At first glance, it might seem like an odd preference. You’d expect round wedding cakes to take the spotlight—after all, they're classic, timeless, and well, kind of what everyone imagines when they picture a wedding cake. But if you've been to a few Canadian weddings recently, you've probably noticed something quietly happening in the background: square wedding cakes are everywhere. More and more couples are choosing them. And honestly? It makes sense.
Not that there's anything wrong with round cakes. They’re beautiful in their own way, and there's a certain romance attached to that soft, circular shape. But square cakes—there’s something about them. They feel intentional. Clean lines, crisp edges, that structured elegance. They’re bold without being loud.
I remember attending a wedding in Montreal last summer. The couple had a four-tier square cake—simple white fondant, minimalistic floral touches, a thin gold ribbon edging each layer. It wasn’t overdone, but it had this modern presence that almost upstaged the centerpieces. People kept circling around it, taking photos. No one said it out loud, but you could tell: the cake looked expensive. And maybe that’s part of the appeal too.
Now, I’m not saying that square cakes are always more expensive. They’re not. In fact, depending on the design and baker, they can be more affordable to stack and decorate than rounded tiers. But they give off this air of formality, a slightly luxurious edge. Perhaps it’s the symmetry, or maybe it’s just that we’ve seen too many round cakes, and square ones feel a bit more... curated?
Another thing—square cakes are incredibly versatile. Structurally, they’re easier to arrange when it comes to adding tiers. They’re also easier to portion out. I didn’t realize this until a baker friend casually mentioned it, but cutting a square cake is way more efficient. Clean slices, no awkward curves to work around, and it’s easier to estimate servings. For large weddings, especially the ones pushing 200 guests, that can really matter.
That said, not everyone chooses square cakes for practicality. A lot of couples, especially younger ones, just like the aesthetic. It feels contemporary. Almost architectural. And with the rise of minimalist wedding themes in Canada—neutral palettes, clean decor, lots of whites and creams—square cakes fit right in. They complement the setting rather than competing with it.
Still, there’s this funny contradiction. As much as square cakes feel modern, they can also feel a bit vintage. Think Art Deco, 1920s glam, that sort of vibe. I've seen bakers create these Gatsby-inspired designs—sharp lines, geometric patterns, metallic touches—and they work so well on a square canvas. Round cakes just don’t have the same visual strength for that kind of styling.
But of course, trends don’t spread just because something looks good. Word of mouth, social media, Pinterest—it all plays a role. You’ll find countless photos of Canadian weddings featuring square cakes, and once you see a few, it kind of sticks with you. Brides, planners, even guests—they start to associate square cakes with something a little more elevated.
Although, there’s always that one person who’ll say it looks too "boxy" or "too rigid." I've heard it. My cousin actually said it at a wedding we both attended in Ottawa. The cake had these perfectly smooth square tiers, and she tilted her head and whispered, “It looks like a stack of gift boxes. I don’t know, too neat for me.” And that’s fair. Not everyone connects with that visual.
But here’s the thing—when it comes to weddings, people aren’t just choosing what’s traditional anymore. There’s this push toward personalization. Couples want their weddings to reflect them, not just follow a script. And square cakes, because they break slightly from the “expected,” give that small-but-meaningful chance to be different. It’s not radical, but it’s enough to feel fresh.
Also worth noting: Canadian bakers have really stepped up their game. The skill level you see in bakeries now—especially in cities like Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver—is impressive. The execution is sharp, literally and figuratively. Bakers are layering textures, playing with fondant, buttercream, even incorporating edible fabrics and acrylic accents. And square tiers offer a larger “canvas,” if that makes sense. There’s more surface area to play with, to build out intricate designs or repeat subtle patterns. It’s a detail that most guests won’t consciously register, but they do notice something’s different.
I should probably also touch on the cultural factor. Canada is this beautiful patchwork of cultures and traditions. Some communities prefer elaborate multi-tiered cakes with ornate decor, others lean toward simplicity. Square cakes, in a strange way, bridge that gap. They can be dressed up or stripped down, depending on what the couple wants. It’s one of those rare formats that adapts well to varying traditions—without looking like it’s trying too hard.
That said, it’s not like every Canadian wedding is featuring a square cake now. Round ones are still very much around (pun not intended, or maybe just a little). And there are heart-shaped ones too, though those are more niche. But square cakes, I’d argue, have carved out their place—not just as a trend, but as a preference.
It’s also worth considering that weddings have changed. Post-pandemic especially, there’s more attention on intentionality. Smaller guest lists, curated menus, thoughtful details. A lot of people are choosing quality over quantity. And with that comes a shift in how things look. Cakes included. A square cake doesn’t just sit in the corner waiting to be cut—it feels more like a part of the decor. It’s aligned with the overall visual language of the event. Which sounds a little pretentious, maybe, but that’s how weddings have evolved.
And yet… part of me wonders if square cakes are just having their moment. Trends can be fickle. What’s “in” now might fade out five years down the line. Maybe we’ll all swing back to the romanticism of soft curves and cascading roses. Or maybe the next big thing will be hexagon cakes. (I’ve seen a few popping up already, so who knows.)
But for now, square wedding cakes are kind of everywhere in Canada. They’re clean, classy, versatile, and quietly dramatic. They say something without shouting. And perhaps that’s what couples are looking for: a cake that looks like it belongs, but still catches your eye.
In the end, people will always choose what feels right for them. But if you ask me, there’s something strangely satisfying about a cake with perfect 90-degree angles—like it’s been thought through, carefully crafted, and maybe even a little daring.
Not too daring. Just enough.
