When you are thinking of wedding receptions, what is the main item that they all contain? A "stately mountain of snowy frosting and royal icing blossoms," (from "The Perfect Wedding Cake" by Kate Manchester), aka the wedding cake! Not too shabby for a dessert which dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. But back in those times, there was no ornately decorated, tasty, sugary confection.  In its place, a loaf of barley bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize her fertility.  Your hair would be an absolute mess. That barley bread tradition evolved into today’s wedding cake. The symbolism of the cake and the cake cutting ceremony evolved into your first act together as a married couple, your desire and commitment to provide for each other, and the sweet life you will have together.

This was taken from an article by Jean Neuhart

She is an incredible writer with great knowledge in the wedding arena.