We stabilized the whipped cream with gelatin, so you’ll find a way to assemble the cake early in the day and the frosting won’t weep. There’s one thing for everyone when each tier boasts a personality all its own, from feminine ruffles, to gold leaf, to fluid watercolors, to monochromatic magic. The flavors also follow suit with choices from boozy fruit cake, honey and almond cake, Victoria sponge cake with rosewater buttercream, and raspberry and white chocolate. While it can be straightforward to get distracted by all of the bells and whistles of fondants and luxe gilded accents, there’s something inherently fascinating and comforting a couple of homey, bare wedding cake. With a neutral shade palette and a bevy of recent roses, peonies, and olive branches, this humble masterpiece is simply as gorgeous as its decked-out counterparts.

• I served it with yogurt and some spoonfuls of freshly-brewed earl grey tea