Gluten Free Wedding Cakes

Chelsea Clinton's Gluten-Free Wedding Cake

We have lived in a world of gluten-laden weddings for decades, but now that we have an awareness of gluten sensitivity -- and the often life-threatening concerns that Celiac Disease sufferers endure -- it's really quite easy to accommodate guests, family members, and even the bride and groom. More and more brides are choosing to adopt partial or full gluten-free menus, and that includes the wedding cake.


Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye. The problem for people who are gluten sensitive is that it's not just enough to avoid eating products containing gluten. A "gluten free" item has to be carefully prepared so that it doesn't come into contact with foods containing gluten.

Brides are more frequently opting to play it safe and offer an entirely gluten-free wedding menu. The issue received widespread attention when Chelsea Clinton announced that her wedding menu would be vegan and her wedding cake would be a gluten-free cake, and other brides have followed suit.

Thinking of going gluten-free? Here are some tips that will help you make sure that all of your guests are able to enjoy your bridal dinner and most importantly, your beautiful cake.

1. Explore the Gluten Free Registry. You can find area restaurants that offer gluten-free menus and you can find bakeries and catering companies that can accommodate your menus and even your cake. this can be helpful for your out-of-town guests who have special dietary needs. 
2. Have prepared questions that you can reference when talking to caterers and ask specifically if they have experience in meeting the needs of brides who are looking for gluten-free offerings.
3. Carefully communicate your needs to your baker or caterer.
4. Make sure that you will be able to taste samples of their gluten-free cakes.
5. If you're going to have both gluten-free and non-gluten-free foods, have a careful floor plan in place to show where specific items will be placed. Follow the advice of this bride, who learned the hard way.
6. Do some research and be creative. This Mexican gluten-free paleo wedding feast is one example of how fabulous a gluten-free feast can be.  
7. If you don't want a completely gluten-free wedding cake, consider the option used by some brides in which the top tier is gluten-free. Be sure and follow careful guidelines of separation to avoid cross-contamination. 

Times have changed. Eating gluten-free posed a challenge in years past, but not anymore.