During ancient Roman times, wedding ceremonies were finalized by breaking a thin loaf of bread above the head of the bride. The loaf was usually made of wheat which used to symbolize fertility before rice. It was believed that the more crumbs produced. the more children for the couple. After the loaf was broken, the wedding guests would gather the crumbs as a token of good luck.
Then, in the Middle Ages, wedding wheat loaves became sweet buns, and the guests were responsible for bringing some to the bride and groom as a gift. For fun, the mini-sweet cakes were piled up. The bride and groom would then attempt to kiss over the enormous pile, and if they succeed without toppling the pile, they would be prosperous for life.
Then during the reign of King Charles II of England, his chef supposedly decided that he would make the wedding cake tastier and iced the buns with white sugar.
The tradition of cutting the cake came from the Greeks. They believed that cutting the cake together would ensure them a fruitful life together.
Another cake-related tradition has the bride keeping a piece of her wedding cake so she will have a loving and faithful husband. Today, couples save the top layer of the wedding cake for them to eat during their first wedding anniversary.
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Sources:
The Wedding Cake Tradition http://www.weddinggazette.com/content/002183.shtml
Wedding Cakes. http://www.justbridesbyreneeshirley.com/Reception.html
Wedding Culture Ñ History. http://www.bridalzine.com/culturehistory.html
