Everything You Need to Know About Building the Perfect Cheese Cake for Weddings, Christmas, Thanksgiving & Celebrations

Cheese towers, Wedding cheese cakes, Festive Towers – whatever you call them – are fast becoming the preferred centre-piece for weddings, Christmas and Thanksgiving tables and large events. Discover why they’re both a practical and aesthetic alternative to the traditional fruit or sponge cake, and how to select, construct, and serve them like a professional.

Cheese Towers for Major Celebrations

Over the past decade, we have observed a growing appreciation for the cheese tower – an impressive, tiered construction of whole cheeses, often referred to as a celebratory cheese tower, wedding tower or wedding cheesecake.

Originally popularised at weddings as a statement alternative to the traditional tiered fruitcake, the cheese tower has since become a staple of nuptial celebrations. Its appeal has spread beyond weddings, now gracing Christmas tables, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events. The enduring charm of the cheese tower lies in its dual nature: a showcase of artisanal craftsmanship and a practical, crowd-pleasing centrepiece.

Cheese Towers for Christmas

Why Cheese Towers Make Excellent Centrepieces

A well-composed cheese tower is visually striking. The variation in rind colour, texture, and dimension provides visual depth and natural elegance. Each layer reflecting its origin few other foods can match. A truckle of farmhouse Cheddar with it’s rustic cloth binding contrasts beautifully against the delicate bloom of a mould-ripened Brie and the gnarly, mottled rind of a Blue Stilton.

When stacked and adorned with complementary accompaniments – think berries, figs, herbs or edible flowers – the result is both structurally impressive and visually stunning and a conversation piece that will linger well into the New Year.

A cheese tower is an effortlessly impressive way to wow your guests. It makes a stunning centrepiece, and a great conversation starter for anyone who’s never seen one before. For a little extra festive magic, we top ours with sparklers to make it shine as the ultimate showstopper and best of all, it couldn’t be easier. Simply stack the cheese, light the sparklers, and step back to watch your guests’ delight.

Ruth Raskin, Cheese Care & Quality Manager, The Fine Cheese Co.

Cheese Towers for Thanksgiving

Beyond their beauty, cheese towers are remarkably practical for large celebrations:

  • Functional: Serve large numbers efficiently and can be assembled in advance.
  • Flexible: Offer diverse flavour profiles and accommodate a wide range of palates and dietary preferences. No eggs or gluten* involved and cow’s, goat’s, sheep’s, and even plant-based cheeses can all be incorporated.
  • Economical: Reduced waste, as leftover cheese can be served in subsequent meals, incorporated into cooking, or gifted to guests.

They can be pre-assembled, transported easily, and served in portions suitable for both formal dining and relaxed grazing. From a practical perspective, few other centrepieces deliver so much sensory delight with so little compromise.

*check with your specialist retailer: a small number of cheeses may contact egg derivatives or gluten wash

Cheese towers are a standout statement piece of a wedding or event. They provide a wonderfully tasty and great looking alternative to traditional cakes and centre pieces.

Tom Richardson, Retail Sales Manager, Paxton & Whitfield

The Cheese Tower and the Modern Christmas Table

Seasonal Sophistication

In the UK, the fruit Christmas cake has long been a seasonal fixture. However, we recognise that tastes and traditions evolve. The rich, sugary treat, dense with dried fruit, candied peel, and layers of marzipan and icing, doesn’t resonate so much with modern preferences for freshness, savoury balance, less sugar and provenance.

Moreover, the once-cherished ritual of making the Christmas cake requires weeks of advance planning and preparation – from soaking and feeding to patient maturation (sound familiar?!). Contemporary households, often short on time, turn to commercially produced versions which can sometimes lack the depth and freshness of their homemade predecessors. Moreover, the resulting cake often lingers uneaten well into January, by which point most of us have returned to restraint and routine.

For the traditionalists: the Quicke’s Cheese “Little Down” cheese tower (above) actually incorporates a fruit cake, so you can have both!

By contrast, a Christmas cheese tower offers seasonal sophistication, featuring complex cheeses that pair beautifully with winter accompaniments such as chutneys, dried fruits and fortified wines. And all this without the time-consuming preparation of a traditional fruit cake.

However, who’s to say you can’t have both!

Cheese Towers: Selecting and Balancing Cheeses

Cheese Towers for Weddings and Large Gatherings

When designing a cheese tower, we advise consideration of both structure and flavour progression. A well-structured tower should mirror a well-curated cheese board, progressing from mild to robust and offering variation in texture. A balanced tower should incorporate at least one cheese from each of the main Make Post-Make categories: hard, crumbly and soft.

The Academy of Cheese’s Make, Post-Make Model: A Revolution in Cheese Classification

Starting with a solid foundation; hard cheeses such as cheddar, Comté, or aged Gouda provide the necessary firmness to support the upper layers. Softer cheeses may then be placed above, with small or delicate wheels reserved for the crown.

A well-balanced example might include:

  • Base layer: A firm, mature Cheddar, a mighty Alpine, such as Comte or a bold Red Leicester to provide stability.
  • Middle tiers: Semi-hard, or crumbly cheeses such as a Blue Stilton, Caerphilly, or Tomme de Savoie.
  • Top tier: Depending on how many layers, a buttery, mould-ripened brie, a pyramid-shaped goat’s, or sticky washed-rind would deliver balance, aromatic intensity and a suitable crown.

My recommendation is to always start with a cheddar base of at least 5cm and then build your way up!

Tom Richardson, Paxton & Whitfield
LEARNING ZONE Cheese Lovers Learning Zone Whether you’re a staunch supporter of artisan cheese or just passionate about good food, we’ve curated a special learning zone to elevate your cheese knowledge and deepen your appreciation.   

What Size Cheese?

Your choice of cheese will also be determined by the number of guests: a wheel of Le Gruyère AOP, for example, will be far too big for a festive family gathering, as would an 8kg truckle of cheddar. It is, however, worth speaking with your cheesemonger, as most will be happy to cut horizontally through some of the taller truckles.

Conversely, the top tier will, inevitably be the smallest of the cheeses. If you know camembert is a favourite of your guests, you may want to consider having top-up wheels prepped and ready to go.

Cornish Kern is a popular choice for a base; here one is cut horizontally. Photos courtesy of Little Mouse Cheese

When choosing cheeses for your tower, start with what you love and what you think your guests will enjoy too. A varied selection of cheeses, from hard to soft, creates wonderful layers of flavour and texture. A few sprigs of herbs, seasonal fruit or nuts add a wonderful splash of colour.

Emma Stoyle, Shop Manager, Quicke’s Cheese

Seasonality

Some cheeses, aren’t available all year around. Certain seasonal cheeses, including many sheep’s milk cheeses and younger, fresh cheeses may not be available come Christmas. Similarly, if you are wanting a Vacherin Mont D’Or for your Summer wedding, you will be disappointed. It is best to involve your cheesemonger and get their advice on availability.

Ripeness and Readiness

Each cheese must be selected at the correct stage of maturation. We encourage collaboration with a knowledgeable affineur or cheesemonger, who can advise on optimal ripening periods and storage to ensure peak condition at the time of service.

How much cheese do I need for my Cheese Tower?

One of the most common questions, and for good reason. Appropriate quantity planning is essential to avoid disappointment and wastage. As a guide, we suggest having 100 – 150g per person; 100g if the cheese is to be eaten straight after the main meal and more if it’s being eaten as a grazing or standalone course and/or you would like leftovers and goody bags.

For example:

  • 10 guests: approximately 1- 2 kg
  • 20 guests: approximately 2 – 5 kg
  • 50 guests: approximately 5 – 7.5 kg
  • 100 guests: approximately 10 – 15 kg

Quantities should be adjusted based on type of cheese, the rind and the event format. For instance, if a cheese has an unedible rind (such as in a waxed truckle), this should not be included in the weight.

Decorating A Cheese Tower

It is worth bearing in mind that most cheese towers are delivered without decoration, allowing for easy storage and integrity, but also so you can decorate them according to your chosen colour scheme.

For Christmas cheese towers, integrate seasonal accompaniments such as cranberries, figs and walnuts, which not only add a seasonal reference, are fantastic pairings for cheese, whilst decorative elements such as sprigs of rosemary or pine, dried orange slices and holly leaves add a rustic authenticity.

Quicke’s Cheese Sherwood Park Celebration Cheese Cake

Add height to your cheese cake tower by ordering glass separators for between the tiers.  The open tiers can then be decorated with flowers and fruit.

There are many ways to decorate your cheese tower. We’re also all for letting the cheese rind speak for itself by keeping it natural. 

Many cheeses have rinds that are too beautiful to embellish. Photo courtesy of Little Mouse Cheese

What is the Best Way to Serve a Celebration Cheese Cake?

In an ideal word, your caterers will take the layers away and cut them into cubes, slices, wedges and chunks ready for guests to help themselves with toothpicks etc. Make sure to ask the caterers to only cut a quarter at a time, to preserve any leftovers. Don’t forget to provide crackers, chutneys and knives alongside. We also suggest labelling the cheeses (with any allergen information) so guests know what they’re tasting.

You will need to check in advance that your caterers are happy to oblige and some cheeses will need specialist knives to cut.

If you are self-catering, we suggest you cut the larger wheels into sizeable wedges and/or quarters for the softer cheeses and let your guests go at it.

Where can I buy a Wedding Cheese Tower or Festive Cheese Cake?

Your Cheesemonger is your Friend

When planning a cheese tower, your cheesemonger is your greatest ally. Their expertise extends far beyond simple retail; they are trained in the art and science of cheese selection, maturation, and service. A skilled cheesemonger will advise on seasonal availability and suitability of cheeses for stacking – ensuring the chosen wheels complement both each other and the occasion.will ensure that you receive great service and that your cheese is looked after, in excellent condition and will arrive in a timely fashion.

They can guide you on quantities required, the optimal ordering and ripening window, and the correct storage and handling conditions to maintain each cheese in peak condition. They will also help you curate accompaniments – from crackers and chutneys to fruits, nuts, and charcuterie – as well as drink pairings that bring balance and harmony to the final tasting experience.

Cheese Tasting Sessions

Importantly, most cheesemongers now offer cheese tower tasting sessions, allowing you to sample potential cheeses in advance of your event. This not only ensures that the flavours, texture, and maturity meet your expectations, but also provides an opportunity to refine the aesthetic and structural design of your tower before the big day.

In essence, a trusted cheese specialist will ensure your cheeses are right for your event, that they are looked after, in excellent condition upon delivery and will arrive in a timely fashion. Their knowledge ensures that your cheese tower is not only structurally sound and visually striking, but also harmoniously composed, perfectly matured, and truly memorable.

Cheese Tower FAQs

Q: When should I order my Cheese Tower?

We recommend ordering at least 10–14 days in advance of your event. This allows your cheesemonger time to source, select, and prepare cheeses at their optimal stage of ripeness. For large weddings or bespoke orders, placing your order even earlier (3–4 weeks ahead) ensures the widest choice of seasonal cheeses.

Q: How should I store my cheeses before assembling the tower?

Keep your cheeses between 4–8 °C, ideally in a cool pantry, cellar, or dedicated cheese fridge. Wrap them in breathable waxed or parchment paper, never plastic. The wrapping the cheeses were sent to you in should prevent unwanted sweating or mould growth. If stored correctly, your cheeses will remain in peak condition until assembly.

Q: When should I assemble my Cheese Tower?

Consider timings of the wedding so that the caterers will know when to take the cheese out of the fridge to decorate it. Cheese tastes best at room temperature but left out too long and the quality of flavour and texture, not to mention best food practices could be compromised.

Bring the tower to room temperature for 1–2 hours before guests arrive. This is crucial for releasing the full aroma and flavour of the cheeses – when served too cold, textures firm up and complex aromas are suppressed. If your top tier is a soft cheese and the room temperature is warm, leave this until the last moment.

[Free Download] Cheese 101: Presenting & Serving Cheese

Q: Can I taste the cheeses before placing an order?

Yes – and we strongly encourage it. Most cheesemongers offer wedding cheese tower tasting sessions, where you can sample potential cheeses, discuss structure and design, and refine flavour combinations. This ensures that the tower suits both your palate and your event theme.

We suggest booking a tasting 6–8 weeks before your event, especially during peak wedding or festive seasons. This gives ample time to refine your selection, confirm availability, and coordinate logistics.

Q: How should I transport a cheese tower?

If collecting your tower, transport it in cool, ventilated conditions, away from direct sunlight or car heaters.

Q: How long will the cheese tower last after the event?

If stored correctly, leftover cheeses will keep well for several days or even weeks, depending on type. Hard cheeses can last for up to a month, while soft or blue cheeses should be eaten within 3–5 days. Wrap leftovers in waxed paper and store them in the salad draw of your fridge.

Q: What drinks pair best with a cheese tower?

The tower’s diversity allows for versatile pairings:

  • Sparkling wines (Champagne, Cava, English sparkling) pair beautifully with creamy and bloomy-rind cheeses.
  • Robust reds (Port, Rioja, Shiraz) complement mature and blue varieties.
  • Ciders, craft ales, and fortified wines offer excellent alternatives.
    Ask your cheesemonger for pairing notes tailored to your chosen cheeses.

Rachel Holding | Academy of Cheese Writer

Member of the Academy, Rachel loves a good cheese and wine session. Her love of all cheeses, artisanal or otherwise, has grown from her early years of working on the cheese counter at Fortnum & Mason.  She has a personal mission to taste as many cheeses as possible and to encourage this passion in others.