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30 Modern Wedding Cakes

From gorgeous geometric designs to ultra-contemporary confections.

Updated 06/29/21

Black Square Wedding Cakes with Gold Detailing — Photo by Fondly Forever Photography

We're forever fans of frosting frills and flowers adorning classic wedding cake confections. But nothing gives us a sugar rush quite like sleek and refined modern wedding cakes. In the age of modern love, couples are also going contemporary with their big day desserts—we're fawning over the resulting looks.

Here's the proof: The 21st century has never been so delicious. Though towering tiers of white fondant will probably never go out of style (the decadent dessert has prevailed through the decades), but the new classics in confections have earned their place on the wedding dessert table and we couldn't be more excited to take a bite out of this yummy trend.

Nowadays, more and more couples are hungry for a big day treat that's reflective of their own unique style—cue contemporary cakes. These modern wedding cakes are crazy-cool and dripping with personality, thanks to geometric detailing, moody dark hues, metallic flourishes, and can't-believe-our-eyes pared-down art-gallery-worthy designs.

Ready to go modern, über-chic couples? Scroll through to see the new wedding cakes of the decade.

Geometric Shapes

Modern wedding cake — Photo and Concept by Nienke van Denderen; Cake by Astrids Bakkerij; Styling by Much Love

Triangular-cut fondant in hues of black, gray, and white crawl up this two-tiered cake.

Clean Lines

This minimalist confection is crowned with pretty prisms.

Metallic Accents

Photo by Kim Lyn Photography; Cake by Sweet Indulgence; Event Design by Cristen of Cristen & Co.

An industrial topper, an unexpected metal tier, and gold detailing, make up this trifecta of modernity.

Works of Art

These three square-shaped black cakes drizzled with gold look more like art installations than dessert.

Cool Colors

Photo by Monique Serra Photography; Cake by Flour & Flourish

A dotted and linear design makes this cool, dark-hued cake even more so.

Watercolor Details

Geometric accents and a wash of watercolor modernize this three-tiered confection.

Tonal Hues

This otherwise classic, two-tiered white wedding cake is given a subtle watercolor wash of gray and charcoal hues.

Black and Florals

Black Four-Tiered Wedding Cake with Flowers — Photo by Stewart Uy Photography; Cake by Vanilla Bake Shop

Blush florals and a deep dark hue make this dessert both lush and romantic, and dark and dreamy.

Angular Add-Ons

Photo by Mallory Berry for MGB Photo; Cake by Toni Patisserie; Himmeli Ornaments by Hemleva

A classic all-white confection can still feel contemporary, thanks to unique angular detailing.

Deep Ombré

Photo by Kristyn Harder Photography; Cake by Pretty Sweet YYC; Planning and Design by Evelyn Clark Weddings

This contemporary confection features dark, ombré watercolor and a frost of metallic detailing.

Tiny Succulents

Modern cake — Photo by Carrie J. Photography; Cake by Le Dolci; Table Setting by The Perfect Table; Calligraphy Runner by Thunderloft Paper; Planning by HoneyLemon Events

Say goodbye to the traditional bride and groom. This cactus wedding cake topper is so desert cool.

Marble Effect

Photo by Alicia Hauff Photography; Cake by Sweets Geeky Cakes

Richly marbleized fondant covers these moody, formal tiers.

Earth Tones

Watercolor Drip Wedding Cake — Photo by Rachel Joy Baransi

This single-tiered cake featuring muted watercolors and a dripping glaze is the perfect end to contemporary, seaside nuptials.

Textured Fondant

Photo by Rebekah Senter Photography; Cake by The Cupcake Shoppe Raleigh; Florals by BowerBird Flowers; Event Design by Stephanie Scholl Events

Subtle texture revamps this classic design.

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Cakes

Sculptural Toppers

Marble-like edible artwork blooms out of this spherical sweet treat.

Unexpected Romance

Photo by Heidi Ryder Photography; Cake by Sweet E’s Bake Shop

Simple and sweet, this one-tiered beauty combines a deep blue hue with a modern metallic gold.

Color Blocking

Photo by Stephanie Yonce Photography; Cake by Sweet Fix; Planning & Design by LK Events & Design

Cake color blocking? Yes, please.

Square vs. Round

Linear shapes and a bit of color blocking make this square confection totally contemporary.

Or Even Hexagonal

This haute hexagonal wedding cake is everything.

More Marble

Marle cake — Photo by Hanna Photography; Cake by Frost It Cakery

Modernity can still be clean and classic, as proven by this marble effect.

Striking Contrats

Photo by Sheila Nolt Photography; Cake by 50/Fifty The Art of Dessert.

Minimalist and modern, this wedding cake is a contemporary bride's dessert of choice.

Rose Gold and Sugar Flowers

Photo by Justin Lee Weddings; Cake by Jennifer of Sugarsuckle

This wedding cake is perfectly balanced thanks to the classic, romantic sugar flowers and rose-gold modern geometric details.

Don't Discount Fringe

Photo by Jen Rodriguez; Cake by Paper Cake Events

Unexpected string-like frosting detailing is the contemporary way to do a white wedding cake.

Pretty Prisms

Photo by Blush Wedding Photography; Cake by Cake by Nicole.

Pretty prisms top off this three-tiered marble wedding cake.

Glam Foil

Photo by Haley Austin; Cake by Sweets by Millie

A flourish of gold foil is a modern way to go glam.

White Blooms on Gray

A gorgeous gray tint, wash of gold color, and lush white blooms are both romantic and marvelously modern.

Straight Up & Down

What goes better with a rose-gold wedding cake than actual roses?

Glimmering Geodes

Photo by Izzy Hudgins; Cake by A Squad Bake Shop

Pink geode-inspired detailing balances the minimalism and glamour of this modern big-day dessert.

Linear Designs

We're loving the linear, metallic design on this white wedding cake.

Petals, Leaves, and Marble

Swirls of marbleized gray hues modernize this sweet wedding treat.