7 Shocking Details About Anya Taylor-Joy's 'Vampire Wedding' Cake That Broke All The Rules

The celebrity wedding cake world was turned upside down in 2024 when actress Anya Taylor-Joy finally revealed the jaw-dropping details of her secret first wedding to musician Malcolm McRae. The focus wasn't on a towering, traditional confection, but on a collection of cakes so unique and gothic they immediately earned the title of the "vampire wedding" cakes. This article, updated for December 2025, dives deep into the unsettling yet romantic choice that perfectly encapsulated the star's unique style: a collection of anatomically correct heart cakes.

The reveal, which came two years after the actual ceremony, confirmed that the star of The Queen's Gambit and Furiosa is anything but conventional. Far from the lavish, public spectacle of her 2023 Venice ceremony, her private New Orleans nuptials featured a dessert that was both shocking and deeply symbolic. We're exploring the full story, from the secret location to the unforgettable moment she cut the cake with a movie prop.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae: A Brief Profile

Anya Taylor-Joy and her husband, Malcolm McRae, are one of Hollywood's most private and fascinating couples. Their relationship timeline is marked by secrecy and unique, artistic expression.

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• Anya Taylor-Joy Full Name: Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy
• Date of Birth: April 16, 1996
• Place of Birth: Miami, Florida, U.S. (Raised in Argentina and England)
• Nationality: British, American, and Argentine
• Known For: The Queen's Gambit (Emmy nomination), The Witch, Split, Emma., The Menu, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
• Husband's Name: Malcolm McRae
• Husband's Occupation: Musician, Actor, and Model. He is part of the musical duo More*.
• First Secret Wedding Date: April 1, 2022 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Second Wedding Date: September 2023 (Venice, Italy)

The Anatomy of a 'Vampire Wedding' Cake: Anatomically Correct Hearts

The centerpiece of the New Orleans reception, a ceremony that the actress confirmed had a definite "vampire theme," was not a traditional cake, but a series of desserts that instantly became a viral sensation.

1. The Shocking Design: Anatomically Correct Hearts

Instead of a classic tiered cake adorned with flowers and fondant, Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae opted for individual cakes shaped like human hearts. Crucially, these weren't the stylized, romantic Valentine's hearts, but anatomically accurate representations of the organ.

The cakes were detailed, depicting the ventricles and arteries, giving them a distinctly gothic and slightly unsettling appearance. This bold choice perfectly matched the "vampire chic" aesthetic of the secret nuptials.

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2. A Symbol of Deep, Unconventional Love

While some found the design macabre, the choice of the anatomical heart is a powerful and ancient symbol. It represents true, deep, and visceral love—the literal core of a person. For a couple known for their artistic and unconventional personalities, this was a statement that their love was real, raw, and from the heart, not just a sugary fairy tale.

The actress shared photos of the cakes on her second wedding anniversary, writing, "Two years ago, on April Fools, I secretly married my best friend in New Orleans. The magic of that day is engrained in every cell of my being."

3. The New Orleans Setting and Gothic Vibe

The location of the first wedding—a historic cathedral in New Orleans—set the stage for the gothic romance. New Orleans, with its rich history, cemeteries, and reputation for the supernatural, provided the perfect backdrop for a "vampire wedding." The heart cakes served as a gruesome yet beautiful focal point for a celebration that eschewed Hollywood glamour for a more personal, dark romanticism.

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The aesthetic was further cemented by Anya's unique Dior wedding gown, which was embroidered with a hummingbird—a detail that, while less gothic, spoke to her personal connection to nature and symbolism.

The Most Badass Cake Cutting Ever: The Northman Sword

Perhaps the most unforgettable detail that surfaced in the 2024 revelations was the method they used to cut the unique heart cakes. This detail instantly elevated the story from a quirky celebrity wedding to a legendary moment of cinematic fandom and personal history.

4. Cutting the Cake with a Movie Prop

Instead of a traditional silver knife, Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae used a sword from the set of her 2022 film, The Northman.

The actress starred as Olga in the epic historical thriller, which was directed by Robert Eggers. Using a prop sword from one of her most intense and celebrated roles to cut her wedding cake is a move of pure, unadulterated "badass" energy. This detail demonstrates a deep appreciation for her career and a willingness to blend her professional and personal life in a memorable, playful way.

5. The Contrast with the Venice Wedding

It is important to note the stark contrast between the two ceremonies. The secret New Orleans event was intimate, gothic, and featured the unconventional heart cakes. The second ceremony in Venice, Italy, in late 2023, was a much grander affair held at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, attended by hundreds of guests including Cara Delevingne, Nicholas Hoult, and Miles Teller.

While details of the Venice cake are less publicized, the New Orleans "anatomical heart cakes" remain the most talked-about and defining dessert choice of their marriage. The two weddings perfectly reflect the duality of the star: private and rebellious, yet also celebrated and glamorous.

Topical Authority and LSI Entities: The Unique Wedding Ecosystem

The story of the wedding cake is just one element in a rich tapestry of unique details that provide topical authority around Anya Taylor-Joy's marriage. The following entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are crucial to understanding the full context of her nuptials:

6. Key Entities and Themes

• Malcolm McRae: Her husband and creative partner, whose rock musician background likely influenced the gothic aesthetic.
• New Orleans, Louisiana: The location of the secret first wedding, known for its historic and mystical atmosphere.
• Venice, Italy: The location of the larger, more public second wedding.
• Dior Wedding Gown: The custom-made dress, famously embroidered with a hummingbird, showcased her high-fashion connections.
• Vampire Wedding: The recurring theme used by the actress herself to describe the New Orleans event.
• The Northman: The film that provided the unique cake-cutting instrument.
• Palazzo Pisani Moretta: The opulent Venetian palace where the second ceremony took place.

7. The Enduring Legacy of the Anatomical Heart Cake

Anya Taylor-Joy’s choice of the anatomical heart cake has cemented her place as a trendsetter in unconventional wedding planning. It’s a powerful lesson for modern couples: your wedding dessert should reflect your personality, no matter how unusual. Her "vampire wedding" theme, complete with a dark, visceral cake and a movie prop sword, is a definitive example of a celebrity choosing authenticity and artistic expression over tradition.

The freshness of this story, revealed in 2024, ensures its continued relevance for years to come. It’s a blend of romance, gothic fantasy, and cinematic flair that will be discussed every time a celebrity dares to break the mold of the traditional white wedding. The anatomical heart cakes are more than just dessert; they are a symbol of a truly epic and unique love story.