Right on time ~ Weekly Words of Wisdom Arrived by Email

AAWP's Weekly Words of Wedding Wisdom™ Happy Thanksgiving Everyone... and More... Copyright 2008 Deborah McCoy, all rights reserved. Hi Jane Skarosi It's Thanksgiving Time and when we think of this festive holiday, we think of the Pilgrims and turkey and pumpkin pie. But do we ever associate Pilgrims with wedding cake? In actuality, we have the Pilgrims to thank for this wonderful, elegant and tasty tradition. The history of the wedding cake comes to America with the Pilgrims who traditionally served a rich fruitcake to celebrate the occasion. Fruit, nuts and spices being at a premium, these cakes were very special indeed. It wasn't until the 1800s, with the advent of baking powder, baking soda, and finely ground flour, that the "white" wedding cake was introduced. At that point, the fruitcake took a back seat to this new innovation, but it wasn't forgotten. Placed beside the bride's cake at the reception, the traditional fruitcake became known as the "groom's cake" and it was cut, boxed, and given to guests as a favor. Legend says that single guests, who put the boxed cake under their pillow would dream of their intended, hence the groom's cake became known as dreaming bread. Today, the groom's cake is still served at many receptions and may be any cake of the bride's and groom's choosing. Maybe the groom is a fisherman, and the cake takes the shape of a leaping blue marlin. Or maybe he's a football buff and the cake takes the shape of big, brown pigskin. the choice is yours. But just make sure of one thing: that your wedding cake-and groom's cake, if you choose-is as rich and succulent as the history of this wonderful wedding tradition. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!