the only real cake was the top 8", which was designed to mimic my mothers wedding dress. we met my parents in gatlinburg to celebrate their 40th anniversary and this was my surprise for them...good lord, the whole weekend,they'd tell anyone who even stood still long enough about how we surprised them...i am so happy that i was able to make them this proud...they said they'd remember it till the day they died and that it was the best surprise they'd ever had!!