with a red-and-pink color palette.

15 of 20

Create Contrast

Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With White Icing and Piping and Black Just Married — Photo by Shaleena Danielle

If you’re thinking about a white Lambeth-style cake, adding black details will create an interesting juxtaposition. A black-and-white confection will suit both classic and contemporary affairs alike, exuding sophistication and elegance.

16 of 20

Paint It in Pink

Pink Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake With White Piped Border and Wording — Photo by Moments by Moriel

For wedding color palettes that include pink as a primary hue, one heart cake idea is covering the treat in pink icing. The rosy hue will look especially romantic on a heart-shaped confection. You can even add white details for contrast.

17 of 20

Dust It With Sparkles

Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake Decorated With Sparkly Cherries and Pink and White Piping — Photo by Keri Lynne Photography

To make your heart-shaped cake glimmer, ask your cake designer to sprinkle a dusting of edible sparkles on top. For a more subdued incorporation, garnishing the sweet with a handful of glistening cherries will also do the trick.

18 of 20

Display It on a Rustic Stand

All-White Heart-Shaped Lambeth Wedding Cake on Wooden Stand — Photo by Kim Hymes Photography

Tying the knot in a barn or at a farm, complete with a homey, relaxed atmosphere? Serve your heart-shaped cake on a wooden cake stand. Because exposed wood is a hallmark of rustic weddings, including this accent at your reception will tie your theme together.

19 of 20

Scatter Fresh Flowers

All-White Heart-Shaped Lambeth Wedding Cake With Fresh Flowers on Plate — Photo by The Shalom Imaginative

Instead of trimming the surface of your treat with flowers, another heart cake idea is dispersing fresh blooms around your cake stand and cake table. Select blossoms that are in season for a complementary and cost-effective decoration, such as garden roses in the summer or sunflowers in the fall.

20 of 20

Adorn It With Pearls

All-White Heart-Shaped Lambeth Wedding Cake Decorated With Pearls — Photo by Alex Michele Photos

Like Lambeth designs, pearls have an old-fashioned, classic appeal. To boost the vintage effect of a heart-shaped cake, add pearlescent accents to your piping. These sophisticated beads will complement the white icing and add a slight glow.

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