Building A Nautical Wedding Cake Stand: A Step-By-Step Guide

Nautical-themed weddings are a popular choice for many couples, and a nautic wedding cake stand can be a beautiful centrepiece for the reception. You can make your own nautic wedding cake stand using wood, glue, and leftover lumber. This is a great option if you're looking for a unique and affordable cake stand, as many pre-made stands can be expensive. There are a few things to keep in mind when building your own cake stand, such as making sure the base is large enough to support the plate and using waterproof glue to ensure the stand is sturdy and can be easily cleaned.

Cutting a pyramid base

To cut a pyramid base, you'll need to assemble the triangle sides with their long sides on the base to make four sides of the pyramid. You can use wood glue to secure the pyramid structure.

The angles you use to cut the pyramid faces will depend on the shape of the pyramid. For a pyramid with a square base, the VA is 45*. The SA is chosen by the designer to give the pyramid a desired aspect ratio. For example, a high SA value would make the pyramid very tall relative to the base. For a 60* SA, the MGA would be 63.43 and the bevel would be 37.76.

If you're making an equilateral triangle pyramid, the angles would need to be 60* each and half of that would be 30*. So 60* for the corner angles and 30* for the joint bevels.

Using a miter saw

When using a miter saw, safety should always be your first priority. Ensure that the saw is bolted to a stable work surface or securely clamped onto a miter saw stand. Check that cuts are square when the gauge is set to 90 degrees. You can refer to the manufacturer's guide for instructions on fine-tuning blade alignment.

The "miter" in miter saw refers to its ability to cut angled miters. The saw rotates from side to side and can crosscut wood at different angles. This feature is useful for making picture frames and boxes with miter joints. Two 45-degree miter cuts come together to form a 90-degree angle. While this is an easy way to join wood, it is not the strongest joint. Compound miter saws can also tilt to cut a bevel angle.

To use a miter saw, first, connect the saw to a power supply and turn on the power switch. Measure and mark a line across the stock to be cut. Place the board onto the saw, flush against the saw fence at the back of the base. Loosen the handle on the miter gauge at the front of the saw, depress the lock handle, and pivot the blade to the desired angle. Tighten the handle on the miter gauge. Lower the handle to check the point where the blade meets the wood.

You can also adjust the bevel gauge at the rear of the saw to tilt the blade to the correct angle. Use the gauge on the front of the saw to set the miter angle for the cut. Make any necessary adjustments and follow the above steps to complete the cut. Settings for common miter-bevel combination cuts and other miter saw uses can often be found in charts included with operation guides for compound miter saws.

Gluing the pieces together

Before gluing, you should make sure your surfaces are clean and dry. You can use some sandpaper to roughen up the centre of the plate and the edge of the base that will be attached to the plate. However, some people find that E6000 is strong enough, and they have never sanded the surfaces when making cake stands in the past.

If you are making a nautical cake stand, you may want to use wood, which can be leftover lumber, or you could buy a personalised wooden cake stand.

Sanding the edges

There are a few different ways to sand the edges of wood. One method is to use a powered sander. This can be an effective way to quickly remove material and create a smooth surface. However, for smaller workpieces or profiled edges, a powered sander may not be the best choice. In these cases, hand-sanding is often the best option. This involves wrapping sandpaper around a dowel or other round objects, or using contour sanding grips, to get into tight spaces and create a smooth, rounded edge.

If you are using a powered sander, it is important to start with a coarse grit, such as 80, to remove material quickly. You can then switch to a finer grit, such as 120, to create a smoother finish. Remember that wood generally does not need to be sanded past 220-240 grit, as the returns will be diminishing.

For the nautic wedding cake stand, you may want to consider using a combination of power sanding and hand sanding to achieve the best results. Start by using a powered sander to quickly remove any excess material and create a basic shape. Then, switch to hand sanding to smooth out any rough spots and create a more precise, rounded edge. This will ensure that the stand is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Decorating the stand

When decorating a nautical wedding cake stand, there are a few key elements to consider. Firstly, the stand itself can be made from wood, with a round or square base and a cupcake riser. You could also opt for a glass stand, which can be engraved with personalised details.

For a rustic wedding, consider using a charcuterie board as your cake stand, decorated with nautical-themed items such as rope, seashells, and starfish. If you're looking for something more elegant, a glass or porcelain cake stand with blue and white chinoiserie patterns can add a touch of sophistication to your nautical theme.

Another option is to use a vintage cake stand with a nautical topper, such as a boat or anchor. This can be a unique and surprising element for your wedding cake. You could also incorporate nautical colours such as navy, white, and shades of blue into your cake stand and decorations.

Finally, don't forget the small details, such as using rope or twine to tie around the cake stand or incorporating nautical-themed charms or trinkets. You can also add personalised touches, such as engraving your names or wedding date on the stand.

Frequently asked questions