Wedding Cake Trends 2025/2026 | Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter Valley
THE TOP WEDDING CAKE TRENDS OF 2025 – FOR NEWCASTLE, LAKE MACQUARIE & THE HUNTER VALLEY
Are you planning your wedding in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley — and want a cake that truly makes an impression? As a cake designer based in Valentine servicing this region, I’ve seen what couples are loving for 2025, and what enquiries keep coming in for 2026. Whether you’re after bold impact or refined elegance, here are the key wedding-cake trends to watch — plus how they translate beautifully in our local venues.
1. The Ever-Popular Millefoglie / Millefeuille
Photographer: Little Black Bow (littleblackbowphotography.com.au)
Yes — this Italian layered pastry-cake hybrid is still very much in demand. With crisp puff pastry, luscious cream, fresh berries and sometimes a pistachio creme drizzle, it offers an elegant alternative to a traditional tiered cake. Whether your venue is a vineyard in Pokolbin or a Lakeside reception in Lake Macquarie, the Millefoglie delivers both flavour and visual impact (and I’ve had many enquiries recently).
2. Vintage Piped Buttercream & Heart-Shaped Designs
There’s a real resurgence of vintage-style cakes this year. Think intricate Lambeth piping, pearl accents, retro heart shapes and nostalgic forms — perfect for couples wanting old-world charm with modern taste. This style works beautifully in heritage venues around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley: soft pastels, ornate decorations and buttercream-driven elegance.
3. Oversized / Super-Sized Celebration Cakes
Go big or go home” is very much alive in 2025. Sky-high multi-tier cakes, ultra-wide single tiers packed with fresh fruit (raspberries are trending) and dramatic statement pieces are all trending. In the Hunter Valley where many venues offer generous space, this is a great way to wow guests.
4. Bold Colour Palettes & Artistic Texture
Photographer: Jack Chauvel // Hunter Valley Wedding Photographer
Step aside plain white — bold jewel tones, deep blacks with metallic accents, painterly finishes and textured buttercream are very much in. Whether you’re using emerald green tiers, black with gold foil, a hand-painted design, or elaborate decor, the key is making the cake reflect your style and the venue’s feel. For example, a modern Lake Macquarie waterfront wedding could pair beautifully with a textured buttercream wave motif or bold coastal palette.
5. Botanical & Edible Florals
Photographer: Home - Jimmy Raper (jrwp.com.au)
Floral decoration continues to dominate — but now in more dynamic forms: piped florals, fresh blooms, dried/pressed flowers, even edible herbs and fruits woven into the cake. For garden-style weddings in venues around Maitland or Port Stephens, these floral touches bring your dessert into the venue’s natural setting.
6. Sustainable & Locally-Sourced Ingredients
In 2025, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s becoming a core value for many couples planning their Newcastle and Hunter Valley weddings. More and more brides and grooms are choosing to celebrate consciously, and that extends to their cake.
At Cakes by Han, we’re proud to keep things close to home — sourcing local, organic fruit from growers across the Hunter and Lake Macquarie regions and growing our own edible flowers to decorate each cake naturally. These sustainable choices don’t just make for a greener celebration — they also mean your wedding cake tastes fresh, vibrant, and true to our beautiful region. Whether it’s a buttercream tier adorned with home-grown blooms or a rustic pavlova piled high with local fruit, every detail is considered with care for both flavour and footprint. Choosing a sustainably made cake is a delicious way to honour your values, your local community, and the stunning region that makes it all possible 💚
7. Unique Shapes & Alternative Formats
Tiers are no longer the only option: dome-shaped cakes, long sheet or tray cakes, narrow rectangle tiers and asymmetric stacks are all trending. These formats can suit intimate weddings in Lake Macquarie or more casual celebrations in Port Stephens.
8. Giant Tiramisu & Pavlova Style Cakes
Beyond design, flavour combinations are becoming more adventurous. Think: tiramisu-style cakes, pistachio filling, lemon lavender, matcha yuzu, and more. This is a chance to let your cake reflect your personality — and surprise guests. Many couples I’ve spoken with around Newcastle are excited by the idea of a layered tiramisu or pavlova-inspired wedding dessert.
One of the most exciting trends for 2025 weddings in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley region is the move beyond a “standard tiered sponge cake” to centrepieces that are truly statement desserts — especially giant tiramisu cakes and scaled-up pavlova creations.
💡 How to Choose the Right Trend for Your Day
● Choose a design that complements your venue (heritage house, vineyard, beachside).
● Pick flavours that reflect you — whether classic or bold.
● Consider guest numbers & logistics (especially for oversized cakes or alternative formats).
● Discuss sustainable options if that’s important to you.
● Always ensure your cake will photograph beautifully at your Newcastle / Hunter Valley venue.
Whether your style is bold and dramatic, soft and romantic, or somewhere in between — there’s a 2025 trend here that will suit your day. Let’s create a cake that not only tastes fabulous but becomes a centrepiece your guests will remember.