Everyone loves seeing the latest -- in gowns, hairstyles, and makeup -- since it's what's hot this minute. But even though you won't see them on a runway, wedding cakes follow trends too. For your wedding, think beyond basic fondant-covered tiers: Study up with our report on the latest ideas, then get ready to experience just how fashionably sweet cakes can be.

Trend 1: Stacked but Not Straight

What it is: Say au revoir to the classic wedding cake, with tiers separated by columns or stands. Cake designers tell us the big trends right now are stacked tiers with no space in between, and geometric shapes, with squares being a particular favorite. Truly modern couples (and their cake designers, naturally) are leaning toward off-kilter stacks, with all of the tiers aligned to one side or with each tier zigzagging to one side or the other for a slightly wilder look.

How to make it yours: Want to set your stack apart from the rest? Try one of these variations on the trend -- maybe one will be the next big thing. If you don’t want to go all square, alternate square tiers with round. Or try a more unique shape. Hexagonal (six-sided) cakes, with an aesthetic that's both modern and totally classic, are gaining popularity. But no matter what shape you choose, work with your cake designer to make sure that your tower won't be leaning -- at least not by accident.

Trend 2: It's All About Texture

What it is: Colorful cakes are still very in (at this point, they're here to stay). So what's new? Cake designers are experimenting with texture, whether it's embossing designs into frosting or fondant or sculpting a motif or pattern onto the cake as a bas-relief.

With this trend, the style inspiration tends to be taken straight from the fashion runways -- think beading, bows, threads, and lacelike embellishments. The best thing about this kind of creativity: It's almost always 100-percent edible.

How to make it yours: If you're planning on a rolled fondant-frosted cake, consider having it embossed or texture-pleated instead of flat. Another option is to use layers of fondant to create a pattern or design. Gum paste, which is an easily moldable fine sugar paste, can also be sculpted on fondant, whether in a classic style (think Wedgwood) or for a more modern look (like funky polka dots).

Trend 3: Beyond Flowers

What it is: Flowers will always be a classic, but trendy to-be-weds and cutting-edge cake designers are rethinking blooms. They're going beyond bunches of roses to carefully crafted sugar blossoms and even abstract floral patterns, or eschewing blooms for feathers, Swarovski crystal monograms, chocolate shards or gold stars.

How to make it yours: Instead of simply reverting to roses, draw inspiration from almost anything: the season in which you are marrying, your wedding day motif, or even your gown. Choose a part of your wedding that you especially love (the wording of your save-the-dates? the sashes on your bridesmaid dresses?) and find a way to incorporate it into your cake.

If you stick with flowers (since let's face it: they're still a wedding day classic, and this is our flower issue), go more modern by looking beyond the classic cascade. Consider having your cake baker create tiny, delicate flowers to accent the cake; a cake topper that’s a vase (made of sugar) with sugar flowers coming out of it; or a single large flower (an open parrot tulip or a peony, for instance) to top it off. Three-dimensional cutouts of flowers appliqued to the tiers look great.

Trend 4: Creative Cake Toppers

What it is: These days, cakes aren't just getting iced, they're getting iced out. There's a rising trend in cake jewelry, such as floral pins and elegant crowns and tiaras for the tops of cakes. In fact, after years of being almost forgotten, cake toppers are making a major comeback, so don't be afraid to pick something fun to cap off your cake. (If you're not going to use edible decorations, just be sure that your caterer knows to remove them before serving -- and if you want it saved as a memento, delegate somebody to wrap it up.)

How to make it yours: Pick a cake topper that's a perfect match for the top of you. If you're choosing cake jewelry, try to find a piece that matches the style of your wedding day accessories or even your engagement ring. One to check out? Bridal accessory designer Debra Moreland for PARIS helped pioneer this trend with her line of cake jewelry.

Want a classic bride and groom? Create a perfect pair that actually looks like the two of you -- The Knot Shop (sorry, we had to say so!) has adorable interchangeable cake toppers with brides and grooms of different races that you can mix and match. Another favorite of ours: the chocolate bride and groom toppers from Li-Lac Chocolates (Li-LacChocolates.com). No matter what you choose, find something that fits your personalities and your wedding style and you can’t go wrong.

Trend 5: Pies Are the New Cupcakes

What it is: A couple of years back, trend-savvy twosomes started skipping the traditional wedding cake in favor of stacks of cupcakes. Now the most fashionable couples have turned to fruit, with pies fast becoming the wedding dessert du jour. Why? They're fun and unfussy but still feel like a real dessert. What's not to love?

How to make it yours: Pick your fave flavors and fruits, naturally! You should also ask your caterer or baker how the pies can be decorated—perhaps your monogram done in ropes of piecrust? You might also think of providing your baker with cookie cutters that fit with your wedding theme --pieces of piecrust in fun shapes can sit atop the normal crust or right on the fruit. Another option: Set up some pretty pies as a display and serve guests individual tart-size desserts.

Knot Note: Still want to have your cake? Instead of doing a full-scale cake, set out an array of single-layer ones in different flavors (you can have each one frosted differently, too).

Trend 6: Edible Ink

What it is: Didn't think wedding cakes could go high tech? Think again. One of the hottest trends emerging right now involves working with edible "paper and ink" to create designs that would otherwise be nearly impossible (or at the least, impossibly expensive) to create. You make a design on a computer and then the cake designer prints the image on the edible paper, which is actually extremely thin rolled fondant. These can then be wrapped around the cake or placed on specific sections to create a design.

How to make it yours: If you can dream it, chances are you can print it out, so if your baker has this technology it's your chance to get really creative. Some of our favorite ideas: incorporating the wording and design from your wedding invites, creating an intricate pattern, or including photos of the two of you (from baby pics to your engagement photo).

Trend 7: Fancy Frosting

What it is: There are two basic kinds of frosting, buttercream and rolled fondant, but we're starting to see couples get a bit more experimental. After all, basic buttercream, though
delicious, won't hold up in heat, and fondant -- even though it's gorgeous -- isn’t the most flavorful topping. So what's new on the horizon? Fun flavors and colors -- like chocolate buttercream or vividly hued fondant -- and a few new toppings that are unconventional.

Marzipan (almond paste), a classic European favorite, has started making its way stateside. It gives the same smooth finish as fondant, but to some has a more pleasant taste. The only downside? Its natural color isn't white, so unless you're happy with ivory, you'll need to have the cake painted or decorated to cover it up. We've also noticed chocolate ganache making the leap from groom's cakes to the wedding cake -- a chic, fashionable way to indulge your chocolate cravings.

How to make it yours: If you're choosing fondant, don't be afraid to flavor it, and have the cake frosted with a layer of buttercream beneath for the best of both worlds -- you'll have the look of fondant and the taste of the buttercream. Or, instead of one of the new topcoats, try just adding some touches to your classic cake -- for example, adorn it with sculpted pieces of marzipan or ribbons of chocolate. Either way, the results are bound to be delicious.