The nostalgic traditions of wedding cake charms and ribbon pulling ceremonies are making a comeback. So, you may want to plan to treat your bridesmaids to a traditional charming cake at your bridesmaids’ luncheon.

Wedding charm cakes date back to the Victorian era. A bride would hide small charms attached to ribbons in the bottom layer of her wedding cake. Only the ribbon extended from the perimeter of the cake. She would then ask each of her bridesmaids to pull a charm from the cake before it was cut. Each charm held significance and foretold the bridesmaid’s future.

Today the allure of charm cakes continues at wedding showers and bridesmaids’ luncheons. Each silver-plated or sterling charm is symbolic: a shamrock foretells good luck; a rocking chair represents longevity of life; and a flower basket denotes blossoming love. Color- coded satin ribbons are attached to each charm so that single, married, and junior bridesmaids may pull charms with appropriate messages.

The charms need not only be symbolic for an individual bridesmaid; they may also tell a story of the bride and groom. Party hosts often choose charms that tell the special story of the bride and groom’s love.

A flower basket charm in the cake can signify the couple’s initial blossoming love. Two heart charms in the cake signify the bride’s true love for the groom and his true love for her. Other charms represent wishes for the marriage: a wreath for a happy home, a dollar sign for good fortune, a captain’s wheel for travel and adventure, and so on. The pulling of the charms should be significant to both the bride and her bridesmaids.

Along with their symbolism, wedding charms also make for unique gifts. Bridesmaids may use them as pendants or wear them on charm bracelets. More importantly, they are a reminder of a very special time in a bride’s life.

And who knows? They may also predict who will catch the bouquet at the wedding reception. Legend says that whoever pulls the engagement ring charm from the wedding charm cake can expect to be the next bride. And, legend is where a dream can begin!

Wedding cake charms are available in bridal shops or catalogs. The following is a listing of many of the various charm types with their symbolism:
 

• Airplane - A life of adventure and travel
• Anchor - A life of stability
• Baby Booty - A life with happy and healthy children
• Captain’s Wheel - A life of adventure and travel
• Carriage - A fairly tale life
• Church - Next to be married
• Cross - A life full of peace
• Cupid - Love will strike
• Eiffel Tower - A life of travel
• Entangled Hearts - An everlasting love
• Flower - A blossoming relationship
• Frog - You will kiss a prince
• Four Leaf Clover - Good luck in your future
• Heart - Your love is a true love
• Heart with Hands - A life filled with love
• High Chair - A life with happy and healthy children
• Holy Bible - A peaceful life
• Hope Chest - A marriage in the future
• Horseshoe - Good luck will come your way
• Kite - A life of fun and leisure
• Magic Lamp - A life of magic
• Moneybag - A life with financial security
• Oil Derrick - A wealthy life
• Owl - A life of wisdom
• Pacifier - Next to have a baby
• Picture frame - A happy marriage
• Rings - Engagement in near future
• Rocking Chair - A long, happy life
• Rose - A life of beauty
• Shamrock - Good luck will find you
• Star - A wish will be granted
• Telephone - Good news is coming your way
• Unicorn - A life of fantasy
• Wedding Cake - Next to be married
• Wedding Bells - Next to be married
• Wedding Couple - A wedding in the near future
• Wine Carafe - A life of romance
• Wishbone - Good luck in love
• Wishing Well - A wish will be granted
• Wreath - A happy home