Attaching Fresh Flowers To A Wedding Cake

Flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding cake, but it's important to know how to attach them safely. The key concern is creating a barrier between the flowers and the cake to prevent fluid from the stems seeping into the cake and ruining its appearance and taste. There are several methods to do this, including wrapping stems in floral tape, using bubble tea straws, and placing a cake board on top of the cake to create a flower top. It's also crucial to choose flowers that are safe for use on cakes, avoiding toxic varieties such as hydrangeas and lilies. With the right preparation and materials, you can confidently add fresh flowers to a wedding cake.

Choosing flowers: Opt for non-toxic flowers like roses, carnations, and spray roses. Avoid toxic flowers like mistletoe, poinsettia, and holly

When choosing flowers for a wedding cake, it's important to select non-toxic varieties that have been grown safely to avoid any health risks to your guests. Here are some tips for choosing the right flowers:

Opt for Non-Toxic Flowers

Non-toxic flowers are those that won't cause serious harm if they come into contact with the cake or are accidentally ingested. While fresh flowers will never be 100% food safe, there are plenty of beautiful options that can be used to decorate your wedding cake. Some popular non-toxic flowers include:

• Roses
• Carnations
• Spray roses
• Snapdragons
• Sunflowers
• Hibiscus
• Nasturtiums
• Thyme
• Chamomile
• Violets
• Lavender
• Marigold
• Cornflower
• Wax flowers
• Strawflowers
• Thistle
• Jasmine Officinale
• Echinacea
• Orlaya Grandiflora

Avoid Toxic Flowers

It's crucial to avoid toxic or poisonous flowers on your wedding cake, as they can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, nausea, and even more severe symptoms. Some toxic flowers to stay away from include:

• Mistletoe
• Poinsettia
• Holly
• Lilies (including lily of the valley)
• Craspedia/Billy Ball
• Frangipani/Plumeria
• Daffodils
• Delphinium
• Foxglove
• Baby's Breath
• Sweet Pea
• Azaleas
• Calla Lily
• Hyacinth
• Agapanthus
• Amaryllis
• Ferns

Source Flowers Carefully

When choosing flowers for your wedding cake, it's essential to consider not only the flower type but also the way they have been grown. Commercial flowers treated with fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides may not be safe to use. Instead, opt for organic flowers or source directly from a grower who doesn't use chemicals. This way, you can be confident that your chosen flowers are safe to decorate your cake.

Using a barrier: Use food-safe materials like clear plastic straws or flower picks to create a barrier between the flowers and the cake

When decorating a wedding cake with fresh flowers, it is important to create a protective barrier between the flowers and the cake. This is because the fluids from the flower stems can leak into the cake, affecting the taste and appearance. Here are some ways to create a barrier using food-safe materials:

Using Clear Plastic Straws

Clear bubble tea straws are thick, plastic straws that can be used to secure flowers onto a cake. To use this method, cut the straws to a few inches in length and insert them into the cake at the desired angle. Then, simply slip the flower stem into the straw opening. This method is ideal for adding flowers to the sides of the cake or positioning them at specific angles. It is important to use clear straws so that they are invisible if they are not fully inserted into the cake.

Using Flower Picks

Flower spikes or picks are plastic casings specifically designed to hold flowers on cakes. They are cylinder-shaped, with a width similar to bubble straws and a length of about 3 to 4 inches. One end of the cylinder has a closed, pointed tip that is poked into the cake, while the other end has an opening for the flowers. The outer surface of the spikes is usually studded to help them stay in place. When using flower spikes, there is no need to wrap the flower stems as they will not come into direct contact with the cake. However, grouping multiple flowers together or using tissue to pad the insides of the spike may be necessary for a secure fit.

Using a Cake Board

Another way to create a barrier is by placing a cake board, such as a cardboard cake round, on top of the frosted cake. This allows you to create a flower "top" by adding frosting and arranging flowers on the board. When it is time to serve the cake, simply remove the board with a large offset spatula. This method ensures that the flowers never come into direct contact with the cake, eliminating the need to wrap stems or use only edible flowers.

Wrapping Stems

If you plan to insert flower stems directly into the cake, it is important to wrap the stems with food-safe materials. Floral tape, a self-adhesive tape that usually comes in green shades, can be used to wrap each individual stem tightly and prevent fluid leakage. However, it is important to note that floral tape is not considered food-safe in some countries due to the glue it contains. An alternative option is to wrap the stems with cling wrap or foil before inserting them into the cake.

Preparing the flowers: Cut and hydrate the stems, then wrap them in food-safe floral tape to prevent leakage into the cake

Preparing fresh flowers for a wedding cake requires several steps to ensure the flowers are safe to use and present well. Firstly, the flowers should be allowed to hydrate overnight in clean water. This will ensure they are in the best condition before you cut them. Once they have fully hydrated, cut the stems to approximately 2-3 inches long. This will make it easier to handle the flowers and arrange them on the cake. After cutting, wrap the stems in food-safe floral tape. This creates a barrier between the flower and the cake, specifically at the bottom of the stem, to prevent any leakage of flower secretion into the cake. Floral tape is a special type of tape that sticks to itself and usually comes in different shades of green. It is important to note that floral tape is not considered food-safe in the UK due to the glue it contains, so be sure to use a food-safe option. Tightly wrap each individual flower stem with the floral tape and twist the end of the tape to secure it in place and prevent any fluid from leaking into the cake.

Arranging the flowers: Start with the largest blooms first to create a sense of shape and balance, then add smaller buds and greenery for movement

When arranging flowers on a wedding cake, it is important to start with the largest blooms first. This will help you create a sense of shape and balance, providing a foundation for the rest of your floral arrangement. After adding the largest blooms, you can then fill in the gaps with smaller buds and greenery, creating movement and texture within the design.

When selecting your flowers, opt for a mix of larger blooms and smaller buds in complementary colours. For instance, you could choose roses or carnations as your focal points, and then add spray roses, lisianthus, or wax flowers as your accent pieces. Don't be afraid to play around with different combinations to find what works best for your cake.

As you arrange the flowers, consider the overall composition and how the flowers will look from different angles. You want the cake to look stunning from all sides, so try to distribute the flowers evenly, creating a balanced and harmonious design. Remember to step back and assess your work from a distance, as this will give you a better sense of the overall impact of the floral arrangement.

When working with fresh flowers, it's important to handle them with care to avoid damaging the petals or stems. Work gently and deliberately, and if you need to adjust a flower's position, do so carefully to avoid any breakage.

In addition to the flowers themselves, you can also incorporate greenery to add depth and interest to your arrangement. Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves make excellent accents and are generally safer to use than cultivated greenery. They provide a delicate and natural touch to your cake design while ensuring food safety.

Timing: Add flowers to the cake as close to the event as possible to ensure they look their best. Flowers can last 6-8 hours with refrigeration

Flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding cake, but they are delicate and require careful handling. To ensure your flowers look their best, it is essential to add them to the cake as close to the event as possible.

Fresh flowers have a limited lifespan and will only last a few hours without refrigeration. If you want your flowers to look vibrant and fresh, it is best to add them to the cake on the day of the event. If you are short on time or need to prepare the cake ahead of time, you can extend the lifespan of the flowers by refrigerating them. Refrigerated flowers can last up to 6-8 hours, giving you a larger time frame to work with.

When planning the timing for adding flowers to your wedding cake, it is crucial to consider the type of flowers you are using, the environment they will be in, and the duration of the event. Some flowers are more delicate and prone to wilting than others, so choosing heartier varieties or keeping them chilled can help prolong their beauty. Additionally, if your event is outdoors or in a warm venue, refrigeration may be essential to prevent premature wilting.

By adding the flowers to the cake just before the event, you can be confident that they will look their best when the cake is presented and enjoyed by the guests. This careful timing ensures that the delicate beauty of the flowers complements the elegance of the wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions