Choosing The Right Number Of Flowers For Your Wedding Cake

Flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding cake, but how do you choose which ones to use? There are many factors to consider, such as the type of flowers, the cost, and the safety of your guests. Fresh flowers are a popular choice, but it's important to be aware that some varieties are toxic and could be harmful if consumed. Sugar flowers are a great alternative, as they are food safe and can be made to look incredibly realistic. Wafer paper flowers and silk or fabric flowers are also options to consider, each with their own pros and cons. Ultimately, the choice of flowers for your wedding cake depends on your personal preference, budget, and the overall theme of your wedding.

Fresh flowers vs. sugar flowers

When it comes to wedding cakes, fresh flowers and sugar flowers both have their pros and cons. Here is a detailed breakdown to help you decide which option is best for your special day.

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes as they create a natural, relaxed look. They are also a simple and inexpensive way to elevate a simple cake, especially if you are working with a tight budget. Fresh flowers can be used to match the wedding flowers, assuming they are sourced from the same florist. This helps to create a cohesive look for the wedding.

However, one of the main challenges with fresh flowers is that not all varieties are food-safe. Many popular wedding flowers, such as gypsophila (baby's breath) and eucalyptus, are toxic and should not be placed on a cake. It is important to do your research and ensure that the flowers you choose are non-toxic and properly prepared to avoid any health risks for your guests.

Another consideration is that fresh flowers are prone to wilting, especially if they have weak stems or if the weather is warm. They may only look their best for the first few hours, while a wedding cake is typically on display for a much longer duration.

Additionally, fresh flowers require careful preparation to make them safe for use on a cake. The stems need to be wrapped, and a barrier must be created between the petals or leaves and the cake to prevent direct contact. This process can be time-consuming and may incur additional costs from your florist.

Sugar Flowers

Sugar flowers, on the other hand, are made from edible materials such as gumpaste, fondant, wafer paper, or bean paste. They are completely food-safe and can be customised to match any colour, size, or style. Sugar flowers are a great option if you want a particular type of flower that is out of season, as they can be crafted all year round.

Sugar flowers are also highly durable and can last forever if stored correctly, making them a great keepsake from your wedding day. They are delicate and require a skilled cake designer to create and arrange them securely on the cake.

The main disadvantage of sugar flowers is their cost. They are labour-intensive and can take hours to create, which is reflected in the price. Sugar flowers are a premium option and may not be suitable for couples on a tight budget.

In conclusion, both fresh flowers and sugar flowers have their advantages and drawbacks. Fresh flowers are a more affordable option but come with food safety concerns and a higher risk of wilting. Sugar flowers are food-safe and long-lasting but come with a higher price tag. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs, budget, and design preferences for your wedding cake.

Pros and cons of fresh flowers

Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes, and for good reason. They are cost-effective, quick to purchase, and can be easily matched to the rest of the wedding flowers and decor. They are also versatile, working with all kinds of cakes, from classic to contemporary.

However, fresh flowers have a few drawbacks. They can wilt and dehydrate quickly, especially if they are weak-stemmed flowers or if the weather is warm. Some flowers are also toxic or treated with pesticides, which limits the options and poses a risk to guests if not handled correctly. Fresh flowers are also subject to seasonality, so certain varieties may not be available at the time of the wedding.

Pros of Fresh Flowers:

• They are beautiful and can look incredible on a wedding cake.
• They are budget-friendly, often costing less than artificial flowers.
• They can be matched perfectly to the rest of the wedding flowers, creating a cohesive look.
• They are versatile and can be used to create different styles, from classic and romantic to rustic and relaxed.
• They have a wonderful scent that can enhance the overall experience.

Cons of Fresh Flowers:

• Some flowers are prone to wilting, especially in warm weather, and may only look their best for the first few hours of the display.
• Toxic and pesticide-treated flowers can be dangerous if consumed, limiting the options and requiring careful handling.
• Seasonality can affect the availability of certain flower varieties, so your desired choice may not be accessible at the time of your wedding.
• Fresh flowers may not last for more than a day, requiring last-minute preparations.

When deciding whether to use fresh flowers on your wedding cake, it is important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages to make an informed choice that aligns with your preferences and circumstances.

Pros and cons of sugar flowers

The number of flowers you should use for your wedding cake depends on the type of flowers you choose and the overall design you have in mind. Here are some pros and cons of using sugar flowers to help you decide:

Pros of Sugar Flowers:

• Food Safety: Sugar flowers are made from edible materials, ensuring that your cake is safe to consume. While they may contain wires to hold their shape or fabric stamens, these parts are usually safely covered by an experienced wedding cake designer trained in food safety.
• Design Flexibility: Sugar flowers can be easily shaped and manipulated due to the wires, allowing for beautifully curved branches or S-shaped flower bouquets. This gives you more freedom to create the exact design you desire.
• Customisability: Sugar flowers can be customised to replicate any flower you want, in any size or style. They can also be coloured to match your wedding theme, including metallic shades like gold or silver.
• Seasonal Availability: Sugar flowers are not limited by seasonality. You can have your favourite flowers on your cake regardless of the time of year, ensuring a cohesive look with your bouquet or centrepieces.
• Longevity: Sugar flowers have a long shelf life and can be kept as a keepsake to remind you of your special day. However, they should be stored in a low-humidity environment, such as a keepsake glass box.

Cons of Sugar Flowers:

• Cost: Sugar flowers are highly technical to create and, therefore, expensive. The intricate process of crafting each flower by hand can take anywhere from an hour to seven hours or more, driving up the price.
• Delicacy: Sugar flowers are fragile and prone to breakage. While this is mainly a concern during transportation and setup, a skilled wedding cake designer will know how to handle and secure them properly.
• Expertise Required: Sugar flowers demand a proficient cake designer. Inexperienced cake makers may not produce the desired results or ensure food safety, as sugar flowers often contain inedible supports like wires, loose tape, and cocktail sticks.
• Limited Colour Options: Sugar flowers tend to come in paler, more chic shades, which may not align with your desired colour scheme.

How to prepare fresh flowers for a wedding cake

Fresh flowers are a beautiful, budget-friendly way to decorate a wedding cake, and can be perfectly safe to use as long as you follow the correct procedures. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing fresh flowers for a wedding cake:

Step 1: Choosing the Flowers

Firstly, you need to select the flowers you want to use. It is important to choose flowers that are in season and, if possible, organic or untreated with pesticides. Some popular choices for wedding cakes include roses, herbs, bay, dahlias, peonies, jasmine, and marigolds. However, be aware that many popular wedding flowers, such as gypsophila (baby's breath) and eucalyptus, are toxic and should be avoided.

Step 2: Buying the Flowers

When buying fresh flowers for a wedding cake, it is best to purchase them from a florist or a flower market. It is a good idea to buy more flowers than you think you need, as some may wilt or not look their best by the time you need to use them. Choose a variety of large and small flowers, as well as some leaves, to create a full and interesting display.

Step 3: Keeping Flowers Fresh

To keep your flowers fresh until you are ready to use them, follow the instructions on the packet of flower vitamins provided by the florist and keep the flowers in water.

Step 4: Preparing the Flowers

To prepare the flowers for the cake, cut the stems to the desired length, then wrap them in floral tape to prevent any fluids from leaking into the cake. You can also use a product called Safety Seal, which is a food-safe wax that can be melted and dipped into, or use chocolate as a seal. If you are concerned about bugs, you can glaze the flowers and leaves with melted cocoa butter or shea butter.

Step 5: Adding Flowers to the Cake

There are several ways to add flowers to a cake. If you want to place them directly into the cake, you can use bubble tea straws to help keep them in place and at the correct angle. Alternatively, you can place a cake board on top of the cake and arrange the flowers on that, so they never come into direct contact with the cake. This method also means you don't need to wrap the stems.

Step 6: Timing

Fresh flowers should be added to the cake as close to the event as possible, preferably on the same day, to ensure they look their best.

Alternatives to fresh flowers

When it comes to wedding cakes, fresh flowers are a popular choice. However, there are some concerns about the safety of certain flowers, and couples may want to opt for alternatives to fresh flowers. Here are some ideas for alternatives that will make your wedding cake stand out:

Sugar Flowers

Sugar flowers are a speciality of some cake designers and can be made in any colour and variety, including those that are out of season or unsafe to use as fresh flowers. They are completely food-safe and can be kept as a lasting memento of your wedding day. Sugar flowers are placed on the cake by a professional cake designer, who will ensure that they are securely attached. While they may be more expensive, they are a stunning and luxurious option that showcases the designer's skill.

Wafer Paper Flowers

Wafer paper flowers are a more recent trend in cake decoration and are a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative to fresh flowers. They can be handmade, which makes them more expensive, but they are a work of art in themselves. Wafer paper flowers can be created in any colour to match your wedding decor and can even be kept and reused for other special occasions.

Silk or Fabric Flowers

Silk or fabric flowers are another option for your wedding cake. While they may be slightly more expensive than fresh flowers, they do not wilt and are non-toxic. Fabric flowers can be a great way to include varieties that may not be available fresh, such as peonies in December. However, the selection of colours and varieties may be more limited, and they may not perfectly match your wedding bouquet.

Buttercream or Fondant Flowers

Creating flowers out of buttercream or fondant is a great way to ensure food safety and avoid the potential hazards of fresh flowers. These flowers are piped directly onto the cake, adding a whimsical and romantic touch. Fondant flowers can be made in advance and stored, while buttercream flowers should be used soon after they are made to ensure they don't melt or lose their shape.

Edible Flowers

Some flowers are completely edible and can be placed directly on the cake. Examples include snapdragons, lavender, sunflowers, roses, hibiscus, and chrysanthemums. Just be sure to check that the specific variety of flower you choose is safe for consumption and has been grown in food-safe conditions.

Flowers Around the Cake

If you want to include fresh flowers that may not be safe for direct contact with the cake, consider placing them around the cake as a garland or in vases. This way, you can still enjoy the beauty of fresh flowers without any safety concerns.

Foam Between Cake Tiers

For a multi-tiered cake, you can add flowers to a piece of foam placed between the layers. This method ensures that the flowers do not come into direct contact with the cake, reducing the risk of contamination.

Other Creative Options

• Hand-painted buttercream flowers or greenery to match your wedding colour palette.
• Fruit petals and dehydrated citrus slices for a unique, natural look.
• Metallic gold or silver accents on buttercream for a modern and elegant touch.
• Fake flowers that are clean and food-safe can be used if you want a no-fuss option.

Remember, it's important to communicate with your cake designer about your flower choices and any relevant food safety guidelines. They will be able to advise you on the best alternatives to fresh flowers and create a stunning display that suits your wedding theme.

Frequently asked questions