Wedding cakes date back to the Roman Times when a basic fruit cake was offered to the gods as part of the wedding ceremony. The cake was crumbled over the brides head so that the gods would bless her. In 54BC the wedding cake became a tradition, but it was only the wealthy who copied this practice, the poor used wheat or corn to throw over the bride for fertility. Originally only royalty could afford tiered cakes, with others having single tiered centre pieces. The three tier cake became traditional as representing the three rings - engagement, wedding and eternity.

Three tiers became fashionable amongst the middle classes, there often being too much cake for the number of guests so the top tier would be left for the christening of the first child. Styles have evolved constantly over the years with the fashions and trends of each period reflecting the cake design.