Let them eat cake

On Jan. 20, my stepdaughter is getting married in Whistler. Since her dad is a chef, he is providing the cake for the occasion.

I think most girls look forward to that special father-daughter moment of walking down the aisle, but how many get to say Papa made dessert?

Weddings are full of tradition, and they usually involve much pomp and ceremony. Nowadays, with media such as Pinterest and YouTube, it's easy to see the myriad of options available for every part of the special day.

This can be a slippery slope; it's easy to want more than you can afford and there's only so much time to make do-it-yourself knick-knacks.

Hosting a large party is always a big undertaking, and making all the pieces happen adds up in time and money. However, there is certainly a bit of magic involved as well and that part can’t be found online.

It comes from personal memories and relationships and it's generally uncontrollable — it just happens, like snowflakes or rainbows.

Families have had cake as part of a wedding reception since Roman times. It is not as common now for cake crumbs to be sprinkled over the couple’s head for good luck, but cakes do still symbolize good fortune. The stacked tiers with extravagant icing and decoration are a centrepiece in the room.

Did you know the custom of the bride and groom cutting the cake comes from simple origins? The bride originally would pass out all the pieces on her own, but as the celebrations got bigger and bolder, her groom was required to help her cut through a bigger cake and deliver more pieces.

I know my stepdaughter will be keen to cut into her cake. She has always loved her father’s desserts. I remember a Happy Face cake for one birthday (I think she was six), but her tastes didn't take long to get more refined.

Chocolate mousse cake became the preferred choice, and, of course, the decorations were worthy of a chef — no simple spread icing for this princess. Sugar art was more her style.

We all deserve to be a princess for a day, with all the trimmings. Chloae wants to have a winter wedding with snowflakes and icicles, and this cake will look like an ice castle.

Each of the four spectacular layers has a different flavour, so she will be hard pressed to choose which one to taste (but that’s where having a partner comes in handy).

My husband loves his daughter more than anything. Some of our friends asked if he was going to cater the wedding, but he was much happier to have the job of walking his girl down the aisle.

He will give a wonderful toast to the couple, but his special tribute will be shown in the cake, and I know that his daughter will hold that image, and taste, in her heart.

But the real magic will come when we all share in the moment by having our own piece of cake. The famous quote, “Let them eat cake,” was said to be uttered by a French queen to the peasants during a time of famine.

This weekend we will turn that sentiment on its head when each of us will be a part of wishing the couple a life together that is worthy of much celebrating — and cake. 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.