Wedding cake trends for 2027: Expert forecast with Rhi from The Mess

When we looked back at the top wedding cake trends in 2025, it was all about playful retro piping, narrow sheet cakes, and towers of tiramisu. Couples were leaning heavily into specific, whimsical aesthetics.

Heading into 2027, the evolution of the final course is taking a much more artistic, personal, and interactive turn. To help us map out exactly what to expect on reception tables, we sat down with leading industry expert Rhi, the cake artist and founder behind Melbourne studio The Mess.

"For 2027, we’re seeing couples move away from traditional 'perfect' wedding cakes toward designs that feel more personal, artistic, and reflective of their celebration. Couples are rethinking what a wedding cake can be, moving beyond a single traditional cake and creating dessert moments that encourage guests to gather, share, and interact."

Rhi, The Mess

Whether you are planning an intimate micro-wedding or a grand black-tie affair, these are the top 10 wedding cake trends our resident expert tips to dominate 2027 weddings.

1. The two-tier takeover

While massive, sky-high tiers will always have a place at grand traditional receptions, the modern wedding is firmly embracing the two-tier cake. Our data shows that 38% of couples are opting for exactly two tiers, making it the most popular configuration nationwide. It strikes the perfect balance, offering enough height for that iconic cake-cutting photo while remaining practical and budget-conscious for the average Australian guest list of 85 people.

2. Cake plus dessert pairings

Rather than relying on one cake to satisfy every sweet tooth, 38% of couples are choosing a blended “Cake + Dessert” model. Rhi notes that this approach completely redefines the final course. “Whether it’s a statement cake, a cannoli tower, or a beautifully styled dessert display, these experiences become part of the celebration rather than just another menu item,” she says. This trend sees a smaller cutting cake paired with a curated selection of secondary desserts, giving guests the freedom to choose their own culinary adventure.

3. All-black elegance

With classic and traditional styles reclaiming the top aesthetic spot across the country, dark sophistication is making a massive comeback. Matte black cakes decorated with deep burgundy, rich ochres, or crisp white sculptural details are a major trend for upcoming receptions. It is a striking, fashion-forward choice that pairs beautifully with the semi-formal and black-tie dress codes currently dominating Australian weddings.

4. Uncompromising dietary-friendly displays

Dietary requirements are no longer a stressful afterthought hidden away in the kitchen. Our data shows that more than half of all weddings require multiple dietary needs to be catered for, making inclusive dessert styling a necessity.

As an expert who champions this shift at The Mess, Rhi focuses on creating gluten-free and vegan cakes that challenge the idea that dietary-friendly desserts are a compromise. “They can be just as indulgent, creative, and memorable as any traditional option,” Rhi notes, highlighting a huge wave of fully inclusive dessert displays where alternative options are built into the design from day one.

5. Sculptural silhouettes and tactile finishes

The movement towards sensory, tactile design has moved straight onto the buttercream. Instead of smooth, flawless fondant, Rhi tips unique silhouettes, raw textures, and natural elements to take center stage. Palette-knife ruffles, deckled edges, and beautifully arranged pressed or sculptural florals are being used to give cakes an organic, fine-art feel that sits naturally within garden, outdoor, and winery settings.

6. Single-tier standouts

At the other end of the structural scale, 32% of couples are embracing the elegance of a single-tier cake. Particularly popular for intimate weddings, minimalist aesthetics, or destination celebrations, a single-tier showstopper relies on exceptional design rather than height to make an impression. It is simple, sophisticated, and leaves plenty of room on the table for elaborate floral arrangements.

7. Adventurous and nostalgic flavours

Couples are becoming far more adventurous with their menus, looking well beyond traditional vanilla and chocolate. We are seeing a love for nostalgic flavours with a modern twist, alongside unexpected combinations that create a memorable experience. Rhi notes that at her studio, couples are increasingly gravitating towards flavour profiles like coffee, caramel, citrus, seasonal fruits, and spice-forward combinations that feel highly personal and considered.

8. Structural cannoli towers

For the 31% of couples skipping traditional cake entirely, structural dessert towers are the ultimate alternative. Rhi highlights that stacked cannoli towers or macaron pyramids are highly visual, incredibly easy for guests to grab on their way to the dance floor, and serve as a brilliant, interactive focal piece for reception styling.

9. Upgraded display styling

Couples are looking at the presentation as a whole, meaning the standard silver cake stand is being left behind. The display is now treated as a core part of the reception decor. Upgrades like custom plinths, specialty ceramic stands, clear acrylic boxes, or vintage platters are being used alongside trailing greenery and strategic lighting to truly frame the cake-cutting moment.

10. Interactive dessert stations

As receptions shift toward high-energy, social formats, interactive food experiences are thriving. Mobile dessert carts, live-torched meringue stations, gelato carts, and food trucks are being integrated into the late-night timeline. It keeps guests moving, acts as excellent entertainment, and provides a sweet fuel injection right when the dance floor is heating up.

Understanding the expert design process

Because a cake should reflect the couple and their celebration, Rhi emphasizes that the planning journey is just as important as the final design. For an artisanal expert, every cake begins with a detailed conversation. “We learn about the couple, their wedding style, venue, colour palette, and what they want their cake to feel like on the day,” Rhi explains.

When booking a professional cake artist, Rhi walks us through the collaborative process couples can expect:

• The initial consultation: Discussing your venue, guest count, and overall design aesthetic to determine the ideal size and structure.
• The tasting box: Experiencing curated flavour combinations, from nostalgic twists to spice-forward pairings, before locking in your final choice.
• Vendor collaboration: Your cake maker will work directly with your planner, stylist, and florist to ensure finishing details, custom plinths, and florals tie cohesively into the broader wedding vision.

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