Before proceeding to the main (and most delicious) topic of the article, it is important to distinguish two types of Armenian Wedding - modern and traditional. Cakes at the modern weddings tend to be correspondingly modern - in other words, bought in the bakery. Cake is one thing, however, no one saves money or efforts on, so both cakes bought in the bakery and home made cakes are huge, pompous and decorated in a grand way.
Traditional cakes are a totally different case. Before proceeding to the actual cake, the bride's family makes calls to all living relatives, all neighbours, friends or just acquaintances (no exaggeration) - to any person that can potentially have a good receipt. Calling is the beginning though: all those relatives, friends and neighbors gather to discuss possible cake candidates, each pushing their own cake.
The bride's family must master real diplomacy not to offend anyone and choose one receipt. A day before the wedding, the whole army of well-wishers gathers again, this time to actually make the cake. As many as 60 people may gather during the cake-making ceremony. It's a real miracle they do manage to make a cake at the end. But they do, and what cakes!
The cake is usually 3 or 4 decked. Instead of marzipan, Armenian cakes are usually with cream. Women usually spend hours putting the cream on the cake. It is a process everyone watches without breathing - one hasty movement, and the whole cake is ruined - Armenian Ladies would never tolerate a Wedding Cake that is anything less then perfect.
The cake decorations typically correspond to the tastes of the bride (or more likely - her mother). Usually, a huge amount of cream roses are put on, with some other smart ornaments. Unlike western cakes, there are no Bride & Groom figures on the top of it (apart from modern wedding cakes). The top is just another garden full of flowers.
The Bride is the one, who has to cut the whole cake. The top central part is always reserved for the Bride and Groom - it is considered the 'sweetest' part for their future sweet lives. For exactly the same purpose, the Bride and Groom have to try some honey.
Although Armenian cakes may not sometimes look as great as the Western cakes, which resemble small cathedrals, they are certainly tastier - women put their heart and soul, and a good deal of effort and top-quality products in it.
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Cake Serving Sets are essential tools for sharing that first piece of cake. These timeless designs become keepsakes that you can use later on special birthdays and anniversaries.
