Creative Cake Toppers: Diy Wedding Guide

DIY wedding cake toppers are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're a DIY newbie or a pro, there are plenty of ideas to choose from, such as rustic twig cake toppers, glitter cardstock designs, or recycled CD toppers. You can even sell your creations on Etsy! With a little time and effort, you can create a unique and memorable cake topper that will be a special keepsake for years to come.

Using a Cricut machine

A Cricut machine can be used to create a personalised wedding cake topper, and there are a few ways to do it.

Firstly, you can use the Cricut Design Space to access hundreds of paper craft projects and design your own. You can also browse Pinterest for inspiration, then design your own topper to suit your event.

If you are creating your own design, it is recommended to add a stroke to the lettering or underscore slender fonts with a thick line to ensure the topper can hold its rigid shape. You can also use iron-on vinyl and a Cricut EasyPress Mini to adhere small names and words to cardstock.

If you are using a Cricut machine, you will need to load your images into the Cricut Design Space. Set the design as moderately complex to ensure delicate designs are cut with precision. Size the image to the width of your cake and centre it on the cutting mat. If you are using a glitter cardstock, select this in the Cricut Design Space.

Once you have cut out your design, weed out the topper and use a scraper to easily remove it from the cutting mat. If you want to add backing support, cut the image again on a poster board. Glue the topper to bamboo skewers and place it on your cake.

If you are cutting out wood with a Cricut machine, it is recommended to use a strong grip cutting mat and line your wood up in the top left corner. Use masking tape around the outside of the wood to tape down the edges and give it extra hold. You will need to insert a knife blade into your Cricut machine.

Before removing your project from the Cricut machine, check that the topper is cut all the way through by gently pushing down on the cut piece to see if it moves. If it isn't cut through, add more passes before unloading the mat. You can also use the Cricut True Control knife to cut through any spots that need it.

Using chipboard

Materials and Tools:

• Cricut Maker
• Cricut Knife Blade
• Cricut Strong Grip Mat
• Heavy Chipboard (Cricut Chipboard is recommended)
• Masking Tape or Painter's Tape (low-tack tape)
• Mod Podge or Similar Sealer
• Paint or Spray Paint in your Choice of Colour
• Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue
• Bamboo Skewers or Dowel

Step 1: Calibrate Your Cricut Knife Blade

Install the knife blade into your Cricut Maker and calibrate it with your machine. This step is crucial and only needs to be done once for each knife blade.

Step 2: Design Your Cake Topper

Create your desired cake topper design using Cricut Design Space or another design program. You can find free cake topper designs online or create your own personalized design. Common wedding cake topper designs include "MR & MRS", "love", a couple silhouette, or monogram initials.

Step 3: Cut the Chipboard

Secure the chipboard to the strong grip mat using masking tape on all four edges. Ensure the tape is firmly attached to prevent the chipboard from shifting during the cutting process. Follow the instructions on your Cricut Maker to cut out your design. The machine will make multiple passes to cut through the thick chipboard. You may need to stop the machine early if you find that your design is already fully cut out.

Step 4: Finish the Cake Topper

Once your design is cut out, carefully remove it from the mat. Use a weeding tool to remove any enclosed cut-out parts and a nail file to smooth out any rough edges. Apply a layer of Mod Podge or a similar sealer to the chipboard to prevent it from absorbing paint and warping. Paint your cake topper with your chosen colour of paint or spray paint. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 5: Assemble the Cake Topper

If your design has multiple pieces, use hot glue to attach them together. Then, attach a bamboo skewer or dowel to the back of the cake topper using hot glue. Ensure the glue is dry before placing the topper on your wedding cake.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful, custom chipboard wedding cake topper that will be a special keepsake for years to come.

Using glitter cardstock

Materials and Tools:

• Smart cutting machine (such as a Cricut or Silhouette machine)
• Cutting mat and weeding tool
• Gold glitter cardstock (look for a thicker variety to ensure durability)
• Wooden skewers
• Multipurpose adhesive spray
• Hot glue gun or regular craft glue
• Poster board (optional but recommended for added stability)
• Mod Podge or Super Glue (optional)

Step 1: Choose a Font and Design:

Select a font that is thick and easy to overlap letters, such as October Twilight or Noelan. Type your desired text (such as "Mr and Mrs", "Love", or your names) and adjust the line height so that the words overlap slightly. You can also create more intricate designs by ungrouping the words and letters to create a condensed design with interlocking letters.

Step 2: Resize and Cut:

Resize the design to fit the diameter of your cake. For example, if your cake is 7" wide, make the topper about 6.5" in width. Set your cutting machine to Poster Board as the material and cut the design from the glitter cardstock. If you're using a Cricut machine, select Glitter Cardstock in the Cricut Design Space.

Step 3: Weed and Spray:

Carefully weed out your design, being gentle around any intricate details. To add extra strength to the cardstock and prevent glitter from falling onto the cake, spray the topper with adhesive spray. You can layer parchment paper over newspaper to catch any excess glitter.

Step 4: Attach Skewers:

Trim two wooden skewers to fit the height of your cake. Hot glue or carefully glue them to the back of the topper, placing them as high up as possible without being visible. This will provide extra stability to your cake topper.

Step 5: Final Touches:

Insert your DIY glitter cake topper into the cake, and you're done! You can also add additional decorations to your topper, such as paper flowers or handmade wooden figures, to match your wedding theme.

Using recycled materials

There are many ways to create DIY wedding cake toppers using recycled materials. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Using CDs

Recycled CDs are a great base for a wedding cake topper. You can paint over the CD with acrylics to create a design that matches your wedding colours. For example, if your wedding colours are red, white, and blue, you can paint the CD to match. You can also paint details such as the groom's hair colour or the bride's bouquet.

Using Paper

Paper is a versatile material that can be used to create a variety of cake topper designs. You can print or draw custom designs, cut them out, and glue them to bamboo skewers. This method allows for a lot of customization and can be made to match your wedding theme. For a rustic wedding, consider using burlap or twine to create a banner cake topper. You can also use glitter paper or cardstock to add a touch of sparkle.

Using Food Items

If you're looking for an edible cake topper, you can use food items such as gum paste, fondant, and colouring gels to create bride and groom figures. This method may take some time and practice to perfect, but it's a fun and unique way to top your wedding cake. You can also use sugar glue, tulle, and floral wire to create a veil for the bride figure.

Using Cricut Machine

If you have access to a Cricut machine, you can create a variety of custom cake topper designs. You can use glitter cardstock, poster board, and bamboo skewers to create a sturdy and stylish topper. This method allows for a lot of customization, and you can download free printable designs or create your own.

Remember, when creating your own wedding cake topper, it's important to let your creativity shine and make something that reflects your personal style. Have fun with the process and don't be afraid to experiment with different materials and designs!

Using scrapbook paper

Choosing the Right Paper

Select a sturdy cardstock or glitter cardstock in your desired colour. You can find these at craft stores like Michaels. If you want a glitter effect without the mess, look for paper with glitter pressed into it rather than loose glitter that can flake off. You can also use poster board for backing support and bamboo skewers or toothpicks to secure the topper to the cake.

Designing the Topper

If you're feeling creative, design your own topper using a program like InDesign or Illustrator. Add a stroke to the lettering or underscore slender fonts with a thick line to ensure they hold their shape. You can also search for free printable designs or templates online.

Cutting the Topper

Use a cutting machine like the Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker to cut out your design. If you don't have a cutting machine, you can cut the topper by hand using a craft knife or scissors. Cut the topper a couple of inches smaller than the diameter of your cake.

Assembling the Topper

Glue the topper to the bamboo skewers or toothpicks using ModPodge or SuperGlue. If you want extra durability, cut and glue a second mirrored version of the design to the back. Allow the glue to dry completely before placing it on your cake.

Final Touches

If desired, add some sparkle or confetti to your topper using clear acetate and your choice of confetti. Secure the confetti with double-sided adhesive tape or a hot glue gun.

With these steps, you can create a beautiful and personalised wedding cake topper using scrapbook paper. It's a fun project that will add a special touch to your big day.

Frequently asked questions