An Alternative Wedding Cake Idea – A Literal Cheese Cake

Image: Julie Napear Photography

We had a great time in Arizona. We survived the 5 hour plane ride there and back, but did not survive the “baby doesn’t understand time change” challenge and so we saw a lot of sunrises as we mostly got up in the 3 to 4am time frame. But our friends’ wedding was GORGEOUS (& it had a freakin’ BEER DONKEY), we stumbled upon an amazing Farmer’s Market in Phoenix, we introduced Evie to Sedona and got some off-roading done in Andy’s parent’s Bobcat. It was a great vacation, but it’s back to the grind of blogging, prepping for this weekend’s wedding, and shipping out CapRo Planners.

For today I have a super fun guest post from the Cheese Mongers at Righteous Cheese. I always say that I could survive on cheese alone and that I really don’t trust someone that doesn’t like cheese. Because cheese, is amazing. So what better way to have a truly alternative wedding cake, than to have a literal CHEESE cake. Plus these cheese mongers are #madeinDC, serving up local cheese out of Union Market. If you haven’t been, check them out AND consider this non-traditional wedding cake option!

Cheese Wheel Wedding Cake Trends | By: Carolyn, the Cheese Expert at Righteous Cheese

Image: Taylor & Ben Photography

A rapidly growing trend for cutting-edge, food-loving couples is the cheese wheel wedding cake. Cheese-loving brides and grooms who are looking to incorporate unique & distinctive wedding elements are quickly discovering this delicious alternative to a traditional cake.

Each “cake” is formed by stacking several cheese wheels in varying sizes and colors, chosen based on appearance or taste. Some cheese shops have standard cheeses they prefer to use for cakes; but many also craft custom pieces, which creates a bespoke wedding experience. Cakes can be decorated with flowers, fruit, ribbon, and even a traditional cake topper. In addition to being a delicious wedding addition for any food-lover, a cheese wheel cake is an ideal gluten- and sugar-free option, to either replace a traditional cake or even served alongside more conventional desserts.

Image: Rodney Bailey

What to know before you go:

• If you don’t already have a favorite cheese shop, ask your caterer if they work with any area cheese shops that might be able to create a cheese wheel cake. Although you can ship cheeses, the best option is a local business that can walk you through the process and avoid shipping.
• When choosing a cheese shop, make sure that you will be able to taste the cheeses before making a final decision. Balance what you prefer yourselves with what you think your guests will like. The cheesemonger will be a great resource for this – they often know what cheeses are most popular.
• The cheese shop can provide accompaniments for the cake (fruit, nuts, crackers, etc) so inquiring is never a bad idea. Otherwise, your caterer may be able to provide delicious accompaniments.
• Be sure to reach out in advance, as many cheese shops are small and will need to schedule a tasting to truly give each couple their full attention. Since the shop may have to special-order the cheeses for you, try to set up a tasting at least 2-3 months in advance of your wedding, and have a contract or agreement in place at least 1 month prior.
• The size of your event will likely influence the size of your cake, so discuss sizing options at the shop, and have an idea of how many people will likely be attending.
• Many shops will offer to deliver or decorate for you on the day-of and some will only provide the cheese. Whatever services you choose may come with additional fees. Find out what your services your cheese shop offers (and pricing) before committing.
• It is also entirely possible to keep with the cake-cutting tradition, if your cake is topped with the right cheese! Ask the cheesemonger if they have any good options to incorporate a cake-cutting into the event.
• Artisanal cheeses are small-batch, which means that sometimes, unforeseen forces prevent a particular cheese from getting to the shop. At your tasting, talk about the consistent availability of the cheeses you’ve selected, and backups in case the cheese is not available.