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Updated Jul 16, 202435 Simple Wedding Cakes That Are Stylish Without Being Over-the-Top
Minimalists, these sweet treats are for you.
Many times while planning your celebration, you'll realize less is more. So, if you're not in love with the oversized confections on Pinterest, simple wedding cakes are a better fit for you. Sound intriguing? Then you're in luck because there's no shortage of inspiration. We've gathered simple wedding cake ideas real couples had at their affairs that are seriously stunning. From multi-tier creations to desserts solely for the newlyweds, these treats are sure to pack the right (minimalistic) punch. Once you save the options you like, don't forget to go on The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a baker to design a cake that's pleasing to your eyes and your taste buds.
Simple wedding cake ideas that still stand out: Small | Two-Tier | Elegant | Modern | Editor's Favorites
Simple Small Wedding Cakes
If you want your confection to cost less and not take up lots of room, try a simple and small treat. Below are some ways you can go about your desired look.
1. Simple Wedding Cake With Dainty Flowers
Are you planning a dessert spread? Then, having a simple one-tier cutting cake will give you something to slice during the special reception moment. We love the classic white icing on this treat, which has a bright orange ranunculus placed on top for a pop of color.
2. One-Tier Buttercream Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Millie Holloman Photography
,Cake: One Belle Bakery
White flowers will add subtle dimension and detail to a white buttercream cake. This keeps the overall design of small wedding cakes, like this one, simple and classic.
3. Simple Wedding Cake With Edible Flowers
Photo: Sera Petras Photography
,Cake: Arley Cakes
We love how this couple decorated their simple wedding cake with flowers, complete with a matching cake topper and stand. With a variety of colors and shapes, the delicate pressed petals are almost too pretty to eat.
4. Simple Wedding Cake With Sprinkles
Photo: Kelci Alane Photography
,Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop
Sprinkles, anyone? Consider accenting your simple white wedding cake with this rainbow-colored topping for a memorable dessert.
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5. Simple Wedding Cake With Garden Flowers
Add finesse to a simple one-tier wedding cake with flowers that complement the season. Pale pink blooms are pretty for spring and summer, or you could switch to red or dark purple flowers for fall and winter.
Simple Two-Tier Wedding Cakes
For those looking for a dessert with more height, check these out. We have options for just about every wedding vibe.
6. Simple Wedding Cake With Gold Foil
Photo: Christina Childress Photography,
Cake: Crumb & Kettle
Another way to make your wedding cake stand out is with a memorable cake stand. This chic marble option has a gold half-circle bottom, which match the gold flecks on the cake.
7. Pink and White Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Marianne Wiest Photography,Cake: Pineapple Bakery
Here's proof that some simple wedding cakes are anything but boring. Consider adding a single-colored tier to your dessert. We love how this couple tied in the palette by adding a darker pink flower at the base of the cake.
8. Minimalist Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Josh & Dana Fernandez Photography
,Cake: Buttercup
If you choose a simple white wedding cake with few accents, let the surrounding decor bring the excitement. This couple opted for two sprigs of greenery that matched the hanging flowers on the wall behind their cake.
9. Simple Buttercream Wedding Cake
Photo: A Sea of Love
,Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery
Metallic accents are a trendy way to make your cake stand out. Flecks of edible copper leaf stand out against the cake's textured icing, while a cluster of dark blooms provides a pop of contrasting color.
10. Classic White Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Liza Kirk Photography
A sugar bow is an unexpectedly chic way to decorate your two-tier wedding cake for any season. You can add flowers or greenery, but we love this minimalistic design.
Simple Elegant Wedding Cakes
A stunning dessert that doesn't overwhelm is possible. Put one of these seven elegant and simple wedding cakes on your vision board.
11. Simple Fall Wedding Cake
Photo: Anna Wu Photography,Cake: Sweet Cakes Sonoma
We can't help but obsess over simple rustic wedding cakes. This simple two-tier wedding cake has a grassy bunch of autumnal flowers and leaves that embody the cozy season.
12. Simple Wedding Cake With Deckled Edges
This creation is a breath of fresh air in cake form. Elegant white flowers adorn this crisp white confection, while delicate green leaves add just enough color to make this cake stand out.
13. Simple Summer Wedding Cake
Let the height of your wedding cake do all the talking, and keep the rest of the design simple. A few green cymbidium orchids gave this five-tier masterpiece a tropical, summery look.
14. Simple Pearl Wedding Cake
There are so many ways you can go about simple vintage wedding cakes. One of our favorite ideas is this one. Strings of pearls cascaded down and surround this gorgeous dessert, while acrylic diamonds were sprinkled on top of the top tier.
15. Textured White Simple Wedding Cake
Textured icing will enhance your simple wedding cake without taking it over the top. The alternating tiers have a modern look, while the craspedia billy balls add just enough color to make this cake look like a work of art.
16. Simple Spring Wedding Cake
Photo: Jen Huang Photo
,Cake: Paper Cake Events
This nature-inspired dessert should definitely be on your wedding cake checklist. We love how the bottom tier has an ombré pink finish while a string of blush blossoms poke out from below the top tier.
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17. Dreamy White Simple Wedding Cake
It doesn't get more classic than this simple two-tier wedding cake. Decorated with buttercream beading and gorgeous garden roses, it's a timeless design that we can't get enough of.
Simple Modern Wedding Cakes
Going the contemporary route for a simple wedding cake allows you to try trends without making over-committing. Keep reading to see six ways you can have the best of both worlds.
18. Marble Patterned Simple Wedding Cake
Your wedding cake doesn't have to be round. Square tiers feel effortlessly modern and chic—and with a soft marble pattern, this cake is as elegant as can be.
19. Simple Three-Tier Wedding Cake
Skip the flowers for decorative wafer paper details instead. The thin, edible sheets can be molded into various designs or shapes, and when left uncolored on a white cake, add a monochromatic 3D look.
20. Unique and Simple Wedding Cake
This design features dozens of miniature handmade paper airplanes inspired by the couple's love of travel. Even though the airplanes are white, they stand out against the ivory fondant.
21. Simple Wedding Cake With Fault Line
Of all the simple wedding cakes we've seen, this is among our favorites and one you should definitely ask your baker to make. The fault line, a section of the cake that's cut away to reveal a different design below, adds the only pop of color to this crisp white confection.
22. Abstract Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Natalie Probst Photography
,Cake: Elysia Root Cakes
A splatter of blue color can bring an artsy feel to any simple three-tier wedding cake. A ribbon of textured white icing adds dimension across each section.
23. Square Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Jessica Frey Photography
,Cake: Glace Cakes
Little squares can still have a big presence. Modest wedding cakes are the perfect in-between option for couples who want to serve other desserts, and it's the perfect size for the newlyweds to share.
Editor's Favorite Simple Wedding Cakes
There are so many simple wedding cakes we love we had to make a section for our favorites. Here are more ideas you can consider for your dessert table.
24. Natural Simple Wedding Cake
Spice up your tiers by adding garlands of greenery on each level. We love how this couple opted for smooth icing around each tier—and if you look closely, you'll see their initials stamped front and center for a subtle, personal touch.
25. Hidden Color Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Stephanie Yonce Photography
,Cake: Sara Ayyash at The Jefferson Hotel
No one said minimalistic wedding cakes also have to be simple on the inside. The cut reveals this cake's rainbow interior, which will surprise (and delight) guests.
26. Simple Naked Wedding Cake
Fresh fruit is always a crowd-pleaser. This naked wedding cake has a dusting of powdered sugar and rings of berries, which give it a mouth-watering finish.
27. Simple Wedding Cake With Succulents
Photo: Ashley Durham Photography,
Cake: Over The Rainbow Desserts
Succulents, anyone? Show off your green thumb by getting your favorite plants on your cake. In addition to fresh greenery, textured icing (as seen here) can add drama to your simple wedding cake.
28. Funfetti Flavored Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Monika Photography
,Cake: Richard Gemme/Chocolate Therapy
You don't have to conceptualize a simple wedding cake design when you have a funfetti interior. The sprinkles baked into this treat can serve as accents on their own. In forgoing icing on the outside, this naked cake is a playful idea for couples who want a fun dessert.
29. Harry Potter-Inspired Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Elvira Kalviste Photography
,Cake: By the Way Bakery
Yes, you can have a wedding cake referencing your favorite movie or book. This Harry Potter-inspired wedding cake has a cake topper and four accent pieces that channel the beloved franchise.
30. Garden-Themed Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Sposto Photography
,Cake: SusieCakes
If you prefer real blooms over icing flowers, surround your simple wedding cake with fresh ones. This dessert's only accent is a flower arrangement under the top tier.
31. Simple Wedding Cake With "Just Married" Cake Topper
Photo: Maria Mack Photography
,Cake: Cake Life Bake Shop
Flecks of gold adorn the outside of this single-tier cutting cake and match the corresponding gold cake topper. If you're dreaming of a simple wedding cake with glam accents, this design is for you.
32. Classic Three-Tier Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Click Away Photography
,Cake: SWEET IT IS
Your simple wedding cake doesn't have to be tiny. If you want a towering treat, keep the rest of the design simple. Flowers and an elegant cake topper add just enough color to this minimal confection.
33. Boho Simple Wedding Cake
Photo: Derek Bedwell Photography
Make your bohemian dreams come to life by adding dried earthy accents to your wedding cake. Fresh fruit on the top layer brings some vibrancy color to an otherwise subdued palette.
34. Simple Store-Bought Wedding Cake
Photo: Timothy Faust Photography
,Cake: Whole Foods Boulder
Unique and simple wedding sheet cake ideas are all the rage right now. This couple took part in the trend by buying a sheet cake from Whole Foods Market, which was adorned with berries and two black wire bicycles to represent their love for biking.
35. Simple Semi-Naked Wedding Cake
Photo: Sposto Photography
,Cake: Sweet and Saucy Shop
If you're not sold on naked wedding cakes, go for semi-naked icing instead. Sheer layers barely reveal the cake underneath and act as its own design, so you don't need lots of other accents. Sparse flower clusters or leaves can help breathe life to the minimal tiers.
Additional reporting by Sarah Hanlon.
