The first wedding cake, as we know it today, commemorated the marriage of Queen Victoria’s daughter in 1859.

In nineteenth century Europe, the pillars that held up the layers of the wedding cake were made of broom handles.

Early bakers of wedding cakes, not being as skilled as today’s Bella Terrazza bakers, often watched as the top layers of their wedding cakes slowly sank into the bottom layer.

The first wedding cakes were actually thin loaves of bread sometimes baked in the shape of birds.

In Roman times, cakes were broken over the head of the bride to wish the newlyweds good fortune and fertility. The guests then scrambled for the pieces to take some good fortune for themselves.

An ancient British tradition called on the wedding guests to layer cakes or breads into a pile. The bride and groom would then try to kiss over the pile without knocking it over. If they succeeded, they were said to be guaranteed a lifetime of prosperity.

Tradition says that if wedding guests put a piece of the groom’s cake under their pillow the night of the wedding, they will dream of their own future marriage partner.

While an English bride might want to get to the church on time, a stop to kiss a chimney sweep is considered good luck.

The top layer of the wedding cake is often frozen and eaten by the bride and groom on their first anniversary.