Three Unique Bakeries for Your Wedding Cake

If there’s one day when you’re actually allowed to have your cake and eat it too, it’s definitely your wedding day. Wedding cakes have been a staple of the big day for centuries. In Ancient Rome, sweet bread was broken over the bride’s head as a symbol of luck and good tidings. In Medieval England, small cakes were stacked high and the bride and groom would attempt to kiss above the sugary tower; if they were successful, they were destined for happiness. And in America, wedding cakes are surrounded in tradition, from playful feedings between the bride and groom to saving a slice for a special anniversary.

This rich history of tradition means that a lot is riding on the sugary confection that serves as the centerpiece of your wedding day. Some brides and grooms want a classic design and a delicate flavor that will preserve well in freezers and photos. Others want a fun and flavorful cake that serves as a testament to their personalities and tastes on their wedding day. Regardless of your thoughts on the providential pastry, San Diego has a bakery that’s perfect for your preferences. From traditional to unique, these three bakeries span the spectrum of wedding cakes, guaranteeing you’ll find the best bakery for you and your boo. 

The French Gourmet

The French Gourmet in La Jolla may wear many hats, but perhaps none as renowned as their role of wedding cake bakery. Brides and grooms alike fall hard for their elegant and timeless creations, perfect for the traditionalist and perfectionist. Fluffy, decadent layers of purest white, layered in timeless tiers that steal the show—all your classic wedding dreams can come true at The French Gourmet.

But don’t get us wrong—traditional certainly doesn’t mean simple. Choose from over 12 flavors, including Tropical Cream Cake (sponge cake dabbed with coconut syrup, layered with coconut Bavarian cream, fresh mangos and pineapples), Strawberry Bagatelle (Kirsch moistened sponge cake filled with fresh strawberries or raspberries and light Bavarian Cream) and family favorites like Tiramisu. Each bite is flavorful and fluffy, but it’s not just about the taste; every cake is personalized and designed to your specifications. Top your confection with whipped cream, buttercream, rolled fondant, white or dark chocolate fondant, or marzipan to achieve your desired look. Regardless of your flavor and finish, a cake from The French Gourmet is guaranteed to be elegant, timeless and delicious. When you pull out the special slice on some distant anniversary, you’ll still savor the sweetness as much as you did on your big day. 

Sweet Cheeks Baking Company

When your mother was getting married, there weren’t too many considerations when it came to her cake: if it looked good and tasted good, she was happy. But today there’s a lot more to think about, like organic ingredients, sourcing locally and diet specifications for yourself and your guests. If you like your flavors fresh and healthy, vegan, sugar–free or even gluten–free, then Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. is for you.

Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. incorporates locally-sourced ingredients like fresh, local butter, veg–fed and cage–free local chicken eggs, whole wheat flour, flaxseed and wheat germ, farmer’s market berries and nuts and local organic field lavender. Their devotion to sustainability is exactly the kind of business the conscious San Diegan is looking for, plus it’s entirely women–owned.

Don’t worry, design and flavor are certainly never compromised, but are instead bolstered by the bakers’ promises of local sustainability. Local, pure and fresh ingredients lend their wedding cakes a delicious array of flavors, from Vegan Vanilla Bean to Sicillian Pistachio and stuffed with tasty fillings like fruity whipped creams and honey butter cream. Since they prefer to use top–quality natural ingredients, the bakers at Sweet Cheeks usually avoid fondants and dyes, but they’re also capable of working with and mastering even those tricky ingredients. If you’re a modern girl looking for a 21st century cake, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. will satisfy your sustainable needs.

Photo by Jamie Fields

San Diego Cake Pop Shop

When you hear the words "wedding cake," your mind immediately conjures an image of a tiered, white masterpiece. And although we can certainly appreciate those classic designs, we know they’re not for everyone. Maybe you want a creation that’s a little fun and funky, something that exhibits your boisterous and bouncy personality. And maybe you want a cake that’s spectacularly easy to share—after all, you’ve got enough on your plate without having to worry about plates and forks for cake. If you’re into a fun, flippant approach for your wedding cake, check out the San Diego Cake Pop Shop.

Cake pops, the modern, minimal staples of coffee shops and small bakeries, are delicious alternatives to messy, classic cakes. And no one in San Diego does them quite like the San Diego Cake Pop Shop. Each cake pop is created with passion, delicately decorated to suit your theme and ideas. Whether you’re going for elegant— pastel shades topped with pearlescent sprinkles—or funky—colorful, sparkly and bedazzled—the Cake Pop Shop completely customizes every order to the occasion. And once again, flavor is at the forefront. With delicious classics like vanilla and red velvet, as well as unique options like funfetti and peanut butter, every guest is sure to get a pop with their favorite flavor. The Cake Pop Shop specializes in weddings and special themes, meaning your personal style is sure to be expressed on your big day.