Florists' Role In Wedding Cakes: Flowers Or No Flowers?

Whether florists or cake decorators should put flowers on wedding cakes is a topic of debate. Some people believe that florists should not be responsible for placing flowers on cakes, as they are not aware of the potential risks of using certain flowers and foliage. Cake decorators, on the other hand, are held accountable for the safety of the cake and its decorations. They are also more knowledgeable about which flowers are food-safe and can take the necessary precautions to ensure the flowers are handled correctly. However, some cake decorators have expressed frustration over florists insisting on placing flowers on cakes themselves, which can interfere with the overall cake design and potentially cause food safety issues. Ultimately, effective communication and collaboration between florists and cake decorators are essential to ensure the safety and satisfaction of the client.

Florists and cake decorators often disagree on who should place flowers on a wedding cake

From the cake decorator's perspective, allowing the florist to place the flowers on the cake can be nerve-wracking as they worry about the florist doing it badly and making their cake look bad. They also worry about the flowers not being wrapped properly, with the stems inserted directly into the cake, which could make people ill. Cake decorators also argue that they should be the ones to do ALL the decorating, especially if they have already discussed the design with the client and sketched out where the flowers should go.

On the other hand, some florists refuse to let cake decorators place their flowers on the cake, believing that cake decorators lack the knowledge needed to arrange flowers properly. Florists also may not be aware of which flowers are food safe, with some using toxic flowers that can be harmful to people or animals if ingested. This can cause liability issues for cake decorators, who are solely accountable for each cake's safety.

To resolve this disagreement, effective communication and collaboration between the florist and cake decorator are essential. It is important to establish who will be placing the flowers on the cake before the event to avoid any confusion or conflict on the day. Clear guidelines and legislation regarding the use of fresh flowers on cakes can also help to ensure the safety of the cake and reduce liability risks.

Ultimately, both florists and cake decorators want to create a beautiful and safe product for the client. By working together and respecting each other's expertise, they can ensure that the flowers on the wedding cake are arranged beautifully and safely.

Florists may not understand the importance of wrapping stems before placing flowers on cakes

Preventing Contamination

The primary concern is to prevent any contamination of the cake by the flower stems. Flowers are often treated with chemical pesticides, and even if they are organic, they can still carry dirt, bacteria, or insects. Wrapping the stems creates a protective barrier between the flowers and the cake, reducing the risk of any contaminants leaking into the cake layers or frosting. This is especially important if the flowers are not meant to be eaten and are simply for decoration.

Maintaining Cake Integrity

Inserting flower stems directly into the cake can also affect the structural integrity of the cake. The stems can create holes or cracks in the cake, causing it to crumble or collapse. Wrapping the stems with floral tape or plastic wrap helps to reinforce them and reduce the risk of damage to the cake. It also prevents the stems from poking through the sides of the cake, ensuring a neat and professional finish.

Prolonging Flower Freshness

Wrapping flower stems can also help to prolong the freshness of the flowers. The tape or plastic wrap holds in moisture and nourishment, keeping the flowers hydrated and vibrant for a longer period. This is crucial for wedding cakes or other special occasion cakes, as fresh flowers are often required to last for several hours before the event.

Creative Flexibility

Wrapping flower stems provides more creative flexibility when decorating cakes with flowers. It allows florists to position flowers at different angles and heights, creating dynamic and visually appealing arrangements. Wrapped stems can be easily inserted into bubble tea straws or other support structures, giving florists more options for securing flowers to the cake without damaging it.

Safety Precaution

Finally, wrapping stems is a safety precaution to protect the health of those who will consume the cake. Even if the flowers are non-toxic and edible, the fluids from the stems can have a bitter and unpleasant taste. By wrapping the stems, florists can prevent these fluids from leaking into the cake, ensuring a pleasant dining experience for guests.

Some flowers are toxic and should not be used on wedding cakes

Florists and cake decorators often disagree about who should be responsible for placing flowers on a wedding cake. While some florists insist on placing the flowers themselves, many cake decorators feel that this is part of the overall cake design and should be left to them.

However, one thing that both parties should agree on is that some flowers are toxic and should not be used on wedding cakes. Commercial flowers are often treated with a variety of chemicals, including fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, preservatives, and dyes, which can be harmful if consumed. Even if the flowers are washed, these chemicals may have permeated all areas of the flower and could leach into the cake.

Some flowers that are considered toxic and should be avoided include:

• Baby's Breath or Gyposphilia: This flower is toxic and should never be used as cake decoration. It can cause allergic reactions, and its sap can cause contact dermatitis, resulting in itching and a rash.
• Calla lilies, hydrangeas, carnations, and tulips: These popular wedding flowers are toxic and considered poisonous. They can cause mouth blisters, vomiting, and even be fatal.
• Peonies: While visually appealing, peonies are poisonous and should be kept away from food. They can cause illness in humans and are highly toxic to animals if consumed.
• Craspedia/Billy Ball, Frangipani/Plumeria, Lilies (including lily of the valley), and Agapanthus (African lily/Nerine): These flowers are also toxic and should be avoided.

To ensure the safety of your guests, it is crucial to select non-toxic and food-safe flowers for your wedding cake. If you want to use fresh flowers, look for organic, edible flowers grown specifically for consumption. Alternatively, you can opt for sugar or artificial flowers, which are always food-safe.

Sugar flowers are a popular alternative to fresh flowers on wedding cakes

Fresh flowers often come caked in dirty water or goo and may be infested with bugs or covered in dirt and debris. Florists do not typically wash every flower and do not need to ensure that each flower is dirt-free or bug-free. This can lead to an unsanitary situation, with the potential for illness due to exposure to contaminants.

Sugar flowers, on the other hand, are crafted with attention to detail and packaged carefully to ensure they arrive in perfect condition. They can be purchased pre-made or custom-made by cake artists and sugar florists. Sugar flowers are also a more versatile option, allowing for a greater range of flower varieties to be used in cake designs.

In addition, sugar flowers can be more cost-effective than fresh flowers, especially when taking into account the potential for additional fees associated with fresh flowers, such as delivery charges or the cost of organic flowers. Sugar flowers can be purchased in bundles or kits, making it easy to create a cohesive cake design without breaking the bank.

Overall, sugar flowers offer a safe, beautiful, and practical alternative to fresh flowers on wedding cakes, providing a stunning and edible work of art that guests will admire and enjoy.

Cake makers are accountable for the safety of their cakes, even if flowers are provided by a florist

Wedding cakes are often decorated with flowers, and these can be fresh flowers or sugar flowers. Fresh flowers are provided by a florist, and sugar flowers are crafted by the cake maker. While fresh flowers are popular, many popular wedding flowers are toxic and unsafe to be put on a cake. This includes gypsophila, eucalyptus, hydrangea, and lilies.

Even if the flowers are provided by a florist, the cake maker is accountable for the safety of the cake. This means that the cake maker must ensure that any flowers used are safe to be in contact with food. It is good practice to clean, treat, and wrap all fresh flowers and foliage that will be in contact with the cake. This includes wrapping stems in floral tape and inserting them into a food-safe posey pick or straw.

The cake maker is also responsible for ensuring that any flowers used are non-toxic. Some flowers, such as peonies, are poisonous and can cause illness if they come into contact with food. It is important to note that even organic flowers are not necessarily food-safe. Therefore, it is crucial for cake makers to do their research and understand which flowers are safe to use.

Effective communication between the florist and the cake maker is essential to ensure the safety of the cake. The florist should confirm that they have taken the necessary precautions with the wedding cake flowers. This can be done through a formal sign-off sheet to reduce any potential liability issues. Ultimately, however, the cake maker bears the liability if any issues arise from the flowers used on the cake.

Frequently asked questions