14 Dark and Decadent Wedding Cakes

When it comes to wedding cakes, couples are increasingly stepping away from traditional white designs and embracing the allure of dark and decadent cake creations. This cake design is a great choice for those planning an autumn wedding, a moody but elegant affair, or even for the couple looking for a slight twist on tradition. These sumptuous confections not only look exquisite but also taste divine, with flavours ranging from indulgent chocolate ganache to sophisticated red velvet.

Whether you're planning a gothic-themed wedding or simply want to add a touch of opulence to your celebration, these dark and decadent wedding cakes are sure to inspire.

1/ Play With Light Colours

One of the best ways to create a moody and dark look is to play with lighter accents; the stark contrast of light and dark flowers against a mottled buttercream cake gives that perfect grunge look without having to sacrifice the grandeur and detail of a wedding.

2/ Add Texture Variation

If you're going with all one colour on your cake they consider adding design variations on each tier to create depth and dimension. Not only does this make your cake look taller and more interesting to the eye, if you're a buttercream lover but your partner is all about fondant then you can both have what you want!

3/ Go High

Not every cake has to be a huge, three tier display, if you're having a smaller wedding then a single tier, stacked cake can look and feel just as dramatic. In fact adding a lot of height to a single tier looks very chic and opens you up to a wealth of design variations.

4/ Gradient The Colour

Adding colour gradients along your cake helps to give a soft grunge look without having to go over the top. We love how this cake incorporates colours from the flowers into the buttercream without overpowering the painting.

5/ Play With Splatter Designs

If you're choosing a cake with a light base then consider adding accent details like drips and splatter. Not only does this break up the grey of the two tiered cake, but it helps to incorporate the toppers into the overall design.

6/ Go Wild With Flowers

Just go ham with the flowers! Black is a perfect base for a floral explosion cake since it contrasts against the colours, making them look even more vibrant. We're obsessed with the delicate lace detailing added on each tier too, helping the cake and the whispy vines tie into each other.

7/ Use Sugar Flowers

This cake is perfect for a moody, autumnal wedding. From the mottled blue and black base to the gold accents, but the real crowning glory is the topper of ornamental sugar flowers adding height to an otherwise petite dessert.

8/ Keep Things Geometric

There's something very rich about a geometric cake, not to mention it's actually quite difficult to do correctly. This three tier cake it geometry done right, and with the flower accents and trailing ribbon it looks and feels like Morticia Adam's wedding cake!

9/ Go Boho

Rustic-meets-modern with this boho-inspired design. Keeping the base cake simple with a rich navy, the dried flower topper just feels autumnal.

10/ It's In The Icing

Buttercream flowers are a great fit for any wedding aesthetic. They're incredibly versatile and can be crafted using a variety of different hues to match your colour palette. The bright red flowers against the soft sage green of the cakes feels elegant and dark without actually having to use a dark colour scheme.

11/ Stick To A Simple Colour Scheme

This deep green and rich red combo is vibrant, and show stopping, just going to show you don't have to overboard with your colour palette to achieve the same effect!

12/ Mix In Berries

When you think of a moody lipstick you think of berry, why not do the same for your cake! This cherries and berries cake is the perfect mix of delicate and dark without coming across as full gothic.

13/ Stacks On Stacks On Stacks

If you're having a large wedding then you need a large cake. We really love the variation of tier height in this five tier black cake, not only does it add visual interest, it allows for more concentrated decor!

14/ Don't Go Overboard

If all you want is a black cake then keep things simple! This three tier black cake is simple but beautifully accented by the monochrome fondant twist. The beauty of having a black cake is that it's already eye catching and breaking from the norm so you really don't have to go over the top decorating it if you don't want to.

- Gráinne