Have you been hearing this term but haven't had the nerve to ask what it is? Then you'll be glad to know that the groom's cake is our topic today. We definitely want all you engaged couples up to date on the current trends for weddings.

The Groom's cake is actually not a new concept but may be unheard of where you live. It is said to have been created by French bakers in order that the wedding cake, which traditionally was broken over the newly wed couple's head, could stay intact. They used the groom's cake instead. Later, the breaking of the cake evolved into the slicing of the cake. This change resulted in the groom's cake becoming less popular as its purpose faded.

The groom's cake has now enjoyed a resurgence of its popularity. Many brides now wish to acknowledge the uniqueness of their grooms with these cakes. These cakes after all reflect not the bride's taste but that of the groom.

No longer is it necessary to stick to the traditional fruit or chocolate cake. Groom's cakes can be made in the groom's favorite flavor. If his favorite is lemon, that can be arranged.

Even the look of the groom's cake is all his. Some groom's cakes use the basic cake shape and just use a cake topper to reflect the groom's special interest. Other cakes are actually shaped to match the groom's special preferences. There are cakes that are football shaped, shaped like a stadium, shaped like cars, shaped like an ambulance... the list goes on. There are as many choices of cake designs as there are grooms. All you really need is a great imagination and a great baker.

Who chooses the groom's cake? There really isn't any hard and fast rule on this. Some brides are the ones who select this, hoping to show their new husbands how much they know them. The design therefore is kept secret until the big day.

Other couples prefer that the groom make the selection. After all it is his cake. He should have a cake that he loves taste, looks and all.

When do you serve the groom's cake? The groom's cake can be served at his stag party. It can be served at the rehearsal dinner. It can be served at the wedding. It can even be served to the wedding party as they relax now that the wedding reception is completely finished.

You may want to follow the other tradition of the groom's cake. The groom's cake isn't a big cake. Traditionally it is meant to be sliced and placed in boxes, which are then given to all the unmarried ladies attending the wedding. The slice of cake is meant to be placed under their pillow so that they will dream of their groom (whoever it shall be).

Tradition aside, the cake makes for a great alternative dessert to the wedding cake. It can also be a great souvenir of the wedding. So, more cake anyone?